Are you tired of the same old bland chicken salad? I know I am! There’s nothing worse than opening up your lunchbox to find a sad, flavorless scoop of chicken salad staring back at you. But don’t worry – I’ve got your back! After years of experimenting with different ingredients and techniques, I’ve compiled the ultimate guide to transforming your chicken salad from drab to fab.
Chicken salad has been around since 1863 when a Rhode Island butcher shop owner named Liam Gray mixed leftover chicken with mayonnaise, tarragon, and grapes. His creation was so popular that he eventually converted his butcher shop into a deli! While the classic recipe is great, sometimes we need to shake things up a bit.
Let’s dive into the many delicious ways you can spice up your chicken salad and make your taste buds dance with joy!
Fresh Herbs: Nature’s Flavor Bombs
Fresh herbs are like magic wands for your chicken salad. They add brightness, depth, and a punch of flavor that dried herbs just can’t match. Here are some of my favorite herbs to use:
1. Parsley
Parsley has a clean, peppery taste that brightens up any chicken salad. To get the most out of it:
- Chop it finely so the flavor distributes evenly
- Add it at the end of preparation so the flavor doesn’t cook out
- Pair it with lemon juice, mustard, or garlic for an extra flavor boost
2. Basil
Basil offers a perfect balance between sweet and savory with a hint of anise It’s one of my absolute favorites for chicken salad! If using dried basil, rehydrate it by soaking in water for about 10 minutes first
3. Thyme
Thyme has a sharp almost minty flavor that pairs wonderfully with mayo sour cream, and yogurt-based dressings. Remember, a little goes a long way with thyme, so start with just a teaspoon.
4. Rosemary
This lemony-pine herb adds a fragrant, slightly bitter flavor that can really liven up your chicken salad. Use fresh rosemary if possible, and remove those tough stems before chopping!
5. Tarragon
The original chicken salad from 1863 included tarragon, and for good reason! Its distinctive anise-like flavor pairs perfectly with chicken.
Spices That Pack a Punch
While herbs add freshness, spices bring warmth and depth to your chicken salad. Here are some game-changers:
6. Curry Powder
Curry powder is a blend of several spices like turmeric, coriander, cumin, and chili pepper. It gives your chicken salad a warm, earthy flavor and that gorgeous yellow color. Start with a small amount and add more to taste – you don’t want to overwhelm the other flavors!
7. Smoked Paprika
Smoked paprika adds a smoky, spicy flavor that can really elevate your chicken salad. It pairs well with other bold flavors like garlic, cumin, and chili powder. I like to sprinkle a bit on top as a garnish too!
8. Garlic Powder
How could I almost forget about garlic powder? This is such a versatile spice for chicken salad. Start with a teaspoon and work your way up from there. Pro tip: add it towards the end of mixing everything so you can taste as you go.
9. Onion Powder
Onion powder brings out the flavors in other ingredients while adding savory depth without extra moisture (which can make chicken salad soggy). Add it early in the recipe so it has time to blend with the other ingredients.
Unexpected Add-Ins That Will Blow Your Mind
Sometimes, the most surprising ingredients create the most delicious results. Here are some unexpected additions that will take your chicken salad to the next level:
10. Citrus Juice and Zest
Citrus juice brightens the flavor and balances the fat in the mayo dressing. The oils in citrus zest add an amazing zing to every bite! Try lemon, lime, or even orange for a sweet twist.
11. Raw Onions
Adding finely chopped raw onions can perk up even the most boring chicken salad. Red, white, yellow, or sweet onions all work great – just choose based on how strong you want the flavor to be. Remember to dice them small so they don’t overpower each bite.
12. Hard-Boiled Eggs
If you love egg salad AND chicken salad, why not combine them? Hard-boiled eggs add richness, protein, and a creamy texture that’s just divine. They also help stretch your chicken salad further!
13. Pickle Juice
This might sound weird, but trust me – pickle juice is a game-changer! It adds moisture, complex flavor, and its acidity even helps tenderize the chicken. Different pickle brines have different flavors, so experiment to find your favorite!
14. Nuts
For a delightful crunch and some healthy fats, toss in some nuts! Walnuts, almonds, and pistachios are all great choices. Pro tip: toast them first to enhance their flavor and crunchiness.
