Deli-Style Chicken Salad

Creamy, crunchy, and packed with flavor — just like your favorite deli version!

This Deli-Style Chicken Salad is creamy, cool, and incredibly satisfying. Made with tender cooked chicken, crisp celery, a touch of sweet pickle relish, and a perfectly seasoned mayonnaise-based dressing, it’s the ideal filling for sandwiches, lettuce wraps, or served with crackers. Great for make-ahead lunches, picnics, or meal prep!

Ingredients:

3 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded (rotisserie works great)

½ cup mayonnaise (add more if desired)

1 tbsp Dijon mustard or yellow mustard

½ cup celery, finely chopped

¼ cup sweet pickle relish or chopped dill pickles

1 tbsp lemon juice

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp onion powder

Salt & black pepper, to taste

Optional: 2 tbsp chopped red onion or green onions

Optional: ¼ cup chopped pecans or sliced grapes for texture

Instructions:

Prepare the Chicken
If not already cooked, poach or bake the chicken until tender, then chop or shred it.

Make the Dressing
In a large bowl, mix together mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, relish, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Combine
Add the chicken, celery, and any optional ingredients you like (onions, pecans, grapes).

Mix well until everything is coated in the dressing.

Chill and Serve
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.

Serve in sandwiches, wraps, over greens, or with crackers.

Serving Suggestions
On toasted sourdough or croissants for lunch

Scooped in a lettuce wrap for a low-carb option

Served with crackers for a picnic-style snack

Add sliced tomato and avocado for a twist.