This Rotisserie Chicken Salad recipe only needs 5 ingredients and is so easy. Learn how to make chicken salad out of rotisserie chicken for a quick weeknight meal!
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Rotisserie Chicken Salad Recipe
Sometimes you just need a quick meal for busy days, and this Rotisserie Chicken Salad sandwich recipe is one for the books. With just a few ingredients and no need for the oven, this is perfect for hot summer days!
Be sure to pick up a rotisserie chicken from the store the next time you go to enjoy this dish! It’ll be a summer staple in no time.
If you love a classic chicken salad, you’ll want to try my Lemon Basil Chicken Salad with Pecans next. It’s bright, herby, and has the best crunch. For more easy lunches, these fresh, creamy Tuna Avocado Lettuce Wraps and savory Peanut Ground Turkey Lettuce Wraps come together fast.
If you like to prep ahead, these sweet and tangy Pineapple Chicken Meal Prep Bowls will keep you covered all week.
Note from the Author
2026 Update: When I first shared this recipe back in 2021, it was a simple post with just the basics. Iāve since updated it with more tips and step-by-step details so youāll have everything you need to make the most flavorful rotisserie chicken salad at home.
Step by Step Instructions
Check out the recipe card below for more in-depth instructions for this rotisserie chicken salad recipe:
- Shred: Pull the skin off your rotisserie chicken, then take the meat off the bones and shred it with your hands or two forks. It’s easiest while the chicken is still a little warm.
- Chop: Dice the celery into small, even pieces so you get a little crunch in every bite.
- Stir: Add the shredded rotisserie chicken, diced celery, mayo, salt, and pepper to a large bowl and stir until everything is well coated.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Don’t skip this part. The flavors blend together as it sits, and honestly, it’s even better the next day.
- Serve: Pile it onto croissants, scoop it with crackers for easy snacks, or spoon it into lettuce cups. Refrigerate any leftovers in a sealed container.
No oven or slow-cooker needed, which makes this perfect for hot summer days.
KitchenAid Stand Mixer
This Stand Mixer is a kitchen staple with it’s endless options for attachments!
Have extra rotisserie chicken and looking for another easy lunch option? Try out this Chicken Macaroni Salad! Looking for an even more decadent version of a chicken sandwich? Try out this Ohio Shredded Chicken Sandwich.
Recipe Testing Notes and Tips
As a recipe developer with a degree in food science, I create approachable recipes you can trust. Here are a few takeaways:
- Start with less mayo: Add most of the mayo first, then stir in more until you get the creamy texture you like. It’s easy to add more, but you can’t take it out.
- Mix light and dark meat: Using both breast and thigh meat makes a juicier, more flavorful chicken salad than breast meat alone.
- Keep the chopped pieces small: Dice the celery and any add-ins about the same size as the shredded chicken so every bite is balanced.
- Taste after chilling: Cold food tastes less salty, so give it one more taste after it’s been in the fridge and add salt and pepper if it needs it.
- The food science bit: Salt pulls water out of celery (and onions, if you add them), so chicken salad can get a little watery by the next day. Just give it a good stir before serving, or pat your celery dry after chopping to keep things creamy.
Tip
If you want the creamiest chicken salad, let your rotisserie chicken cool before you add the mayo.
The chicken shreds most easily while it’s still warm, but mayo is an emulsion, and heat can make it separate and turn greasy. Shred the chicken warm, then let it cool for a few minutes before you stir everything together. You’ll get a rich, creamy texture that stays that way in the fridge.
Variations
- Cranberry pecan: Stir in dried cranberries and chopped pecans for a sweet, crunchy fall version.
- Almond crunch: Add toasted sliced almonds for a nutty, buttery crunch.
- Red onion and fresh herbs: Fold in finely diced red onion plus chopped parsley, chives, or dill for a bright, herby twist.
- Sweet and crisp: Add diced apples or halved grapes for pops of juicy sweetness.
- Dill pickle: Stir in diced dill pickles and a splash of pickle juice for a tangy kick.
- Spicy: Mix in a spoonful of spicy mustard or a drizzle of sriracha.
Recipe FAQs
Chicken salad is great because of how versatile it can be. Sticking with the classics of mayonnaise, celery, salt and pepper are always a good choice.
To add more crunch, diced apples or grapes add a great texture and a little brightness. Diced dill pickles or fresh dill can be a great option if you’re a dill fan!
Other seasonings like a spicy mustard, sriracha, ranch dressing or curry powder add a great flavor to make it standout from your typical chicken salad.
If mayonnaise isn’t your favorite, using plain greek using can be a good alternative.
Making a rotisserie chicken salad sandwich on mini croissants is one of my families favorite ways to enjoy this! If you can buy croissants from the store, it’s a great option.
It is great on regular bread, as a side with crackers, or even on it’s own.
In an airtight container, chicken salad should last for three to five days in the refrigerator. It makes for a great meal prep option for those lunches when making food sounds like the last thing you want to do.
Shredding and breaking down a store bought rotisserie chicken can be intimidating, but it really isn’t too hard. If anything, it can just be a little messy! Definitely be prepared to get your hands dirty.
Breaking down your rotisserie chicken while it is still warm is when it’s easiest. If it’s cold, it makes it a little harder to shred.
Keeping the skin on is up to you, but I tend to remove it completely since it can get chewy in the mixture.
Next, you’ll want to break down your individual chicken parts – think chicken breast pieces, wings and thighs. It’s easier to take the meat from the bone then shred them.
Once those are removed, you can easily shred the chicken, either by hand, using forks, or a stand mixer.
This guide on how to shred a rotisserie chicken is more in-depth if you’re looking for more details on how!
Sticking with basic flavors like original oven roasted or honey are usually a good choice! They don’t add too much extra seasoning that aren’t typical in chicken salad.
Most grocery stores like Publix, Giant, Ingles, HEB, or Cotsco offer other flavor types which would make for great alternatives too!
Flavors and textures from lemon pepper or herbed chicken, for example, will give you entirely different meals without much extra work.
Some grocery stores are even offering pre-picked rotisserie chicken which makes this dish even easier. I would 10/10 always pick that if it’s an option.
Rotisserie Chicken Salad Recipe
This Rotisserie Chicken Salad recipe only needs 5 ingredients and is so easy. Learn how to make chicken salad out of rotisserie chicken for a quick weeknight meal!
Ingredients
- 6-7 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 1 and Ā½ cups diced celery, about 3-4 stalks
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- Ā½ teaspoon salt
- Ā½ teaspoon pepper
To serve:
- Croissants
- Crackers
Instructions
- Combine shredded rotisserie chicken, diced celery, mayonnaise, salt and pepper into a bowl.
- Serve on croissants or with crackers and enjoy!
Notes
- Refrigerate any leftovers in a sealable container.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 501Total Fat: 35gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 25gCholesterol: 175mgSodium: 915mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 47g
