A creamy, crunchy, and tangy chicken salad packed with shredded chicken, crisp vegetables, and dill pickle flavor. Perfect for sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups, or a high-protein lunch.
Ingredients (4 servings)
Chicken Salad Base
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- ¾ cup crunchy dill pickles, finely chopped
- ½ cup celery, finely diced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried dill)
- ¼ cup green onions, sliced (optional)
Creamy Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt (optional for a lighter version)
- 1 tablespoon pickle juice (from the pickle jar)
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard or Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste (pickles already add salt)
Optional Crunch Additions
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or almonds
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- ½ cup diced cucumber
- ½ cup chopped apples (for sweet crunch)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken
- Use cooked chicken breast, thighs, or leftover roasted chicken.
- Shred with forks or chop into small bite-sized pieces.
- Allow chicken to cool before mixing.
2. Make the Dressing
In a bowl, combine:
- mayonnaise
- Greek yogurt
- pickle juice
- mustard
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- pepper
Mix until smooth and creamy.
3. Combine Ingredients
Add to a large bowl:
- chicken
- chopped dill pickles
- celery
- red onion
- fresh dill
Pour dressing over the mixture and gently stir.
4. Chill for Best Flavor
- Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- This allows the pickle and dill flavors to blend.
Serving Ideas
Sandwich
Serve on:
- toasted sourdough
- whole-grain bread
- croissants
Add:
- lettuce
- tomato
- extra pickle slices
Low-Carb Option
Serve in:
- lettuce wraps
- cucumber boats
- avocado halves
Meal Prep
- Store in an airtight container.
- Keeps well in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
Extra Creamy Dill Pickle Flavor Tip
For a stronger pickle taste, add:
- 1 extra tablespoon pickle juice
- extra chopped dill pickles
- a pinch of celery seed
This recipe balances creamy, tangy, salty, and crunchy flavors while keeping the chicken as the main protein source.