15. Brown Sugar
A pinch of brown sugar can balance tangy, salty, or sour flavors in your chicken salad. Start with a small amount – you’re aiming for balance, not sweetness. This works especially well if your salad includes other tart ingredients.
The Secret to Amazing Chicken Salad Starts with the Chicken
Before you even think about spices and add-ins, consider using rotisserie chicken instead of plain boiled chicken. Rotisserie chickens are generously seasoned and cooked with their bones and skin intact, making them super flavorful and juicy.
When prepping your rotisserie chicken, don’t just use the white meat – the dark meat is some of the most tender and flavorful! Remove the meat from the bones, tear away the skin, and chop it into bite-sized pieces before mixing with your dressing.
Flavor Boosters That Take Minimal Effort
Sometimes we’re in a hurry but still want something delicious. Here are some quick flavor boosters that take seconds to add:
Hot Sauce
A splash of hot sauce can add instant flavor and a spicy kick to your chicken salad. Choose your favorite brand and add it to taste.
Chutney
Store-bought chutneys made with mango, dried fruit, tomatoes, or coconut add a complex sweet-savory flavor to chicken salad. Mix in a couple spoonfuls and lean into the flavors in the chutney.
Vinegar
A splash of vinegar adds brightness and zing. Rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or white wine vinegar are all excellent choices. Skip the dark balsamic though – it can overpower and discolor your salad.
Salty Meats
Bacon makes everything better, including chicken salad! Other options include chopped smoked meats like kielbasa, andouille, or Italian salami. Pro tip: pan-fry pepperoni first to release the oils and intensify its flavor.
My Secret Chicken Salad Recipe
Here’s my personal favorite chicken salad recipe that incorporates several of these amazing flavor boosters:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon pickle juice
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil
- 1/4 cup toasted walnuts
- 1/2 cup halved grapes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Mix mayo, mustard, pickle juice, and smoked paprika in a bowl
- Fold in the chicken, red onion, basil, walnuts, and grapes
- Season with salt and pepper
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving
Serving Suggestions
Chicken salad is incredibly versatile. Here are some delicious ways to enjoy your newly spiced-up creation:
- On a bed of crisp lettuce leaves
- Between slices of hearty bread for a sandwich
- Wrapped in a tortilla for a quick lunch
- With crackers and crunchy vegetables as a snack
- Stuffed into a hollowed-out tomato for an impressive appetizer
Final Thoughts
Spicing up your chicken salad doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes just one new ingredient can transform your salad from boring to extraordinary! Don’t be afraid to experiment and find your perfect combination.
Remember, the key is to start with small amounts of any new spice or add-in and taste as you go. You can always add more, but you can’t take it away once it’s in there!
What’s your favorite way to spice up chicken salad? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below!
Now go forth and create chicken salad that will make your taste buds (and your lunch companions) very happy!
Toasted nuts and seeds
The main thing missing from a salad thats just chicken and mayonnaise is texture. Tender chicken and creamy dressing may taste fine, but without a bit of crunch, every bite will seem boring. One of the best ways to upgrade your chicken salad is to add ingredients that have some bite to them, like nuts and seeds. While you can certainly add them as-is, youll get more depth of flavor if you toast them first.
Any combination of toasted nuts and seeds will add not only flavor and texture to your chicken salad, but nutrition as well. Protein, unsaturated fats, and fiber are found in these little powerhouses, per Harvard Health Publishing, and some have extra bonuses like B vitamin-rich peanuts and calcium-packed almonds.
To pack the biggest flavor punch to your chicken salad, you can season your nuts and seeds before toasting or roasting them, like these Chili-Roasted Pumpkin Seeds. And while using the oven or stovetop are the most common methods, for ultimate convenience you can use your microwave to achieve the same effect.
Curry powder or other spice blends
Chicken salad is no stranger to curry seasoning. The now-classic British dish Coronation Chicken has been around since 1953, when it was served at a luncheon in honor of Queen Elizabeth II at Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in London. It consists of roasted chicken, cooled and taken off the bone, and mixed with a creamy curry sauce that is typically mayonnaise-based. This variation on chicken salad makes one wonder what other seasoning blends might take chicken salad to the next level.
