18 Delicious Things to Eat with Chicken Salad

Chicken salad is a light and tasty dish that can be paired with a variety of ingredients. While chicken salad sandwiches are popular, you don’t need bread to enjoy this versatile salad. There are so many delicious options for what to eat with chicken salad!

In this article, I’ll share 18 of my favorite pairings that will turn your basic chicken salad into a mouthwatering meal or snack From classic crackers and bread alternatives to unexpected fruits and vegetables, you’ll find plenty of recipes and serving ideas to inspire your next chicken salad creation

Bread Alternatives

While bread is the traditional pairing for chicken salad, it’s not the only option. Try one of these bread alternatives for a fresh take:

1. Crackers

Crackers provide crunch and are lower in carbs than bread. Saltines and Ritz crackers are popular choices. For gluten-free options rice crackers or nut crackers add great texture.

2. Lettuces and Greens

Using lettuce or spinach leaves as wrap “bread” lightens up your chicken salad. Stuff your salad into a lettuce cup or hollowed tomato for a fun handheld meal.

3. Tortillas and Flatbreads

Warm tortillas or flatbreads like naan can envelop chicken salad for a satisfying wrap. Flour, corn, or other grain tortillas offer variety.

4. Rice Cakes

These lightly crispy, lower-carb discs are sturdy enough to support hefty toppings like chicken salad. Seasoned rice cakes add even more flavor.

5. Crispy Wonton Shells

For an appetizer-style bite, bake wonton wrappers into crispy cups. Fill them with chicken salad and fresh herbs for a pretty presentation.

Fruits

Sweet fruits complement the savory chicken salad and provide nutrition. Try these fresh flavors:

6. Grapes

The classic – seedless green grapes offer pops of juicy sweetness and crunch. You can even stir halved grapes right into the chicken salad.

7. Apples

Sliced apples pair perfectly with chicken flavors. For fun, hollow out a small apple and fill with chicken salad.

8. Berries

Blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries lend their unique flavors and textures. Stir them in or use as garnish.

9. Pineapple

Tangy pineapple brightens up chicken salad. Add chunks to the mix or serve salad inside rings.

10. Dried Fruits

Raisins, cranberries, apricots, and cherries infuse chicken salad with chewy concentrated sweetness. They add nutrition too.

Vegetables

Crunchy fresh veggies complement creamy chicken salad wonderfully. Try these:

11. Celery

A classic for its refreshing crunch and moisture. Dice it up in the salad, or stuff sticks with chicken salad.

12. Carrots

Grated carrots lend sweetness, color and texture. Shredded carrots or thin coins work well.

13. Cucumbers

Cooling cucumbers and creamy chicken salad are perfect together. Try thin slices or stuffed cucumber cups.

14. Tomatoes

Both cherry and sliced tomatoes pair nicely. For a “salad,” serve chicken salad over fresh tomato wedges.

15. Bell Peppers

Mix in diced peppers for crunch. Or stuff rings or whole peppers with the chicken mixture for a portable meal.

16. Broccoli and Cauliflower

Their mild flavors make tasty additions to chicken salad when chopped small. Or dip large florets in salad.

17. Sweet Potatoes

Warm roasted sweet potato rounds or wedges topped with chilled chicken salad make a scrumptious combo.

18. Pickles

A few chopped dill or sweet pickles add tangy crunch to chicken salad. A classic Southern touch.

Mix and Match for Variety

Don’t limit yourself – combine various fruits, veggies, breads and crackers in endless ways. Try sweet red grapes and crackers, pineapple salsa and tortillas, or baked sweet potato rounds with chicken salad and berries.

Chicken salad’s flavor is so versatile that you can truly get creative with ingredients and servings. Make enough for leftovers so chicken salad can be a go-to item for quick, healthy snacks and meals.

So next time you make chicken salad, think beyond slices of bread. With this list of delicious ingredients, you can craft chicken salad pairings to suit any taste or craving.