The 18 Best Chicken Salad Recipes, According to a Recipe Developer

One of my fondest food memories from growing up might be the way my grandparents tricked my cousins and me into eating heaps of chicken salad (which we would otherwise carefully avoid) by tucking it into soft, buttery Costco croissants and calling it a chicken sandwich. Was it a lie? Sort of, but also not really, and knowing what I know now about how difficult it can be to feed the picky eaters among us, I think it was a genius move.

Nowadays I enjoy chicken salad whether or not it’s spooned into a croissant. In fact, I enjoy many different kinds of chicken salads, from the creamy classic with mayo and apple (or grapes) that reminds me of my childhood to ones tossed with chili crisp and cucumber and of course the beloved chicken Caesar and Cobb.

So in honor of my personal love (that admittedly was not at first sight), and one that I know many others share, I’ve gathered the best of the wide variety of chicken salads. From creamy ones to stick between bread or pile into lettuce cups to green salads featuring chicken, there are multiples to put on your to-cook list.