How to Make Delicious Chicken Salad with Canned Chicken

Many people love chicken salad because it’s easy to make, can be used in many ways, and tastes great. Usually, chopped chicken is mixed with mayonnaise or a vinaigrette, as well as different fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. Chicken salad can be made with fresh roasted or poached chicken, but it’s also great with canned chicken or cooked chicken that you already have on hand. Here are the steps you need to follow to make chicken salad with canned chicken.

Ingredients Needed

To make chicken salad with canned chicken you will need

• 2 (12.5 oz) cans chicken breast, drained
• 1⁄4 cup mayonnaise
• 1⁄4 cup sweet pickle relish
• 1⁄2 cup chopped celery
• 1⁄4 cup chopped onion (optional)
• 1⁄2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

You can change these ingredients to suit your tastes by using dill relish instead of sweet relish, Greek yogurt instead of mayo, or extras like apples, grapes, dried cranberries, or other mix-ins.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Drain the canned chicken – Open the cans and drain off all of the liquid completely. This prevents the chicken salad from becoming watery.

2. Tear the chicken up. In a large bowl, use two forks to tear the canned chicken into small pieces. The chicken should be shred into pieces that look like pulled chicken.

3. Get the vegetables ready. Cut the celery and onion into small dice. Add to the bowl with the chicken.

4. Add mayonnaise and relish – Start with 1⁄4 cup of mayo and relish each. Mayo acts as a binder and adds moisture and fat. Relish provides tangy flavor. Mix well. Add more mayo 1 Tablespoon at a time if needed to achieve desired creaminess.

5. Season with salt and pepper – Add salt and ground black pepper to taste. I recommend starting with 1⁄4 teaspoon each and adjusting from there.

6. Stir in nuts or other mix-ins (optional) – If desired, fold in chopped pecans or walnuts, dried fruit, grapes, apple, etc.

7. Chill before serving – For best flavor, cover and refrigerate chicken salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Can store chilled up to 5 days.

8. Serve and enjoy! – Scoop chicken salad onto bread, lettuce, or crackers. Can also use as a filling for sandwiches or lettuce wraps. Gets better after chilling!

Serving Suggestions

Chicken salad made with canned chicken is extremely versatile. Here are some serving ideas:

• Sandwiches – Scoop onto bread, rolls, croissants
• Lettuce wraps – Use leaves of romaine or butter lettuce
• On top of a salad – Serve scoops over a green salad
• Inside avocados – Scoop into halved avocados for a keto option
• Appetizer – Scoop into cucumber cups, endive leaves or phyllo dough cups
• Side – Enjoy a scoop alongside fresh vegetables or crackers as a side
• Sweet dessert – Add fruit and serve on top of angel food cake for a sweet twist

Tips for the Best Results

• Use high quality mayonnaise – I prefer Duke’s or Hellmann’s
• Drain canned chicken well and shred thoroughly with forks
• Start with less mayo and increase gradually to avoid sogginess
• Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving
• Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 5 days
• Customize with different mixes ins like nuts, fruits, herbs, spices, etc.
• Add a dash of lemon juice for a fresh flavor
• Use light mayo or Greek yogurt to make a healthier chicken salad

FAQs

Can I freeze chicken salad?

No, do not freeze chicken salad as the mayo can separate. Store in the refrigerator only.

How long does homemade chicken salad last?

Properly stored chicken salad will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Discard after that time.

Is canned chicken already cooked?

Yes, canned chicken is fully cooked during the canning process. No additional cooking is needed.

What’s the difference between chicken salad and tuna salad?

The only difference is tuna salad is made with tuna instead of chicken. Otherwise ingredients are very similar.

Can I use rotisserie chicken?

Absolutely! Leftover rotisserie chicken works great in place of canned chicken.

Conclusion

Chicken salad made with canned chicken, mayonnaise, vegetables, and seasonings is easy to make and customize to your preferences. Allowing time for chilled chicken salad to rest results in the best flavor. This classic recipe can be used in sandwiches, scooped on top of salads, stuffed into avocados, or served as a side. With a few simple ingredients and spices on hand, you can whip up a batch of delicious chicken salad using canned chicken in no time.