Classic Cold Chicken Salad

Name: Classic Cold Chicken Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 3 cups cooked, shredded or diced chicken; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 2 celery stalks, diced; 1/4 cup red onion, minced; 1/4 cup dried cranberries; 1/4 cup chopped walnuts; 1 tbsp lemon juice; salt and pepper, to taste

4 servings15 min prep0 min cookEasy

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Classic Cold Chicken Salad

Story updated September 18, 2026

Chicken salad has roots in 19th-century American and European cooking, with early recipes combining cooked chicken, mayonnaise, and seasonings appearing in American cookbooks by the 1860s. It became a staple of tea rooms, luncheons, and sandwich shops through the 20th century.

Ingredients

Scale:· 4 servings

3 cups cooked, shredded or diced chicken
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 celery stalks, diced
1/4 cup red onion, minced
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1 tbsp lemon juice
salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1Combine the chicken, mayonnaise, celery, red onion, cranberries, and walnuts in a large bowl.
2Add the lemon juice and stir until everything is evenly coated.
3Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
5Serve on bread, in lettuce wraps, or with crackers.

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