I Was a Chicken Salad Hater…Until This Bright, Briny Version Came Along
I used to avoid chicken salad at all costs. Too much mayo, bland, and soggy, I just never understood the appeal.
Then I tried the ultra-herby chicken salad from my favorite neighborhood deli—Marty’s in Northeast Minneapolis—and it changed my mind. It was creamy but not heavy, loaded with herbs and briny little bites, and actually craveable. Mind = blown! 🤯🤤
My take on Marty’s epic chicken salad leans into tons of fresh herbs—hello, dill, parsley, and chives! 😍—and bursts of capers, crunchy cornichons, and zesty pepperoncini. And to keep the dressing light and bright, I use Greek yogurt, lemon, and a touch of mayonnaise for richness.
It’s creamy, crunchy, zesty, and fresh—the kind of snack you find yourself scooping from the fridge, barefoot, with a sleeve of crackers in hand. (Speaking from experience.)
Take it from a former hater: this is truly the best chicken salad recipe you’ll ever eat! 🙌🏼
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A beautifully moist and tender chicken salad starts with well-cooked chicken. Rotisserie chicken is a convenient shortcut, but it can sometimes be quite dry. If you have a little extra time, try my Poached Chicken Breasts. It’s an easy, one-pot recipe with the juiciest results.
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With the chicken ready, all that’s left is to chop the herbs and drain the jarred briny add-ins (any extra moisture may make the chicken salad watery!). From there, a quick mix brings it all together.
I can’t wait for you to try this Zingy Herbed Chicken Salad! If you do give it a try, be sure to let us know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo and tag @playswellwithbutter on Instagram. We LOVE seeing your PWWB creations! ♡ Happy cooking!
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Zingy Herbed Chicken Salad (The Best Chicken Salad You’ll Ever Eat)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: serves 4-6 1x
- Category: Entree Salads & Bowls; Snack Recipes
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Herbed Chicken Salad is unlike any classic chicken salad you’ve ever had—bright, bold, and totally irresistible!
Made with shredded rotisserie chicken and a creamy Greek yogurt dressing (with just a dollop of mayo for richness!), each bite is packed with fresh dill, chives, and parsley, plus tangy-crunchy bits like capers, cornichons, and pepperoncini.
Ready in just 15 minutes and perfect for sandwiches, lettuce wraps, or eating straight from the bowl. 😏
Ingredients
- 1 pound shredded chicken (approx. 3 cups)
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (use 5% whole fat or 2% low-fat for thick and creamy results)
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 2–3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh chives
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh dill
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ⅓ cup capers, drained and roughly chopped
- ⅓ cup cornichons, drained and roughly chopped
- ⅓ cup sliced pepperoncinis, drained and roughly chopped
- kosher salt and ground black pepper, to season
Instructions
- Mix the chicken salad: In a large bowl, combine the chicken, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon zest and juice, garlic, fresh herbs (chives, dill, parsley), and all the chopped briny bits (capers, cornichons, pepperoncini). Season with 1 heaping teaspoon kosher salt and ground black pepper as desired. Toss to combine well. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed—I like to add a few splashes of pepperoncini brine for a little extra zip and kick. (Note: Don’t worry if the flavor doesn’t totally pop right away—all of the punchy, herby ingredients meld together beautifully as the chicken salad sits.)
- Serve: This zippy, herby chicken salad is fantastic sandwiched between a few slices of good-quality focaccia or sourdough, though I most often enjoy it straight out of the fridge with lettuce cups and crackers. You do you—enjoy!
Notes
- Storage and Make-Ahead: Even with all of those fresh herbs, this chicken salad holds up beautifully—in fact, I think its flavors get better the longer it sits. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
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Delicious! I meal prepped it for the week and it came together so fast. It’s the perfect summer lunch!
Couldn’t agree more, Barbara!! We love it for lunches too!
Amazing!!! It is light and fresh and all the capers, cornichon and pepperoncini add these briny bites that are just so good. I made this for lunches this week and I can’t wait.
So thrilled to hear you love the chicken salad as much as we do, Elizabeth!! Nothing better than being excited for lunch every day! 🙂
Meal prepped for lunches this week. It is the perfect light and refreshing chicken salad.
It’s a great choice for meal prep, Meghan!! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review! 🙂
YUM!! I’m making this for dinner tonight. I love your recipes and this looks super delicious. Great meal for a hot day.
Hope it turned out great for you, Darlene!! 🙂