Easy and Flavorful Gluten-Free Chicken Salad Recipe

Chicken salad is one of those dishes that just hits the spot. It's light, refreshing, and perfect for those hot summer days when you don't feel like heating up the kitchen.

You can enjoy it on gluten-free brioche bread, a slice of gluten-free sourdough sandwich bread, crackers, or even in a lettuce cup for a filling meal that's not too heavy. With a combination of tender chicken, crispy vegetables, and a creamy dressing, it's super easy to customize to your liking.

Plus, it's a great way to use up leftover citrus marinated chicken from the grill and create a new meal that's both delicious and easy to prepare.

So next time you're craving something yummy but don't want to turn on the oven, whip up a batch of this chicken salad. Then head to your nearest picnic spot or bring it to your next party! Bring some gluten-free pesto pasta salad along as well!

If you need more recipe inspiration, check out these gluten-free ground chicken recipes or these gluten-free potluck ideas! These gluten-free ground chicken tacos are another easy chicken dinner!

Simple Ingredients & Substitutions

• Chicken: Start with cooked chicken, whether that be leftover chicken breasts from the grill, a shredded rotisserie chicken, or even leftover gluten-free chicken tenders. I prefer light meat but feel free to use whatever your preference is.
• Celery: A few stalks of celery add a pop of color and wonderful crunch to the chicken salad.
• Green Onions: Substitute finely diced red onion if desired.
• Grapes: You can use red grapes, green grapes, or a combination of the two.
• Sliced Almonds: Almonds add another layer of crunch and that nutty flavor but feel free to omit if needed.
• Fresh Herbs: Fresh dill or fresh cilantro are my favorite herbs to use in this recipe. Feel free to play around with your choice of fresh herbs to change up the flavor.

Dressing Ingredients:

• Mayonnaise: Use your favorite mayonnaise. You can also use Miracle Whip or a plant-based alternative.
• Sour Cream: You can substitute greek yogurt for a healthier alternative.
• Cream or Milk: You can also use a dairy-free alternative if desired. This is used basically to thin out the dressing.
• Lemon Juice: Adds the perfect tanginess to the dressing. I prefer fresh lemon juice. You could substitute a splash of red wine vinegar if desired.
• Brown Sugar: Brown sugar is gluten-free and adds the perfect touch of sweetness to the dressing. You can omit if you would like or use an alternative sugar like coconut sugar or honey.
• Kosher Salt and Black Pepper

Variations

There are so many ways you can vary this chicken salad recipe to either change up the flavor or use what you have on hand. Here are a few ideas:

1. Add different fruits: Diced apples, dried cranberries, or sliced strawberries would be delicious in place of the grapes.
2. Change up the nuts: Instead of sliced almonds, you could try using chopped walnuts, pecans, or cashews.
3. Use a different herb: If you're not a fan of cilantro or dill, try using Italian flat-leaf parsley, basil, tarragon, or thyme. Pretty much any fresh herb would be delicious in this recipe.
4. Add more veggies: Add shredded carrots, chopped bell peppers, or diced cucumbers to the chicken salad for extra crunch and nutrition.
5. Experiment with different dressings: If you're not a fan of the mayonnaise-based dressing, you could try using a vinaigrette made with olive oil and vinegar or a honey mustard dressing.
6. Make it spicy: Add diced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or a dash of sriracha hot sauce to the chicken salad for a bit of heat.

Instructions

1. Place all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk well to combine.
2. Finely chop the chicken, celery, and green onion. Halve the grapes. Place the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
3. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture.
4. Stir well to combine. Taste and adjust for seasoning. Add more milk or cream to thin the dressing if needed.

How to Serve Chicken Salad

1. Sandwiches: Serve as a filling on your favorite gluten-free bread, buns, or wraps.
   
   My favorite gluten-free breads for this sandwich are:
   Homemade gluten-free Hawaiian rolls, Easy gluten-free flatbread made with three ingredient dough, Homemade Gluten-Free Pita Bread, or Soft Gluten-Free Dinner Rolls.
2. Lettuce cups: Instead of bread, spoon chicken salad into a lettuce leaf and serve as lettuce cups. Iceberg or butter lettuce are great options as they are both sturdy enough to hold the salad without breaking.
3. Salad: Turn your chicken salad into a salad. Serve atop of a bed of your favorite greens along with additional toppings such as nuts, diced vegetables, or other fruits.
4. Appetizer: Scoop onto gluten-free crackers, cucumber slices, or celery sticks. You could use a food processor to pulse the chicken salad into a finer mixture.
5. Stuffed into vegetables: Stuff into hollowed-out vegetables such as tomatoes, bell peppers, or avocado halves.

What to Serve with Chicken Salad

The best side dishes for chicken salad sandwiches are light and refreshing, or complement the flavors and textures. Here are a few ideas:

• Salad: A fresh green salad with a simple vinaigrette can be a great complement to the creamy texture of a chicken salad sandwich.
• Fruit: Fresh fruit such as grapes, strawberries, or melon can be a refreshing and healthy side dish that balances out the richness of the chicken salad.
• Chips: A handful of potato chips or veggie chips can add a satisfying crunch to the meal.
• Soup: Chicken salad can be a great accompaniment to a bowl of soup, especially on a cold day.
• Pickles: A side of pickles, whether sweet or dill, can provide a nice tangy contrast to the creamy chicken salad.

Storage

Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The chicken salad will keep for 2-3 days. Stir before using, as the vegetables and grapes tend to release some moisture as the mixture sits. Add a splash of cream if the dressing seems a bit dry.

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