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A delicious chicken salad sandwich made with creamy chicken salad, crisp celery, and fresh lettuce on whole wheat bread.
Layla

Classic Chicken Salad Sandwich

This classic, creamy chicken salad sandwich is packed with flavor and texture, making it perfect for a quick lunch, easy picnic, or light dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 615
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Salad
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast shredded or diced
  • 0.75 cup mayonnaise good quality
  • 0.5 cup celery finely diced
  • 0.25 cup red onion finely minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill chopped, or 1 tsp dried
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground
For Assembly
  • 8 slices sandwich bread your favorite
  • 4 leaves lettuce leaves e.g., green leaf, butter lettuce

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife

Method
 

Prepare Ingredients
  1. Finely dice the celery and mince the red onion. If your chicken isn't already shredded or diced, take a moment to do that now.
Make the Dressing
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, freshly squeezed lemon juice, chopped fresh dill, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk everything together until it's smooth and well combined.
Combine Salad
  1. Add the shredded or diced cooked chicken, finely diced celery, and minced red onion to the bowl with the dressing. Gently fold all the ingredients together using a spatula or spoon until everything is evenly coated.
  2. Taste the chicken salad and adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want a little more salt, pepper, or a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
  3. For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate the chicken salad for at least 15-30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Assemble Sandwiches
  1. Take two slices of your favorite sandwich bread for each serving. Spread a generous amount of chicken salad on one slice, then top with a fresh lettuce leaf. Place the other slice of bread on top, cut in half if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

For the best texture and flavor, use freshly cooked and cooled chicken breast (poached or roasted are excellent choices). Leftover rotisserie chicken also works wonderfully for a super quick prep!
Feel free to customize your chicken salad! Try adding a pinch of curry powder for an unexpected twist, or incorporate some chopped grapes, pecans, or dried cranberries for added sweetness and crunch.
Chicken salad can be made up to 2-3 days ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This makes it perfect for meal prep or easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.