Easy Chicken Salad Recipe with Rotisserie Chicken for Busy Days

Life gets busy, and finding time to cook can be challenging. That’s where an easy chicken salad recipe with rotisserie chicken comes to the rescue. This simple yet satisfying dish transforms a store-bought rotisserie chicken into a delicious meal that you can prepare in minutes.

In this recipe article, we’ll walk you through creating the perfect chicken salad recipe with rotisserie chicken from start to finish. You’ll learn how to select the best rotisserie chicken at the store and quickly shred it for the ideal texture. 

We’ll share our basic recipe that you can easily customize to your taste, along with creative serving suggestions that work for any occasion. To help you make the most of your time, we’ll also cover helpful prep shortcuts and storage tips to keep your chicken salad fresh for several days.

This helpful guide will show you how to quickly make a tasty chicken salad with simple items you probably already have in your kitchen. It’s perfect for making lunches for work, dinners on the fly, or food for a party. Read on to learn how a rotisserie chicken from the store can become the star of your new favorite easy and quick meal.

Easy Chicken Salad Recipe with Rotisserie Chicken for Busy Days

Recipe by SamiraCourse: SaladsCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

5

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Calories

250

kcal

Ingredients

• Base Ingredients:
  1 rotisserie chicken (skin removed, shredded)
  ¾ cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
  2-3 celery stalks, finely diced
  ¼ cup red onion, finely diced

• Seasonings:
  ¼ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  ¼ tsp black pepper
  ¼ tsp garlic powder (optional)
  1 tbsp Dijon mustard

• Optional Add-ins:
  1 cup halved red or green grapes
  ½ cup chopped walnuts or almonds
  1 tbsp fresh dill or parsley
  ½ diced apple for sweetness

Directions

• Prepare the Chicken:
  Remove the skin from the rotisserie chicken and shred the meat using two forks or your hands into bite-sized pieces. Cool completely.
• Chop Vegetables:
  Dice celery, onions, and any additional vegetables into small, uniform pieces for even mixing.
• Make the Dressing:
  In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until smooth.
• Combine Ingredients:
  In a large mixing bowl, add shredded chicken, diced vegetables, and optional add-ins. Pour dressing over the mixture and gently fold until evenly coated.
• Adjust and Chill:
  Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

Notes

• Serving Suggestions
  Sandwich: Spread between slices of bread, croissants, or wraps with lettuce and tomato.
  Low-Carb: Serve in lettuce cups or hollowed-out tomatoes.
  Party Snack: Use as a dip with crackers or stuff into slider buns.
• Avoid adding dressing to warm chicken, as it may separate.
• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Stir before serving, and add a bit of extra dressing if it seems dry.
• Customize with your favorite mix-ins or herbs for a unique twist!

Why Use Rotisserie Chicken?

Want to make chicken salad smartly? Get rotisserie chicken from the store. It’s your best friend in the kitchen. When you ask, “Can I use rotisserie chicken to make chicken salad?” It’s not just good; it’s great.

Making chicken salad is easy when you use rotisserie chicken. Getting one from the store is all it takes to complete half of your meal prep. You don’t have to eat raw meat or wait for chicken to cook and cool down. You also don’t have to wash any extra pots. This rotisserie chicken salad recipe has already been made, so the meat is ready to become the best chicken salad you’ve ever made.

The meat stays soft and juicy while it cooks slowly on the rotisserie, which is perfect for Chicken Salad Recipe with Rotisserie Chicken. Also, the mild seasonings most shops use to give you a tasty base for your salad without making it taste too strong.

When you’re at the store, choose a chicken that looks and feels big. The skin should be golden brown and not dry or shrinky. If a chicken looks like it’s been sitting under a heat lamp all day, forget about it. The chicken salad will taste better if it is fresh.

Plus, you’ll save cash. The meat from one rotisserie chicken is enough for several bowls of Chicken Salad Recipe with Rotisserie Chicken, and it usually costs less than buying raw chicken and cooking it yourself.

Essential Ingredients for Easy Chicken Salad

Making a delicious creamy chicken salad recipe with rotisserie chicken starts with gathering the right ingredients. The basic ingredients for chicken salad using rotisserie chicken combine to create a perfect blend of flavors and textures.

