Dinner

Southern Style Chicken Salad Recipe

Name: Southern Style Chicken Salad Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped (from store-bought rotisserie chicken); 1 cup mayonnaise (Duke’s Mayo recommended); 2 celery hearts, finely chopped; 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped; 1/4 cup sweet relish; 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped; 1 1/2 teaspoons cajun seasoning (or seasoned salt as substitute); 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste; Butter croissants; Lettuce; Tomatoes

ByClara Bennett January 29, 2026January 29, 2026

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Introduction

Southern Style Chicken Salad is a creamy, flavorful twist on a classic favorite. Made with tender rotisserie chicken and a blend of simple ingredients, this salad is perfect for sandwiches or as a refreshing side dish. It’s easy to prepare and sure to please any crowd.

The image shows three croissant sandwiches arranged on crinkled parchment paper, each sandwich layered with fresh bright green lettuce at the bottom, a creamy filling mixed with small bits of red onion and herbs in the middle, and topped with two thin slices of red tomato. The croissants are golden brown and flaky, each held together with a thin wooden pick. Around the sandwiches are scattered light yellow potato chips. In the background, there is a white plate filled with whole and sliced ripe red tomatoes, and a small wire basket holding extra whole croissants. A white cloth with brown stripes is placed on the right side on a white marbled textured surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 cups cooked chicken, chopped from store-bought rotisserie chicken
1 cup mayonnaise, Duke’s Mayo recommended
2 celery hearts, finely chopped
1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup sweet relish
2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoon cajun seasoning (use seasoned salt as substitute)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional: butter croissants, lettuce, tomatoes, for serving

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the chopped chicken, mayonnaise, celery, red onion, sweet relish, chopped hard-boiled eggs, cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Step 2: Mix everything together until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed by adding more cajun seasoning or salt.
Step 3: Serve the chicken salad on butter croissants with lettuce and tomatoes if desired, or enjoy it however you like.

Tips & Variations

Use smoked rotisserie chicken to add a deeper flavor to the salad.
For a lighter version, substitute half of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
Add chopped pecans or sliced grapes for extra texture and sweetness.
Adjust the Cajun seasoning according to your spice preference or replace with paprika for a milder taste.

Storage

Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving. This salad is best enjoyed cold and does not reheat well.

How to Serve

The image shows three croissant sandwiches on crumpled parchment paper placed on a white marbled surface. Each sandwich has a golden brown, flaky croissant as the base and top layer. Inside, the bottom layer is bright green fresh lettuce; on top of that, there is a creamy chicken salad filling mixed with small bits of red onion and celery, giving it a white and slightly speckled texture. The final layer is thinly sliced red tomato placed just beneath the top croissant half. The sandwiches appear fresh and filled generously, with vibrant colors of green, red, and creamy white against the golden croissants. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this chicken salad ahead of time?

Yes, chicken salad can be made a day in advance. This allows the flavors to meld together, making it even more delicious. Just keep it covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

What can I use if I don’t have Cajun seasoning?

If Cajun seasoning isn’t available, you can substitute with seasoned salt or a mix of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper for similar flavor.