Carolina Chicken Salad Recipe

Introduction

Carolina Chicken Salad is a tangy and creamy dish perfect for sandwiches or a light meal. Combining shredded chicken with crisp celery and a zesty pickle dressing, it offers a delightful balance of textures and flavors. This salad is easy to prepare and ideal for make-ahead lunches or picnics.

Ingredients

• 4 cups cooked and shredded chicken breast
• 4 celery stalks
• 1/4 cup sweet pickle cubes, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup dill pickle cubes, finely chopped
• 3-4 tablespoons Duke’s mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Instructions

1. Step 1: Finely shred the cooked chicken into small pieces using your hands, a knife, or kitchen shears.
2. Step 2: Finely chop the celery and place it in a large bowl with the shredded chicken.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, mix the sweet and dill pickle cubes with the mayonnaise and Dijon mustard until smooth.
4. Step 4: Spoon the dressing over the chicken mixture and toss until everything is well coated.
5. Step 5: Cover and chill the salad for 2-3 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Tips & Variations

• For a lighter version, substitute half of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
• Add chopped fresh herbs like parsley or dill to brighten the flavor.
• Use rotisserie chicken to save time without sacrificing taste.
• Serve on toasted bread, in a wrap, or over a bed of greens for variety.

Storage

Store the Carolina Chicken Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving again. It’s best enjoyed cold and may dry out if left too long, so keep it well covered.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of pickles for this salad?

Yes, you can substitute with bread-and-butter pickles or even sweet relish if you prefer a sweeter flavor. Just adjust the quantity to your taste.

Is it necessary to chill the salad before serving?

Chilling the salad allows the flavors to meld and the dressing to fully coat the chicken and celery. While you can serve it immediately, letting it chill for a few hours improves taste and texture.

Carolina Chicken Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 133 reviews

• Author: Hugo
• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

This Carolina Chicken Salad is a classic Southern-style dish featuring tender shredded chicken breast combined with crunchy celery and a tangy mix of sweet and dill pickles. The salad is dressed in a creamy blend of Duke’s mayonnaise and Dijon mustard, resulting in a perfectly balanced savory and slightly sweet flavor. It’s ideal for a light lunch, picnic, or potluck and served chilled for refreshing taste.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 4 cups cooked and shredded chicken breast

Vegetables

• 4 celery stalks, finely chopped

Pickles

• 1/4 cup sweet pickle cubes, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup dill pickle cubes, finely chopped

Dressing

• 3–4 tablespoons Duke’s mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

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Instructions

1. Shred the Chicken: Finely shred the cooked chicken breast into small pieces using your hands, a knife, or kitchen shears to create a tender texture perfect for salad.
2. Chop the Celery: Finely chop the celery stalks to add a fresh, crisp crunch and add it to a large mixing bowl with the shredded chicken.
3. Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine the finely chopped sweet and dill pickle cubes with Duke’s mayonnaise and Dijon mustard, mixing thoroughly until the dressing is smooth and well blended.
4. Toss Salad: Spoon the prepared dressing over the chicken and celery mixture, gently tossing until all ingredients are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
5. Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for 2-3 hours to allow the flavors to meld and serve chilled.

Notes

• You can adjust the amount of mayonnaise to achieve your preferred creaminess level.
• Chilling the salad improves flavor but you can serve immediately if needed.
• For extra zing, add a dash of black pepper or a splash of lemon juice.
• This salad can be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: Southern American

Keywords: Carolina Chicken Salad, Southern chicken salad, shredded chicken salad, mayonnaise chicken salad, picnic salad, easy chicken salad