Chicken Salad Without Celery

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This chicken salad without celery is a staple in our house because it's so easy and good. It comes together in a few minutes and makes the perfect weekday lunch. Eat it in a sandwich, over a salad, with crackers, or on its own.

A bowl of chicken salad without celery. Grapes, chicken, pecans, and apple pieces are visible.

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Why We Love This Chicken Salad
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Step-by-Step Instructions
Additional Ingredient Ideas
Serving Ideas
Frequently asked questions
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Why We Love This Chicken Salad

It's only 5 ingredients: This chicken salad only requires 5 simple ingredients (plus salt and pepper).
It's versatile: I often eat this chicken salad on its own, but it can be enjoyed in lots of different ways—over a salad, on a sandwich, with crackers, or even in a wrap.
It's fast: This recipe only takes about 5 minutes to make, requires no cooking, and can be enjoyed immediately.

Looking for other easy lunches? Try our pesto turkey wraps or spicy canned tuna.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Ingredients needed for chicken salad without celery on a countertop.

Cooked shredded chicken: We usually use a rotisserie chicken, but you could also cook your own.

Apples: We usually use whatever apples are already in our fridge. Honeycrisps work well, as do any other sweet, crisp apple variety.

Grapes: We usually use red grapes, but green work well too.

Pecans: If you don't like pecans, walnuts are a good substitute.

Mayonnaise: If you don't like mayonnaise or want a healthier alternative, greek yogurt works well as a substitute (or sometimes we do half mayo and half greek yogurt).

See recipe card for full ingredient list and amounts.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl and mix until well combined.

Chicken salad ingredients in a mixing bowl.

Chicken salad mixed up in a mixing bowl.

Step 2: Enjoy immediately or refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Additional Ingredient Ideas

We make this chicken salad with 5 simple ingredients, but here are some additional ingredient ideas if you want to mix things up:

Greek yogurt (swap the mayonnaise out for greek yogurt, or do half and half)
Dill pickles
Diced red onion
Dijon mustard (a little spoonful will add some tang)
Green onion
Poppy Seeds
Fresh dill
Dried cranberries
Walnuts instead of pecans

Serving Ideas

Here are some ways we love to serve this chicken salad:

With crackers or chips for dipping
Over a salad with fresh veggies
On a sandwich
On a rice cake or thin rice stacker
In a wrap
In a lettuce boat (or wrap)
By itself

Frequently asked questions

How do I store chicken salad?

Store this chicken salad in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days (assuming your chicken is cooked on the same day you make the chicken salad).

How do I serve chicken salad?

See our "serving ideas" above for some great ways to serve this. We love it over a salad, on a sandwich, with crackers, or even in a wrap.

What else can I add to this recipe?

See our "additional ingredient ideas" section for ideas if you want to mix things up. We love adding chopped dill pickles, walnuts, and dried cranberries.

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