Old Fashioned Chicken Salad Sandwiches! This classic comfort recipe is inspired by the one my grandma used to make when I was growing up. It includes chopped chicken, celery, boiled eggs, and pickle relish mixed in a mayonnaise/miracle whip “dressing,” but I also share some variations to try below if you’re partial to nuts, grapes, or curry in your version.

This favorite meal from my childhood is always what I turn to when I need a little comfort – Chicken Salad Sandwiches just can’t be beat.

This dish takes me right back to my grandmother’s kitchen table!

Old Fashioned Chicken Salad in a glass bowl

How To Make Classic Chicken Salad

I’ve started making this meal for my children and they’ve grown to love it as much as I do.

You could add in apples, grapes, or curry for a more “jazzed up” chicken salad. But, this classic version is my favorite. You can’t go wrong with a classic, right?

This is a simple classic chicken salad sandwich recipe which includes shredded and chopped poached chicken, celery, hard-boiled eggs, and pickle relish then mixed in a mayonnaise/miracle whip dressing.

(Be sure to try my Chick-Fil-A Chicken Salad Sandwich too!)

Old Fashioned Chicken Salad, up close

Ingredients/Variations

  • Chicken – use your favorite “fresh” chicken for this recipe. Chicken breasts, chicken thighs are perfect! You can also use a whole chicken or a rotisserie chicken from the store.
  • Eggs – hardboiled
  • Chopped Celery – adds a little crunch and flavor to chicken salad sandwiches
  • Dill – you don’t have to add dill but I love the flavor it brings
  • Mayonnaise/Miracle Whip – I like a mixture of both for this recipe. It adds a perfect tanginess
  • Nuts/Fruit – a lot of people love to add walnuts, pecans, and grapes

How to Cook Chicken for Chicken Salad Sandwiches

This easy chicken recipe can use pretty much any kind of chicken but I prefer to use chicken breasts that have been boiled before shredding and chopping. I’ve used a rotisserie chicken in a pinch and even cooked a whole chicken that is my absolute for the best flavor!

Chicken Salad in a glass bowl with a tea towel and wooden spoon

Freezing Chicken Salad

I wouldn’t recommend freezing chicken salad. Mayonnaise dishes usually don’t turn out after they’ve been in the freezer. If you want to make chicken salad sandwiches ahead of time, the salad itself will last in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days; assemble into sandwiches, wrap them in plastic wrap, and they’ll be good in the fridge for a day or two.

Old Fashioned Chicken Salad Sandwich on white plate

As hard as I’ve tried, my version isn’t exactly like what my grandmother would make and there isn’t a recipe written down. This is pretty close with the addition of dill – which I love! And, I use whole wheat bread for chicken salad sandwiches instead of the more traditional white bread. It’s still yummy! If you prefer, you can make your sandwiches with a croissant cut in half lengthwise or stuff the chicken salad into pita bread. It’s also great served in lettuce cups—romaine and butter lettuce both work well.

Old Fashioned Chicken Salad Sandwich cut in half on white plate

More Easy Lunch Recipes

If you’ve enjoyed these chicken salad sandwiches and you’re looking for some more super simple lunch ideas that your whole family will love, we’ve got a bunch of them here on All Things Mamma! Take a look at the recipes below.

Chicken Salad Sandwich

This classic comfort recipe comes from my grandmother and includes chopped chicken, celery, boiled eggs, and pickle relish mixed in a mayonnaise/miracle whip "dressing" - Old Fashioned Chicken Salad!
3.56 from 112 votes
Course: lunch
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients  

  • 3 chicken breasts
  • 3 stalks celery - diced
  • 4-5 hardboiled eggs - diced
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup miracle whip
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vinagar
  • 1 tablespoon dill
  • 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Boil the chicken breasts in pot of water with salt and pepper until tender - about 30 minutes
  • Remove from pot (keeping water in pot) and shred with two forks.
  • Add in diced celery, eggs, and pickle relish
  • In a separate bowl, mix mayo and miracle whip, sugar, dill and vinegar - forming a dressing.
  • Pour mixed dressing over chicken mixture.
  • Stir unill combined.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve on toast or with crackers and a side of noodles.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 439kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 786mg | Potassium: 449mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 217IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @kasey_allthingsmamma or tag #allthingsmamma!

