Classic Deli Chicken Salad Recipe | CookOS

Classic Deli Chicken Salad

Name: Classic Deli Chicken Salad Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 (12.5 ounce) cans white chicken breast in water, drained; 2 stalks celery; 1/4 red onion; 3/4 cup mayonnaise; 3 tsp dijon mustard; 1 tbsp sweet relish; 1 tsp all-purpose Greek seasoning; Crackers, for serving; Mini bell peppers, for serving

This classic deli chicken salad combines canned white chicken breast with finely minced celery, red onion, and a creamy mayo-Dijon base. The key to perfect texture is mincing all vegetables uniformly for consistency in every bite.

🌍American 🏷️Chicken salad 🏷️Deli-style 🏷️Salad 🏷️Dip Classic

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Total

40 min

Servings

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$19–$31

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by jackiehartlaub

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Ingredients

2 (12.5 ounce) cans white chicken breast in water, drained
2 stalks celery
1/4 red onion
3/4 cup mayonnaise
3 tsp dijon mustard
1 tbsp sweet relish
1 tsp all-purpose Greek seasoning
Crackers, for servingoptional
Mini bell peppers, for servingoptional

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Instructions

1
Finely mince the red onion.
2
Prepare the celery by removing the tough outer strings with a vegetable peeler or by snapping the stalk and pulling them off. Then, finely mince the celery.
3
Drain the canned chicken and add it to a large mixing bowl. Use your hands or a fork to shred the chicken into fine pieces.
4
Add the minced celery and red onion to the bowl with the chicken.
5
Add the Greek seasoning, mayonnaise, dijon mustard, and sweet relish to the bowl.
6
Mix all ingredients together until thoroughly combined.
7
Transfer the chicken salad to a container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
8
Serve with crackers, mini bell peppers, or on a sandwich.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Drain the canned chicken thoroughly and break it into fine, uniform pieces before mixing to achieve a cohesive texture rather than large shreds.
Mince celery and red onion as finely as possible by hand or food processor—small, uniform pieces ensure even flavor distribution in every bite.
Use full-fat mayonnaise for authentic deli-style creaminess; light mayo will result in a thinner, less satisfying consistency.
Fold in ingredients gently after mixing mayo, mustard, and relish together to avoid overworking the chicken, which can make it mushy.

Substitutions

Mayonnaise → Greek yogurt (lighter, tangier; use 1/2 cup mayo + 1/4 cup yogurt to maintain creaminess)
Dijon mustard → whole grain mustard (earthier flavor with visible seeds)
Sweet relish → diced dill pickle or pickle relish (more savory, less sugar)
Greek seasoning → garlic powder + dried oregano (1/2 tsp + 1/4 tsp for similar Mediterranean notes)

Storage & make-ahead

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2–3 days. Do not freeze.

Common Questions

Can I make this chicken salad ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare the salad up to 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors deepen as it sits.

What's the purpose of finely mincing the vegetables?

Mincing ensures even distribution of celery and onion throughout the salad so every forkful has the same creamy, savory texture without large vegetable chunks.