• Base Ingredients: Start with your shredded rotisserie chicken meat as the foundation. You’ll need mayonnaise to bind everything together and give the salad its creamy texture. For the best results, use real mayonnaise rather than light versions, which can make your salad watery. Add finely diced celery for crunch and fresh onions for flavor – red onions work great, but white or green onions are good too.
• Seasoning Basics: Salt and black pepper are must-haves for bringing out the flavors. A touch of garlic powder adds depth, while a small amount of Dijon mustard gives a nice tang. Some people like to add a splash of lemon juice for brightness.
• Classic Mix-Ins: Want to take your chicken salad up a notch? Try adding halved red grapes for sweetness, chopped almonds or walnuts for crunch, or diced apple for a fresh twist. Fresh herbs like dill or parsley can add color and flavor. Chopped hard-boiled eggs make the salad more filling, while diced pickles add a tangy crunch.
• Dietary Swaps: If you’re watching calories, Greek yogurt can replace some or all of the mayonnaise. For a lighter crunch, water chestnuts or cucumber can stand in for celery. Those avoiding nuts can get a similar texture from sunflower seeds.

Step-by-Step Instructions

It’s easier than you might think. This simple chicken salad recipe with rotisserie chicken breaks down into manageable steps that anyone can follow, even if you’re new to cooking.

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Start with a cooled rotisserie chicken. Remove all the skin – it can make your salad greasy. Pull the meat from the bones carefully, making sure to get all the tender bits from the back and wings. 

For shredding, use two forks to pull the meat apart in opposite directions, or use clean hands to tear it into bite-sized pieces. You want pieces that are small enough to fit on a sandwich but not so tiny that they lose their texture. 

Place the shredded meat in a large mixing bowl. If your chicken is still warm, let it cool completely to avoid making the mayonnaise separate later.

Step 2: Prep Your Vegetables

While waiting for the chicken to cool, focus on the vegetables. Cut your celery into small, even pieces about the size of a pea – this ensures you get crunch in every bite without overwhelming the salad. 

For onions, dice them very finely (about 1/8 inch pieces) so they distribute evenly and don’t overpower any one bite. If you’re adding bell peppers, cut them into similar-sized pieces as the celery. 

For water chestnuts, drain them well and chop into small pieces. Having all vegetables cut to similar sizes helps them mix better and creates a more balanced texture.

Step 3: Make the Dressing

In a separate bowl, start with 3/4 cup mayonnaise for a whole chicken. Add 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and black pepper as a starting point. If using garlic powder, add 1/4 teaspoon. 

For dried herbs, start with 1/2 teaspoon. Mix everything until completely smooth. The dressing should be well-seasoned but not overpowering, as you can adjust later. 

If you’re using Dijon mustard, add one tablespoon and mix well. This base dressing will coat your chicken perfectly while letting the flavors of all ingredients shine through.

Step 4: Combine Everything

Add your prepped vegetables to the shredded chicken. Pour about three-quarters of your dressing mixture over everything. Using a large spoon or rubber spatula, gently fold the ingredients together with a scooping motion from the bottom up. 

This method prevents the chicken from breaking down too much. Mix until the dressing evenly coats all ingredients, but stop before the mixture becomes too mushy. You can always add the remaining dressing if needed.

Step 5: Final Adjustments

Once everything is combined, it tastes good. This is when you perfect your salad. Need more salt? Add a pinch at a time. Want more pepper? Add a few grinds. If the mixture seems dry, add more mayonnaise one tablespoon at a time, mixing well after each addition. 

Now’s the time to fold in any extras like halved grapes, chopped nuts, or diced apples. Mix these in gently to maintain their texture.

Pro Tips for Chicken Salad Recipe with Rotisserie Chicken

Never add mayonnaise to warm chicken – it will separate and become oily. If your salad seems perfect but becomes dry after chilling, this is normal. The chicken will absorb dressing in the fridge, so you might need to add a tablespoon or two of mayonnaise before serving.

Let your finished salad chill for at least 30 minutes, but preferably an hour or more. This resting time lets the flavors meld together and helps all the seasonings fully develop.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some delicious serving suggestions for chicken salad that work perfectly for any meal or occasion.