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About Kasey Schwartz

For over 15 years, Kasey Schwartz, the mastermind behind All Things Mamma, has been the ultimate go-to for mouthwatering family recipes. Her work has been featured on Today.com, Buzz Feed, Better Homes and Gardens, and more, making her your go-to mom next door for all things delicious and family-friendly.

Comments

  1. Once again I must correct a recipe. It is RIBS of Celery, not stalks. A stalk refers to the whole plant. A Rib is just one piece of the plant.

    1. Shyanne - ATM Team says:

      Thank you for the feedback, Barbara!

  2. I don’t have Miracle Whip…can sour cream be subbed for it?

    1. Shyanne - ATM Team says:

      We would probably recommend using mayo instead. Please let us know how it goes if you do try it out!

  3. 5 stars
    This is what my mom made. This IS the best chicken salad ever! No need for any changes or substitutions.
    Perfect!! So glad I found your recipe.
    Thank you😊

    1. Shyanne - ATM Team says:

      Thank you so much, Jane!

  4. This is the only recipe I will use in the future. I didn’t have the Miracle Whip or the relish, but it was perfect and so simple. My husband loved the hard boiled eggs in it. Thank you.

    1. Shyanne - ATM Team says:

      Thank YOU, Nancy! We’re so glad you enjoyed it. 😊

  5. Best EVER! says:

    5 stars
    This is it!!! By far the BEST chicken salad. It reminds me of my mothers and I never could get it right before! After reading the ingredients I realized what my mom’s secret ingredient was…..miracle whip. Us kids hated Miracle Whip …. But now I know it is what made her chicken salad the best! My husband agrees this is the best!!

    1. Shyanne - ATM Team says:

      Thank you! We’re so glad you enjoyed it!

  6. Ricky Tanner says:

    5 stars
    Just made it,love it,I added celery seed and garlic powder

    1. Shyanne - ATM Team says:

      Those are great additions! We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Ricky!

  7. Misty D Tinch says:

    5 stars
    This is right on point. The simplest and the best.:)

  8. I have never made this before but was pleasantly surprised in the outcome. I used 3 chicken breasts ( cooked and shredded) and 2 large cans of chicken. Minced them together wtih celery and red onion. I used half mayo and half miracle whip. I added more sugar and spice… a little cayenne, poultry seasoning, more pepper/lemon pepper. I put some pickle juice with relish to help blend the mayo mixture. It got lots of compliments!

  9. 5 stars
    Added balsamic vinegar and apple cider vinegar 1 tsp of each gives a nice kick.

    1. Judy Griffin says:

      I put apple,grapes,and walnuts in mine so I will follow recipe and add these 3 ingredients

      1. Shyanne - ATM Team says:

        We hope you enjoy, Judy! We’ll have to try adding those. 😊

  10. 5 stars
    Made this using a rotisserie chicken.
    Used half cop of mayo, and half cup jalapeño ranch dressing.
    Cider vinegar
    And a squirt of honey instead of sugar
    Used the relish, but didn’t have any dill.
    Will try with dill next time.
    Came out pretty tasty.

    1. Kasey Schwartz says:

      Great to hear!!

  11. Carrie Ochs says:

    How many does this feed?

  12. Barbara K says:

    I made this last week. It was delicious and I don’t care for a lot of chicken salad recipes. Will definitely make this again. May try a few grapes and pecans only because I like them. This recipe is fantastic just the way it is listed. The only thing I changed was I used only Mayo. I don’t buy salad dressing. Yummy.

  13. 5 stars
    Such a favorite, classic dish that I make several times a year!

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