Rotisserie Chicken Salad Recipe
Starting from an already-cooked rotisserie chicken skips the boiling or poaching step entirely, and the mix of dark and white meat gives the salad more flavor and moisture than white meat alone. A dijon-and-lemon dressing cuts through the mayonnaise so the salad doesn't taste flat or one-note.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Servings
- 6
Ingredients
- 4 cups rotisserie chicken meat, shredded or chopped (skin and bones discarded)
- 3 stalks celery, finely diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, fresh
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 166
- Protein
- 21g
- Carbs
- 5g
- Fat
- 7g
Based on the recipe as written, one serving. Recalculates if you swap an ingredient above. An estimate only, exact values depend on the specific ingredients used.
Need different units or a different yield? Try our Conversion Calculator →
Instructions
- 1While the rotisserie chicken is still slightly warm, pull the meat off the bones and discard the skin, bones, and cartilage.
- 2Shred the meat with two forks or chop it into bite-size pieces, using a mix of dark and white meat rather than white meat alone.
- 3Finely dice the celery and red onion so they distribute evenly through every bite.
- 4In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, dijon mustard, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- 5Add the shredded chicken, celery, and red onion to the dressing and fold everything together until evenly coated.
- 6Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
- 7Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving so the flavors have time to meld.
- 8Serve on bread, in lettuce cups, or with crackers.
Tips & variations
- Swap half the mayonnaise for plain Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier version with less fat.
- Add 1/2 cup halved red grapes and 1/3 cup toasted pecans for a sweet-and-crunchy variation.
- A small rib of celery leaves, finely chopped, adds a fresh, slightly peppery note if the store-bought celery has none.
- One standard 2 to 2.5 pound rotisserie chicken usually yields about 3 to 4 cups of shredded meat once the skin and bones are removed, enough for this recipe with little to spare.
Storage & reheating
Store chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Stir before serving, since the dressing can separate slightly as it sits. Freezing is not recommended, since mayonnaise-based dressings break and turn watery once thawed.
Tips from the Tulo kitchen
- Draining diced celery and onion on a paper towel for a few minutes before mixing keeps the salad from turning watery in the fridge.
- For a smoother, more spreadable texture for sandwiches, pulse the chicken briefly in a food processor instead of hand-shredding it.
FAQ
How much chicken does one rotisserie chicken yield?
A typical 2 to 2.5 pound rotisserie chicken yields roughly 3 to 4 cups of shredded meat once the skin, bones, and cartilage are removed, which is enough for this recipe with little left over.
Can I use only chicken breast for this salad?
Yes, but the salad will be drier and less flavorful. Using a mix of breast and thigh meat, which is easy to do with a whole rotisserie chicken, gives a moister, more flavorful result.
Can I make chicken salad ahead of time?
Yes. It actually improves after a few hours in the fridge as the dressing soaks into the chicken. Make it up to a day ahead and store it covered until ready to serve.
Can I freeze rotisserie chicken salad?
Freezing isn't recommended because mayonnaise-based dressings separate and turn watery once thawed. If you want to freeze ahead, freeze the plain shredded chicken and mix the dressing in fresh.
Is rotisserie chicken salad safe to eat cold from the store-bought chicken?
Yes, as long as the rotisserie chicken was hot when purchased and refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking. Cool it before mixing into mayonnaise-based dressing to keep the salad food-safe.
