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    Delmarvalicious Dishes » Recipes

    Classic Chicken Salad (Gluten Free)

    Published: Jul 26, 2023 · Modified: Jan 8, 2024 by Lynne Kenton · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

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    Classic Chicken Salad (Gluten Free) is the ultimate chicken salad recipe! Made with simple ingredients and pantry staples, this creamy chicken salad recipe is a perfect light dinner or weekday lunch! 

    Chicken Salad (Gluten Free) in lettuce cups on a serving platter with grapes.

    My secret ingredient in this chicken salad is....TARRAGON! This herb is slightly spicy and citrusy and goes a long way in chicken salad. 

    Chicken salad is the perfect big batch recipe to prepare ahead of time and serve for large gatherings such as birthday parties or bridal showers. If you are looking for another simple recipe to serve for large crowds, try this Roasted Tomato and Corn Pasta Salad.  Made with plenty of fresh herbs, this pasta salad holds up well and tastes better the next day. Or, try this Herby Lemon Orzo Salad with Roasted Vegetables for a recipe that everyone will love! 

    Jump to:
    • Easy and Classic Chicken Salad (Gluten Free) Details 
    • Ingredients/Substitutions
    • Instructions
    • How to Serve
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Top tip
    • FAQ
    • Related
    • Pairing
    • 📖 Recipe

    Easy and Classic Chicken Salad (Gluten Free) Details 

    Flavor: ​This chicken salad has a slightly tangy flavor thanks to the herbs and mustard. The creamy dressing gives the chicken salad a smooth texture. 

    Time: ​You can make this chicken salad in about 15 minutes (not including the time to cook the chicken). 

    Level of Difficulty: ​Super Simple! A little shredding, chopping and mixing, and you will have a delicious chicken salad recipe to enjoy! 

    Ingredients/Substitutions

    ​This Easy and Classic Chicken Salad (Gluten Free) recipe comes together with basic, everyday ingredients. No need to run to multiple grocery stores looking for fancy ingredients. Check out your refrigerator and pantry to find these ingredients or substitutions. 

    Chicken Salad Ingredients: shredded chicken breast, mayonnaise, celery, red onion, salt, pepper, Dijon mustard, tarragon, chives and thyme.
    • Shredded Chicken: I prefer to use boneless skinless chicken breasts. You could use chicken thighs or chicken tenders. Or, you could even use store-bought rotisserie chicken to make this really easy. I will teach you how to get the most perfect shredded chicken in this post!
    • Celery Stalks: Fresh, crisp celery tastes best in this easy chicken salad recipe. 
    • Red Onion
    • Salt
    • Black Pepper
    • Mayonnaise: Duke's Mayo is my favorite and it is naturally gluten free. Make sure that the mayo you use is gluten free. You can also substitute Greek yogurt or sour cream (I don't recommend using all sour cream. Use 50% sour cream, 50% mayo). 
    • Mustard: I prefer to use a spicy brown mustard or a Dijon mustard in this recipe for extra flavor. 
    • Fresh Tarragon, Chives and Thyme: I find that fresh herbs give the best taste. If you don't have these exact herbs, substitute in herbs that you like such as fresh parsley or fresh dill. 
    • Fresh Lemon Juice 

    Instructions

    Let's Get Cookin'!

    1. Make the Chicken. ​My favorite way to make the chicken is to use boneless chicken breasts and cook them in the crockpot. Season both sides of the chicken breast with salt and pepper. Pour about ¼ cup of chicken broth into the crockpot. Cook on low for 4 hours until chicken is cooked through. If you are using leftover rotisserie chicken, you can skip this step. 
    2. Shred the Chicken. ​You can shred the chicken with a fork and a knife when the chicken is at room temperature. Or, use this time saving trick! While the chicken is still warm, place the chicken in the bowl of your stand mixer. Mix chicken using the paddle attachment on low speed for about a minute until chicken is thinly shredded. 
    3. Mix the ingredients. ​Place chicken in a large mixing bowl. If you shredded the chicken using the mixer, the chicken can stay in that bowl. Add the celery, red onion, mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, tarragon, chives and thyme. Stir together. Taste to add seasoning or additional mayonnaise or mustard. You don't want the chicken salad to be dry. 
    Chicken breasts in crock pot seasoned with salt and pepper

    Add chicken to a crockpot. Season with salt and pepper. Pour ¼ cup chicken broth in bottom of pot. Cook on low for 2- 4 hours until chicken is cooked through.