• Classic Sandwich Style: Layer your chicken salad between slices of toasted bread with fresh lettuce and tomato. Try different breads like croissants, whole grain, or sourdough to change things up. For a crunchier sandwich, add cucumber slices or potato chips right before eating.
• Healthy Alternatives: Spoon the chicken salad into lettuce cups using Boston or iceberg lettuce for a low-carb option. You can also stuff it into hollowed-out tomatoes or avocado halves for an impressive lunch presentation. For a lighter wrap, use large spinach or whole wheat tortillas.
• Party Perfect: Serve your chicken salad as a dip with crackers, pita chips, or fresh vegetable sticks. Small slider buns make great party sandwiches that are easy to handle. You can also pipe or spoon the salad on cucumber rounds for elegant appetizers.
• Perfect Pairings: Fresh fruit like grapes or apple slices complement chicken salad nicely. A light soup, especially cold ones in summer, makes an ideal side dish. For crunch, serve with pickle spears or potato chips. A simple green salad dressed with vinaigrette balances the creamy Chicken Salad Recipe with Rotisserie Chicken perfectly.

Healthy Variations of Chicken Salad

You can easily transform the traditional creamy chicken salad recipe with rotisserie chicken into a lighter version that’s just as satisfying.

The Greek Yogurt Swap

You can use plain Greek yogurt instead of some or all of the mayonnaise. Mix in half mayo and half yogurt first, then taste and make changes as needed. Greek yogurt has less fat and more protein than regular yogurt. It also has the same smooth taste. 

Use full-fat Greek yogurt for the best results. It tastes better and is better for you than mayo. Add a little Dijon mustard and a squeeze of lemon juice while mixing to make it taste like mayonnaise. This mix makes a base that is so smooth and tasty that you might forget all about mayo.

Loading Up on Vegetables

Adding more veggies to your Chicken Salad Recipe with Rotisserie Chicken will make it healthier and fuller. Chop up some cucumber, bell pepper, or carrots and add them to the mix. The calories per dish decrease while these veggies add color, crunch, and nutrients. 

You can also add fresh herbs like basil, dill, or parsley to make it taste better without adding extra calories. For extra wetness and nutrition, try grated zucchini that has been squeezed dry, or for a strong flavor, try finely chopped celery leaves. 

Radishes give it a spicy crunch and snap peas make it sweet and give it body. It’s important to pick veggies that don’t give off too much water and stay crisp.

Smart Protein Choices

When you shred the chicken, remove the skin to reduce the fat. Do not worry; dark meat is fine to use. It has more calories than white meat and stays juicy in salads. Adding some beans to the salad will make it filler and give it more grain and protein. 

Additionally, you could add quinoa for extra energy and a nice, crunchy taste. To make it more interesting, add edamame or white beans. Not only do these beans add energy to the salad, but they also change the taste and give it more substance.

Healthy Add-ins

Instead of adding bacon or cheese, try sliced sunflower seeds or nuts for healthy fats and crunch. Fresh fruit, like grapes or apple chunks, gives a taste without any added sugars. Add some chopped spinach or kale for extra nutrients. 

For omega-3 fatty acids, you could add chia seeds or hemp hearts. Adding pomegranate seeds to food can give it a burst of taste and vitamins. 

The chunks of avocado add good fats and make the taste even creamier. Remember to add these fragile ingredients right before serving them so they stay fresh and keep their shape.

Seasoning Smart

Do not use spices that are high in salt. Instead, use fresh herbs, citrus zest, and cracked black pepper. A little turmeric gives it color and helps reduce inflammation.

Fresh ginger kicks food and is good for your digestion. For taste without extra salt, use garlic powder or fresh chopped garlic.

Making Delicious Chicken Salad Your Way 

Making chicken salad is simple. This article has shown you how to make a store-bought rotisserie chicken the main dish of your next meal. Now that you know how to divide the chicken into pieces and mix them with fresh ingredients, as well as how to serve them, you can make this standard, tasty dish that everyone loves. 

We reviewed the basic steps for making chicken salad and discussed getting the right thickness. You learned about different ways to serve food, like how to make party-ready starters and sandwiches. Intelligent changes, like using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise and adding more veggies for crunch and nutrition, were given to cooks who care about their health. 

Also, you can change this recipe to make it taste better. To make it crunchier, add more celery. To make it creamier, add more sauce. To spice it up, use different spices. It’s time to make your perfect chicken salad. Now is the time to start cooking. Get a rotisserie chicken. You’ll soon be able to eat another tasty meal.

FAQs about Rotisserie Chicken Salad

Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about making chicken salad with rotisserie chicken. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced cook, these answers will help you create the perfect chicken salad.