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 talking about the specific seasonings, it’s helpful to know what role seasonings play in chicken salad. The first seasoning makes the main ingredients (chicken, mayonnaise, and celery) taste better. It takes these simple ingredients and turns them into something more interesting to taste. Second, seasonings make chicken salad different, so you can make different kinds of it. A chicken salad with basil and garlic will taste very different from one with curry.
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 needed to bring out the best in 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
Mayonnaise is often used as the base for chicken salad because it makes it creamy and holds the ingredients together. Greek yogurt can be used instead of some or all of the mayo because it is lighter. A dash of vinegar or lemon can brighten the flavor. You can also add a little olive oil, sour cream, or cream cheese to make it really rich.
The Best Seasoning Combos for Chicken Salad
Now, let’s look at some of the best ways to season chicken salad that will make it taste even better.
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.
- That being said, this is the recipe I use most often for something other than chicken salad.
- Broccoli salad: This potluck favorite always wins for its crunchy texture.
- Greek Salad: This salad from the Mediterranean is simple, fresh, and light.
- Cucumber Salad: This salad is very refreshing and only needs a few ingredients.
- Shrimp Salad: Cereal, red onion, herbs, and shrimp in a creamy, bright salad.
- One of my favorite ways to use hard-boiled eggs is in egg salad.
- Turkey Salad: left-over turkey meat makes this chunky, high-protein salad.
Really, this is the best chicken salad recipe ever. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Please let me know how it turned out in the box below. Your review will help other readers in the community.
How to Serve It
This chicken salad is so good that I eat it right out of the bowl most of the time. But here are some ways you can make it a meal:
- Sandwich: Put lettuce, spinach, or tomato slices between two slices of bread to make a sandwich.
- To make a low-carb, lighter lettuce wrap, wrap it in big romaine or butter leaf lettuce leaves.
- For the Extra Green Salad, add a few spoonfuls to a bed of greens like baby spinach or 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?
VariationsAdd 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?
5 Unique Spices to Add to Your SaladCurry 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—I always use Duke Mayonnaise! Onion Powder—a little is all you need—that’s the secret.