You know that creamy, slightly sweet chicken salad they serve at Chick-fil-A? The one with celery crunch and just the right tang? Copycat Chick fil a Chicken Salad brings that exact flavor home, and you probably already have everything you need in your fridge.
I first made this back in 2019 after hunting down the perfect balance of mayo, lemon, and that mystery sweetnessturns out it’s just a touch of honey and pickle juice. After testing it six times in my kitchen and comparing notes with actual Chick-fil-A sandwiches, I nailed the texture: tender chicken, not mushy, with celery that still snaps. It tastes so close to the original that my neighbor asked if I’d made a drive-thru run.
Yesica Andrews
Copycat Chick fil a Chicken Salad Recipe Easy and Fresh
This Copycat Chick fil a Chicken Salad recipe is a simple and tasty way to enjoy a fresh, flavorful chicken salad that closely mimics the classic Chick-fil-A sandwich. Perfect for a quick meal, it combines crispy and grilled chicken with crunchy celery and a creamy dressing for a delicious dairy-free main course.
2 crispy (original) chicken breasts – cut into 1-inch cubes
2 grilled chicken breasts – cut into 1-inch cubes
2 stalks celery – cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/3 cup sweet pickle relish
1/2 cup mayonnaise – (light or olive oil works fine)
2 hard-boiled eggs
green leaf or butter leaf bib lettuce
wheatberry bread or honey wheatberry bread
Method
Place the crispy chicken cubes, grilled chicken, chopped celery, mayonnaise, and sweet pickle relish into a large food processor.
Pulse the mixture gently for about five seconds to combine the ingredients.
Add the peeled hard-boiled eggs to the processor and blend with short pulses for 10 seconds, ensuring not to over-blend.
Either serve the salad immediately or chill it in the refrigerator to let the flavors meld, up to three days.
Notes
Use store-bought frozen chicken breasts prepared per package instructions or purchase Chick-fil-A chicken breast filets. Make sure the chicken is fully cooled before processing (refrigerate at least one hour). Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days; keep bread separate to maintain freshness. For longer storage, freeze the salad up to one month and thaw overnight before serving. Reheat gently if desired.
Why You’ll Love This Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Salad
Here’s what makes this recipe a keeper: it comes together in just 10 minutes, uses ingredients you can grab at any grocery store, and tastes remarkably like the original. The combination of crispy and grilled chicken gives you that signature texturetender but never mushywhile the sweet pickle relish adds the exact tangy-sweet note that makes the real thing so craveable.
You’ll also love how flexible it is. Serve it on honey wheatberry bread for a classic sandwich, scoop it onto butter lettuce leaves for a lighter lunch, or eat it straight from the bowl with crackers. It’s perfect for meal prep, toomake a batch on Sunday and you’ve got quick lunches covered through Wednesday.
Quick and simple: No cooking required if you use rotisserie or pre-cooked chicken
Tastes like the original: That sweet-tangy balance is spot on
Meal-prep friendly: Stays fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days
Wholesome ingredients: Real chicken, real mayo, and the crunch of fresh celery
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic lies in the mix of textures and the way sweet pickle relish pulls everything together. Crispy chicken adds crunch, grilled chicken brings tenderness, and hard-boiled eggs make the salad extra creamy without needing more mayo. I’ve tested this with both store-bought rotisserie chicken and Chick-fil-A filetsboth work beautifully as long as the chicken is completely cooled before you start.
Light mayonnaise or olive oil mayo works just fine here, so don’t stress if you’re trying to keep things lighter. The celery should be chopped into small, even piecesabout half an inchso every bite has that satisfying snap. And don’t skip the eggs; they’re part of what makes the texture so silky and familiar.
Ingredient
Why It Matters
Swap Option
Crispy chicken
Adds crunch and texture contrast
Use all grilled if you prefer lighter
Grilled chicken
Keeps it tender and moist
Rotisserie chicken works great
Sweet pickle relish
Gives that signature tangy-sweet flavor
Diced sweet pickles in a pinch
Hard-boiled eggs
Adds creaminess and richness
Can reduce to 1 egg if needed
Mayonnaise
Binds everything together
Light or olive oil mayo both work
How to Make It Step by Step
This recipe is all about pulsing in stages so you control the texture. Start by adding the crispy chicken, grilled chicken, celery, mayonnaise, and sweet pickle relish to a large food processor. Pulse for just 5 secondsyou want small chunks, not a paste. The chicken should break down into bite-sized pieces that still have some texture.
