Classic Chicken Salad

Name: Classic Chicken Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 3 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 2 celery stalks, finely diced; 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced; 1/2 cup halved red grapes (optional); 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; Salt and black pepper to taste

4 servings15 min prep15 min cookEasy

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Classic Chicken Salad

Story updated September 18, 2026

Chicken salad is often traced to 1863 Wakefield, Rhode Island, where a hotel proprietor is said to have first combined cold chicken with a mayonnaise-style dressing, though the exact history is loosely documented. It became a staple of American lunch counters and tea rooms by the early 20th century.

Ingredients

Scale:· 4 servings

3 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 celery stalks, finely diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
1/2 cup halved red grapes (optional)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1If starting from raw chicken, poach or bake the breasts until cooked through, then let them cool and dice or shred.
2In a large bowl, combine the chicken, celery, red onion, and grapes.
3Add the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard, and stir until everything is evenly coated.
4Season with salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting as needed.
5Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving on bread, crackers, or over lettuce.

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