This Old-Fashioned Southern Chicken Salad is creamy, tangy, and packed with tender chicken, crunchy celery, and classic Southern flavor. Perfect for sandwiches, crackers, lettuce wraps, or picnic lunches — simple, comforting, and always delicious.
⏱ Prep Time
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Prep: 15 minutes
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Chill: 30 minutes (recommended)
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Total: 45 minutes
🍽 Servings
4–6 servings
🍳 Equipment
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Mixing bowl
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Cutting board
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Knife
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Spoon
🥘 Ingredients
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3 cups cooked chicken (finely chopped or shredded)
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¾ cup mayonnaise
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½ cup finely chopped celery
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¼ cup finely chopped onion (or green onion)
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2 hard-boiled eggs (chopped)
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2 tbsp sweet pickle relish
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1 tsp yellow mustard
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½ tsp salt (or to taste)
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½ tsp black pepper
Optional Southern Add-Ins
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¼ tsp paprika
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1 tbsp fresh parsley
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1 tbsp lemon juice
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Pinch of sugar (traditional Southern touch)
📝 Ingredient Notes
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Rotisserie chicken works perfectly and saves time.
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Chop chicken small for authentic Southern texture.
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Use Duke’s-style mayo if you want true Southern flavor.
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare Ingredients
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Chop or shred cooked chicken into small pieces.
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Dice celery, onion, and eggs.
2️⃣ Mix
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In a large bowl, combine chicken, celery, onion, eggs, and relish.
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Add mayonnaise and mustard.
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Season with salt and pepper.
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Mix until creamy and evenly combined.
3️⃣ Chill
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Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes for best flavor.
Serve on toasted bread, croissants, crackers, or lettuce cups 🥐
🧾 Nutrition (Approx. Per Serving)
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Calories: 360
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Protein: 28g
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Carbs: 4g
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Fat: 26g
⭐ Tips & Southern Variations
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Add chopped pecans for a Southern church-potluck version.
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Mix in grapes for a sweet-savory twist.
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Use smoked chicken for deeper flavor.
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For extra creaminess, add 1–2 tbsp sour cream