Old Bay, though its best known for seafood, is a deliciously warm and zesty spice blend to add to chicken salad, too. Creole seasoning can be used to add deep, savory flavor and a kick of heat from cayenne pepper. Balance and complexity are what five-spice powder brings to the table, with plenty of peppery heat and warmth. Or you can go all-American with good old-fashioned ranch seasoning, a great match with chicken. Mix any of these blends into your dressing and youll have a flavor-packed chicken salad.
One of the great things about chicken salad is that you can make it as light or as indulgent as youd like. If youre in the mood for a more rich and flavorful version, adding bacon is pretty much a must. Bacon adds not just extra flavor, but also fat, salt, and texture, all in one little ingredient. Its a lot of bang for your buck.
Since the bacon will likely be sitting in dressing for a while once the salad is assembled, youll want to make sure its as crispy as possible so it maintains its crunch. Depending on the texture you like, you can use thin or thick strips and slice, chop, or crumble them to the size and shape of your choosing. Or you can buy slab bacon or pancetta and dice it into chunky cubes for a meatier, more toothsome texture. To add even more rich bacon goodness, save some of the fat from cooking and blend it into your dressing. Your chicken salad will have a salty, savory, smoky quality all the way through.
If you find your chicken salad is in need of a little oomph, a great way to rev up flavor is to add some heat, and mixing some hot sauce into your dressing is an easy way to achieve that. Whether you want to go full Buffalo-style and turn your chicken red hot, or just dash in a few drops to add a subtle background heat is up to you –- either way, youre turning up the flavor.
There are thousands of hot sauces on the market and each has its own unique taste and texture. It helps to know some of the basic styles and become familiar with heat levels so that you can match your personal taste preferences and chile tolerance. Cajun or Louisiana style hot sauces, like popular brands Tabasco and Crystal, have a vinegar tang that brightens up chicken salad, as well as adding heat. Franks RedHot, which is specifically made for chicken, falls under this category.
Others to consider are Mexican hot sauces such as Cholula, which tend to have a thicker consistency and deeper chile flavor, green chile sauces for a more mild chile bite, and sriracha which brings an intense garlic flavor along with its heat. This is merely a tiny smattering of the world of hot sauces –- experimenting with different styles will help you find the perfect heat and flavor for your chicken salad.
If youre looking to add fresh, bright spice to your chicken salad, adding chile peppers may be the way to go. They can be diced, sliced, minced, or pureed and added to the dressing to bring a zesty heat. What chiles you use and how depends on the level of intensity youre looking for, so it helps to know a few chile pepper basics.
First, always use caution when preparing fresh chiles, as when their oils touch your skin they can cause a burning sensation -– be particularly careful to not touch your eyes. Keep in mind that just because a type of chile is labeled with a specific heat level, such as mild or hot, each individual chile can vary. Make sure to smell and taste each pepper before you add it to your dish so you know how much you need. The seeds and membranes are hotter than the flesh, so remove them if you want a mellower heat.
For mild to moderate heat, a few common types are banana peppers, poblanos, and Anaheim peppers. For more of a punch, go for a jalapeño or Fresno. Serrano and cayenne peppers are another step up, and then you jump into true fiery territory with habaneros. All of these will add fresh, fruity flavor and a kick of heat to your chicken salad.
How to Make this “Southwest Chicken Salad” #shorts
FAQ
How can I make bland chicken salad taste better?
A splash of apple cider vinegar, a squeeze of lemon juice, or a teaspoon of white wine vinegar can cut through the richness and lift the entire dish.
What’s a good seasoning to put in chicken salad?
In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, salt, poultry seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, pepper, and lemon juice. In a large bowl, toss together the chicken, celery, green onions, water chestnuts, Swiss cheese, and grapes.
How can I add more flavor to my salad?
some crunch ( such as cucumber, apples, crispy bacon bits, nuts, fried shallots, etc) a bit of whole healthy fats such as avocado or olives a bit of acid such as lemon/lime juice or balsamic vinegar to drizzle on top seasoning (salt, pepper, chilli flakes, etc)
What compliments a chicken salad?
- Soup. An easy Soup recipe is always a great option to pair with Chicken Salad, especially in the Fall and Winter months. …
- Classic Salads with Greens. …
- Pasta Salads. …
- Grain Salad. …
- Macaroni and Cheese. …
- Vegetable Sides. …
- Coleslaw.