    Cooked chicken breast in a stand mixer ready to be shredded.

    Shred chicken in stand mixer.

    All ingredients for Chicken Salad (Gluten Free) in a large mixing bowl prior to mixing

    Mix all ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.

    How to Serve

     This recipe is naturally gluten free. To keep it gluten free, try serving the chicken salad: 

    • In Butter Lettuce Cups: Think of these lettuce cups as mini wraps for your chicken salad!
    • Over a Salad: Grab all of the your favorite salad ingredients such as romaine lettuce, crunchy veggies, dried fruit and nuts to make a delicious salad! 
    • As a chicken salad sandwiches: ​To keep this recipe gluten free, be sure to grab your favorite gluten-free bread. Serve with lettuce and tomato! 
    • Serve for a crowd: ​Serve this homemade chicken salad to feed a crowd. Have a tray of lettuce wraps, a tray of croissants or buns and the chicken salad. Let guests choose how to eat their chicken salad. Pasta salads and potato chips pair perfectly! 
    Chicken Salad (Gluten Free) in a serving bowl with a spoon. Red grapes, lettuce and tomato are next to serving bowl to be served with the chicken salad.

    Variations

    Make it healthier: ​substitute plain Greek yogurt in place of the mayonnaise. 

    Make a Maryland version: ​season with Old Bay! A Chesapeake tradition! 

    Make a deluxe chicken salad: add in sliced red grapes or green grapes, slivered almonds, green onions and/or dried cranberries to make a filling and tasty chicken salad! 

    Equipment

    ​No fancy equipment is needed to make this chicken salad! 

    • Crockpot ​(if not using leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken)
    • Stand Mixer with Paddle Attachment (to shred chicken)
    • Large Bowl
    • Large Spoon or Spatula 
    • Airtight Container ​(for storage) 

    Storage

    ​Store this Classic Chicken Salad refrigerated in an airtight container. Enjoy this chicken salad within 3-4 days of making. You can prepare this recipe the day before. Be sure to stir chicken salad before serving. Add additional mayo and/or seasonings if needed. 

    Top tip

    ​Use a stand mixer to shred the chicken! It is the easiest way to get thinly sliced chicken pieces that mixes perfectly with the other ingredients. Plus, you won't burn or cut yourself while cutting the chicken. 

    FAQ

    Does chicken salad contain gluten? 

    No, most chicken salad is naturally gluten-free. However, be sure to check the ingredients, what is mixed in the chicken salad and what the chicken salad is served with before consuming. 

    What can I put in chicken salad besides bread? 

    Serve chicken salad on gluten-free crackers, in a butter lettuce cup or on a wrap for healthy alternatives to bread! 

    Why does my chicken salad taste bland? 

    Chicken salad can taste bland if there are not any seasoning or fun mix-ins. To keep chicken salad from tasting bland, season with salt and pepper, stir in fresh herbs, add in seedless grapes, green onion or red wine vinegar for different ways to spice up chicken salad! 

