Chicken salad is a classic dish that can be served in a variety of ways. It makes a simple yet satisfying sandwich filling a light and refreshing salad or an easy party appetizer when scooped onto crackers. But what takes chicken salad from basic to brilliant is all in the seasoning. The right blend of herbs, spices, and other flavorings can make your chicken salad sing. So what seasoning goes in chicken salad?
The Purpose of Seasoning Chicken Salad
Before discussing the specific seasonings it helps to understand the role seasoning plays in chicken salad. First seasoning enhances the flavor of the core ingredients – chicken, mayonnaise, and celery. It lifts these basic components into something more exciting for the palate. Second, seasoning provides variation so you can make different kinds of chicken salad. A curry chicken salad will taste very different from one seasoned with basil and garlic.
Seasoning also adds complexity, depth, and dimension to what would otherwise be a flat, one-note flavor. Finally, seasoning incorporates new flavors and taste profiles into chicken salad. Think citrus, herbs, heat, sweetness, savoriness – all kinds of flavors can complement chicken when used judiciously.
Must-Have Pantry Seasonings
These are the foundational seasoning ingredients you’ll want to have on hand to flavor chicken salad.
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Salt – Salt is essential for enhancing and brightening all the other flavors. Use it modestly along with other seasonings.
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Black Pepper – A pinch or two of freshly ground black pepper adds warmth.
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Lemon Juice – Bright, tangy lemon juice balances the richness of the mayo.
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Dijon Mustard – The zing of mustard offsets the mild chicken taste.
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Garlic Powder – Not too much, just enough to provide a hint of garlicky goodness.
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Onion Powder – Like garlic powder, a subtle touch of onion powder rounds out flavors.
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Paprika – Whether sweet, smoked, or spicy, paprika offers flavor, color, and mild heat.
Herbs and Spices for Interest
Fresh or dried herbs are a quick way to add extra personality to chicken salad. Consider basil, dill, chives, tarragon, oregano, marjoram, cilantro or Italian parsley. Spices like curry powder, chili powder, cumin, coriander or turmeric can lend exotic flair. Start with modest amounts – say 1 to 2 teaspoons dried herbs or 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh chopped per 1 lb chicken salad.
Produce Add-Ins
Fruits and vegetables mix nicely into chicken salad with their burst of color, healthy nutrients, and contrasting flavors. We often see grapes, raisins, apples, and cranberries sweeten up chicken salad. Celery is the classic veggie addition and provides welcome crunch. But you can also add sliced almonds, chopped cucumber, shredded carrots, dried cranberries, or even mango or pineapple for tropical vibes.
Making It Creamy
The base for chicken salad is usually mayonnaise which offers creaminess and binds the ingredients together. Greek yogurt is a lighter alternative to some or all of the mayo. A dash of vinegar or lemon can brighten the flavor. Or blend in a little olive oil, sour cream, or cream cheese for extra richness.
The Best Seasoning Combos for Chicken Salad
Now let’s look at some top-rated seasoning combinations that will take your chicken salad to new heights.
1. Classic Chicken Salad
The back-to-basics flavor pairing accentuates the chicken flavor rather than masking it.
- Lemon juice
- Salt
- Pepper
- Celery
- Onion powder
- Dijon mustard
2. Italian Chicken Salad
Transport your tastebuds to Italy with these fresh, herbaceous flavors.
- Fresh basil
- Dried oregano
- Garlic powder
- Lemon zest
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
3. Greek Chicken Salad
A Mediterranean twist with bright, tangy flavors and olives for briny contrast.
- Lemon juice
- Dried oregano
- Garlic powder
- Olive oil
- Diced Kalamata olives
- Feta cheese
- Salt and pepper
4. Curry Chicken Salad
Warm curry spices jazz up chicken salad for an exotic twist.
- Curry powder
- Raisins
- Diced apple
- Toasted almonds
- Lemon juice
- Salt and pepper
5. Buffalo Chicken Salad
Give this salad some heat with spicy Buffalo wing flavors.
- Hot sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Celery
- Shredded cheddar
- Salt and pepper
6. Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Sweet, tart cranberries and crunchy pecans complement the tender chicken.
