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Close-up of a delicious canned chicken salad recipe.

Canned Chicken Salad

Looking for a quick and delicious meal? This canned chicken salad recipe is your answer! It’s easy to prepare and incredibly flavorful, making it perfect for lunch, a light dinner, or a snack.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 250 kcal

Equipment

  • Medium Bowl
  • Fork
  • Strainer

Ingredients
 

Main Ingredients

  • 2 cans canned chicken (12.5 ounces each), drained
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise High-quality mayonnaise recommended
  • 1/4 cup celery finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup red onion finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • to taste salt

Optional Additions

  • To Taste Chopped grapes
  • To Taste Toasted almonds
  • To Taste Curry powder
  • To Taste Dried cranberries
  • To Taste Chopped hard-boiled eggs

Instructions
 

  • Drain the canned chicken thoroughly. Use a strainer to remove all the liquid. Gently press the chicken to remove any remaining moisture.
  • In a medium bowl, flake the chicken with a fork to break it up into smaller pieces.
  • Add the mayonnaise, celery, red onion, sweet pickle relish, and Dijon mustard to the bowl.
  • Mix all ingredients until well combined. Be gentle but thorough; you want to combine everything without overmixing. Overmixing can result in a mushy texture.
  • Season with black pepper and salt to taste. You may want to add other spices to enhance the flavor, for example, a pinch of paprika or garlic powder.
  • Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Chilling the salad enhances the taste.

Notes

Serving suggestions: On bread or toast as a sandwich, In lettuce wraps for a light and healthy option, With crackers as a snack, On top of a green salad, Stuffed in a tomato or avocado. Don’t overmix the salad to maintain a good texture. Use high-quality mayonnaise for the best flavor. Add a squeeze of lemon juice for extra brightness.
Keyword Canned Chicken, Chicken Salad, Easy Recipe, Quick Meal