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Rotisserie Chicken Salad

Rotisserie chicken salad with celery, apple, and pecans in a bowl.

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A quick and creamy salad made with shredded rotisserie chicken, crisp apples, and toasted pecans. Perfect for a fast lunch or light dinner, it comes together in minutes using a smart store-bought shortcut. This versatile recipe is endlessly adaptable and family-friendly.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 whole rotisserie chicken, skin removed, meat shredded (about 4 cups)
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 stalks celery, finely diced
  • 1 medium crisp apple (like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), diced
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon celery seed
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or dill

Instructions

  1. Shred the rotisserie chicken, discarding skin and bones, into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, then let cool and chop.
  3. Dice the celery, apple, and red onion. Toss the apple with a teaspoon of the lemon juice to prevent browning.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, remaining lemon juice, Dijon mustard, celery seed, and garlic powder.
  5. Add the shredded chicken, diced celery, apple, red onion, and toasted pecans to the bowl with the dressing.
  6. Gently fold everything together until evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper. Fold in fresh herbs if using.
  7. For best flavor, refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

For a lighter version, swap half the mayo with plain Greek yogurt. The salad keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days. Do not freeze. Ensure chicken is cool before mixing to prevent a greasy texture.

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