    Related

    Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

    • Salmon fillets on baking sheet with asparagus and potatoes.
      Honey Butter Old Bay Salmon (Easy Sheet Pan Dinner)
    • Tray of air fryer chicken tenders with sauces.
      Naked Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (Tysons Chicken) 
    • Two pulled chicken sandwiches stacked on top of each other with Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce and a beer.
      Jack Daniel's Pulled BBQ Chicken (Crockpot Recipe)
    • A delicious bowl of White Chicken Chili served with shredded cheddar cheese, sliced jalapenos, green onions and cornbread.
      Smoky White Chicken Chili with Bacon and Beans

    Pairing

    These are my favorite dishes to serve with Easy and Classic Chicken Salad (Gluten Free):

    • Simple Veggie Charcuterie Board with all of the veggies and dips
      How To Build A Simple Veggie Charcuterie Board
    • Vegetable Bruschetta with cherry tomatoes, zucchini and yellow squash drizzled with a balsamic glaze
      Vegetable Bruschetta with Cherry Tomatoes and Squash
    • Pineapple Baked Beans in a bowl with corn bread and pan of baked beans
      Pineapple Baked Beans (Using Black Beans)
    • Plate with ricotta toast and tomatoes on top.
      Cherry Tomato Ricotta Toast (Easy Appetizer Recipe)

    📖 Recipe

    Gluten Free Chicken Salad on Lettuce Wraps with Red Grapes
    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Easy and Classic Chicken Salad (Gluten Free)

    Easy and Classic Chicken Salad (Gluten Free) is the ultimate chicken salad recipe! Made with simple ingredients and pantry staples, this creamy chicken salad recipe is a perfect light dinner or weekday lunch! 
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Total Time10 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course, Salad
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 311kcal
    Author: Lynne Kenton

    Equipment

    • Slow Cooker
    • Stand Mixer with Paddle Attachment
    • Large Mixing Bowl
    • Large Spoon or Spatula
    • Airtight Container for storing

    Ingredients

    • 1.5 lbs Chicken Breast cooked and shredded
    • 2 Celery Stalks chopped
    • ¼ cup Red Onion chopped
    • Salt and Pepper
    • ¾ cup Mayonaisse
    • 1 tablespoon Spicy Brown Mustard
    • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
    • 1 tablespoon Fresh Tarragon finely chopped
    • 1 tablespoon Fresh Chives finely chopped
    • 1 tablespoon Fresh Thyme finely chopped

    Instructions

    • Add chicken, celery, red onion, mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, tarragon, chives and thyme to a large mixing bowl. Thoroughly mix together. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve in lettuce cups, over salad or on bread.

    Notes

    For the moistest chicken breast, cook chicken in the crockpot. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper. Add ¼ cup chicken broth to the crock pot. Cook on low for 4 hours. Immediately shred chicken. 
    The easiest way to shred chicken is in your stand mixer! Simply, transfer warm boneless chicken breasts directly into the bowl of your stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment, mix on low until chicken is shredded. Now, use your mixing bowl to mix up the chicken salad! 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 6g | Calories: 311kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 1.376mg | Potassium: 477mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 163IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg

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    Comments

    1. Barb Langrall says

      August 23, 2023 at 9:50 am

      5 stars

      I just made this, and it was a perfect hot summer meal, with the ease of the Crock Pot. The fresh herbs are the star of the show, and I have all 3 in my container garden. I tossed in some red grapes for some sweetness. The BIG take away was shredding with my stand mixer...GAME. CHANGER! I was skeptical at first, but just 5-6 rotations and 4 chicken breasts are shredded. I doubled the batch and put 1/2 in the freezer for future use... Fajitas, BBQ, Pad Tai...it will be ready.

      Reply
      • delmarvaliciousdishes says

        August 31, 2023 at 2:14 pm

        I am so happy that you like the recipe! I 100% agree about shredding the chicken. It makes a HUGE difference. I meal prep with shredded chicken all the time!

        Reply
    2. Charlene McConnell says

      August 28, 2023 at 5:26 pm

      5 stars
      This chicken salad was so flavorful and light

      Reply
      • delmarvaliciousdishes says

        August 31, 2023 at 2:15 pm

        Agreed! It is a perfect lunch 🙂

        Reply

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    Lynne Kenton of Delmarvalicious Dishes with ice cream cone

    Hi, I am Lynne and I am happy you are here! I love being in the kitchen welcoming friends and family. At Delmarvalicious Dishes, you will find simple meals, handheld snacks and a mix of coffee and cocktails!

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