- Dried cranberries
- Chopped pecans
- Lemon juice
- Salt and pepper
7. Waldorf Chicken Salad
Apple and celery give this chicken salad a taste reminiscent of Waldorf salad.
- Diced apples
- Celery
- Lemon juice
- Walnuts
- Salt and pepper
8. Tropical Chicken Salad
Sweet pineapple and mango with curry create a chicken salad that transports you to the tropics.
- Diced mango
- Diced pineapple
- Curry powder
- Toasted coconut
- Salt and pepper
Tips for the Best Seasoned Chicken Salad
Now that you know what seasoning options work well in chicken salad, here are some final tips for making it perfectly flavorful:
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Season in stages – Salt and pepper the chicken first before combining it with other ingredients. Then add additional seasonings to taste.
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Use high-quality ingredients – Great chicken and mayonnaise make a difference you can taste.
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Don’t overmix – To keep the chicken tender, mix the salad lightly and briefly.
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Chill before serving – Let flavors meld by chilling chicken salad for about 30 minutes before serving.
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Adjust seasoning just before serving – Quickly taste and tweak seasoning right before serving chicken salad for maximum flavor impact.
With an arsenal of herbs, spices, and other flavorful ingredients, you can give basic chicken salad an incredible flavor makeover. So try out new seasoning combos and you’ll discover just how versatile and crave-worthy this classic salad can be. Your tastebuds will thank you!
More Classic Salad Recipes
Here are a few light, fresh and healthy salad recipes that I always have on repeat.
- Tuna Salad – Besides chicken salad, this is the recipe I make most often.
- Broccoli Salad – For that crispy crunch, this potluck favorite always wins.
- Greek Salad – This Mediterranean salad is easy, fresh, and light.
- Cucumber Salad – Just a handful of ingredients turn into a super refreshing salad.
- Shrimp Salad – A creamy and bright salad with celery, red onion, and herbs.
- Egg Salad – One of my favorite uses for hard boiled eggs!
- Turkey Salad – A chunky, high-protein salad with leftover turkey meat.
This really is the ultimate chicken salad recipe – and I hope you love it as much as I do! If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your review will help other readers in the community.
How to Serve It
Most often, I eat this chicken salad by the spoonful straight out of the bowl – because it’s that good! But to turn it into a meal, here’s a few ideas.
- Sandwich: Stuff it between sandwich bread with layers of lettuce, spinach, or tomato slices.
- Lettuce Wrap: For a lighter, low-carb option, use large romaine or butter leaf lettuce leaves to wrap it.
- Extra Green Salad: Dollop a few spoonful on top of a bed of greens such as baby spinach or a spring mix.
Since this recipe is meant to be chilled, don’t leave it out at room temperature for more than two hours. Otherwise, store it in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.
How to Make Chicken Salad | Get Cookin’ | Allrecipes
FAQ
How to add flavour to chicken salad?
Add minced fresh herbs like parsley, chives, basil, or tarragon. Add fresh grapes for juicy little bursts of flavor. Add cooked pasta to stretch the chicken salad into a larger meal. (You’ll have to increase the amount of mayonnaise mixture to cover the pasta.)
How to spice up a chicken salad sandwich?
- Add dill or other fresh herbs.
- Lighten it up a bit by replacing half of the mayo with Greek yogurt.
- Change the flavor by adding ranch dressing.
- Dress it up with add-ins like chopped apples, grapes, or chopped nuts such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans.
What are the best spices to put in salad?
- Curry Powder. One interesting spice you can add to your salad to make it more flavorful is curry powder. …
- Garlic. …
- Ginger. …
- Mint. …
- Cumin.
What is the secret seasoning in chicken salad chick?
Shredded Chicken Breast – Chicken Salad Chick uses white meat chicken but you can definitely add in some thigh meat as well. Celery – be sure to FINELY MINCE the celery as you can tell it’s there but BARELY. Mayonnaise – always Duke Mayonnaise for me! Onion Powder – just a dash will do ya – that’s the secret seasoning!