Next, add the peeled hard-boiled eggs and pulse for another 10 seconds. Be careful hereover-processing turns the salad mushy and dense. You’re aiming for a chunky, scoopable consistency where you can still see bits of egg and celery throughout. If you don’t have a food processor, you can chop everything by hand and stir it together in a bowl; it just takes a bit longer.
Pro Tip: Chill your cooked chicken for at least an hour before processing. Cold chicken holds its shape better and keeps the salad from getting warm and soupy.
Serving and Storage Tips
Serve this immediately on toasted honey wheatberry bread with a layer of green leaf or butter lettuce for the full sandwich experience. For a lighter option, skip the bread and use lettuce cups, or pile it onto crackers for an easy snack. It’s also delicious stuffed into a croissant or served over a simple green salad.
Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the bread separate so it doesn’t get soggy. If you want to freeze it, place it in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month, then thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. The texture stays surprisingly good, though I always add a fresh layer of lettuce and bread when I’m ready to eat.
Storage Method
Duration
Best Practice
Refrigerate
Up to 3 days
Store in airtight container; keep bread separate
Freeze
Up to 1 month
Thaw overnight in fridge; serve with fresh bread
Reheat (optional)
Gently warm on stove or microwave before serving
Tips for the Best Results
Texture is everything here. Pulse in short bursts and check frequentlyonce you over-process, there’s no going back. I learned this the hard way after turning my first batch into chicken paste. Also, make sure your chicken is completely cooled before you start; warm chicken releases moisture and makes the salad watery.
If you want a little extra tang, add a teaspoon of pickle juice from the relish jar. For more crunch, toss in an extra stalk of finely diced celery. And if you’re serving a crowd, this recipe doubles beautifullyjust process in two batches so your food processor doesn’t get overloaded.
Note: You can buy chicken breast filets directly from Chick-fil-A if you want to stay super authentic, or use any cooked chicken you have on hand. Rotisserie chicken from the grocery store is my go-to shortcut.
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FAQs (Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Salad)
What makes this taste like the original?
The key is using finely diced chicken breast, quality mayonnaise, and sweet pickle relish. Adding a touch of sugar balances the flavors perfectly. The chicken texture should be tender but not mushy for that authentic taste.
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
Yes, rotisserie chicken works great and saves time. Remove the skin and shred the meat finely with two forks. Make sure to let it cool completely before mixing with the dressing to prevent it from becoming watery.
How long does homemade chicken salad stay fresh?
This dish stays fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container. Always use clean utensils when serving to prevent contamination. The flavors actually improve after a few hours of chilling.
What can I substitute for pickle relish?
Finely diced sweet pickles work perfectly as a substitute. You can also use dill pickle relish for a tangier flavor, though it won’t taste exactly the same. Add a pinch of sugar if using dill relish to balance the tartness.
Should I add celery to make it more authentic?
Traditional versions don’t include celery, so skip it for the most authentic taste. The original focuses on simple ingredients that let the chicken flavor shine through. Adding celery changes both the texture and flavor profile significantly.
You’ll love how this Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Salad comes together in just minutes and tastes so close to the real thing. The celery stays crisp, the chicken stays tender, and that sweet-tangy balance hits every single time. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll make on repeat once you see how easy it is.
Try adding a pinch of fresh dill for an herby twist, or swap in Greek yogurt for half the mayo if you want it a little lighter. I learned from my Texas farmers’ market days that using the freshest celery makes all the differenceit should snap when you break it. Store leftovers in a glass container and they’ll stay perfect for quick lunches all week long.
I’d love to know what you think when you make thissnap a photo and share it, or tell me how your family liked it! Did you grow up with a favorite chicken salad recipe that brings back memories? Save this one for your next potluck or Sunday lunch spread. It’s the kind of simple, wholesome recipe that brings everyone back to the table.
With a passion for wholesome cooking inspired by family traditions, I create healthy, simple recipes focused on sourdough, shrimp, chicken, and balanced meals for everyday wellness.
Every recipe here is tested in my kitchen using U.S. measurements and easy-to-find ingredients, so you can cook confidently.
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