Rotisserie chicken makes it easy to put together a delicious chicken salad. Place it on a croissant roll for a chicken salad sandwich.
Chicken salad sandwiches are a beloved classic, offering a delightful combination of tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and a creamy dressing. This recipe is a great way to utilize leftover rotisserie chicken or fresh chicken meat, making it both convenient and flavorful. The inclusion of simple ingredients like green onions, crunchy celery, and fresh herbs such as dill and parsley enhances the savory flavors of this dish. For a healthier twist, substituting some or all of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt or sour cream can reduce calories and increase protein content, aligning with a heart-healthy diet.
Serving Suggestions
While the classic is serving chicken salad in a sandwich, you can transform it into multiple delicious options. Spoon it over a bed of crisp greens for a chicken salad salad. Wrap it in large lettuce leaves or tortillas for a low-carb wrap. Use it as a filling for croissants, bagels, pita pockets, or inside hollowed-out tomatoes. Turn it into a chicken salad pasta salad by mixing in cooked small pasta shapes and extra veggies. Serve alongside crisp crackers or chips for scooping. Garnish with fresh herbs or microgreens to improve visual appeal and flavor.
- Classic Sandwich: Serve on your favorite bread or croissant for a traditional approach.
- Lettuce Wraps: For a low-carb option, spoon the chicken salad into crisp lettuce cups.
- On a Bed of Lettuce: Serve over mixed salad greens for a light and refreshing meal.
Incorporating this chicken salad into your meal rotation is a great choice for healthy lunches, especially on hot summer days when you crave something light yet satisfying. It’s also an excellent way to use up leftover chicken, saving you a lot of time in the kitchen.
Remember, while this recipe offers a delicious and easy chicken salad, it’s essential to consider your personal health condition and consult with a registered dietitian or primary care provider to ensure it aligns with your dietary needs. Always check nutrition labels and be mindful of the percent daily value of nutrients to maintain a balanced calorie diet.
Enjoy this classic chicken salad recipe as a staple in your collection of comfort foods, bringing a nostalgic flavor to your table with every bite.
Ingredient Variations & Mix-Ins You’ll Love
You don’t have to stop with the “classic” mix of chicken, mayo, celery, and onion. Try adding chopped red or green grapes for a juicy burst, or diced crisp apple for subtle sweetness. Chopped nuts—such as toasted pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds—bring crunch and richness. Fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or chives lend brightness. You can also mix in finely diced red bell pepper, sliced grapes, or even a spoonful of dried cranberries. Want to lighten it? Replace up to half the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt, or use a lighter mayonnaise blend. For a touch of tang, stir in a bit of Dijon mustard or a splash of lemon juice. These optional mix-ins elevate your chicken salad beyond the ordinary.
How to Prep Chicken & Add-Ins for Best Texture
For an ideal mouthfeel, cut your cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces, roughly ½-inch cubes, or shred with forks for a softer texture. If using leftover roasted or grilled chicken, trim off excess fat and cool it fully before mixing. For celery or bell pepper, dice into small uniform pieces to avoid overscaling crunch. If using nuts, toast them lightly in a dry skillet over low heat until fragrant (about 3–4 minutes), then cool before adding to maintain their snap. When combining, fold gently until all bits are coated; avoid overmixing, which can crush tender bits and turn the salad mushy. If after mixing it seems too dry, stir in a little extra mayo or a splash of milk or buttermilk; if too loose, add more shredded chicken or nuts to absorb excess moisture.
Cooking & Preparation Methods for the Chicken
You don’t have to rely solely on leftover chicken. Rotisserie chicken is convenient and flavorful, but you can also poach boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs by simmering in water or broth until internal temperature reaches 165°F, then cooling and shredding. Grilled or roasted chicken works beautifully — just let it rest and cool fully before chopping. If planning ahead, dice or shred cooked chicken and freeze it in portioned batches (without mayo). Then when you’re ready, thaw and mix in the dressing ingredients. This lets you assemble fresh chicken salad quickly whenever you like.
Storage, Shelf Life & Freezing Tips
Store chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge and consume within 3 to 5 days. Always stir it before serving, as liquids tend to settle. Avoid leaving it at room temperature more than two hours (or one hour in warmer settings). Freezing a prepared chicken salad is not recommended because mayonnaise doesn’t freeze well and textures degrade. Instead, freeze just the cooked and shredded or cubed chicken (without dressing) in single-serving portions. When you’re ready to use it, thaw in the refrigerator and mix with the dressing and add-ins. If grapes or nuts soften after storage, refresh the texture with a few extra crisp elements before serving.
Nutritional Snapshot & Tips for a Lighter Version
Here’s an approximate nutritional estimate per serving (based on 1 cup): ~300 kcal, 18–20 g protein, 20–22 g fat, 4–6 g carbohydrates (this will vary with your exact ingredients). To reduce calories, replace up to half the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt, use light or low-fat mayo, and scale back higher-fat mix-ins like nuts. You can also boost volume (without many calories) by folding in extra crunchy vegetables like celery, bell pepper, or cucumber. Adding fresh lemon juice or Dijon mustard delivers flavor without added fat.
Chicken Salad Sandwich Step by Step
Ingredients
- 4 cups shredded chicken (rotisserie or chicken breast)
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tsp pepper
- 4 croissant rolls
Preparation
In a medium mixing bowl, mix the shredded chicken with the green onions, mayonnaise, and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to 1 day ahead.
Slice the croissant rolls in half horizontally.
Scoop about 1/4 of the chicken salad onto the bottom of each croissant.
Place the top on the croissant and serve immediately.
Add-Ins
- Red Grapes
- Walnuts
- Bacon
- Diced onion
- Dill
- Chopped Celery
- Almonds
Chicken Salad Sandwich Leftovers
Storage: Store any leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This allows for easy meal prep and ensures the flavors meld together beautifully for your next serving.
Recipe
Originally Published On: March 17, 2021
Last Updated On: October 16, 2025
Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 4 cups shredded chicken (rotisserie or chicken breast)
- 2 green onions (chopped)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 4 croissant rolls
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, mix the shredded chicken with the green onions, mayonnaise, and pepper
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to 1 day ahead
- Slice the croissant rolls in half horizontally
- Scoop about 1/4 of the chicken salad onto the bottom of each croissant
- Place the top on the croissant and serve immediately
Notes
- Red Grapes
- Walnuts
- Bacon
- Diced Onion
- Dill
- Chopped Celery
- Almonds
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Chicken Salad Sandwich FAQs
If you were to make the chicken salad without the bread, it would likely fall under the category of keto. But the bread to make it into a sandwich puts it out of that classification.
While it can be frozen, I wouldn’t suggest it. The mayonnaise will start to separate and it will change the texture of the overall dish.
Either one is good, but I prefer it cold.
Rotisserie Chicken Recipes
- Chicken and Whole Grain Stir-Fry
- Chicken Salad Sandwich
- Ultimate Guide to Cooking Chicken
- Lazy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
- Chicken Enchilada Suizas Skillet Dinner
- Greek Chicken Salad
- Mini Chicken Pot Pies
- Chicken Curry Flatbread
- Crispy Chicken Wraps
Sandwich Recipes
- Chicken Salad Sandwich
- BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
- Fried Tilapia Sandwich
- Christmas Sandwiches: A Family Holiday Tradition
- Classic Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Classic BLT Sandwich
- Quick and Easy Peanut Butter and Honey Sandwich
- Class Reuben Sandwich
- How to Make the Perfect Classic Egg Salad Sandwich
- Easy Hawaiian Sliders Recipe with Ham and Cheese
Camping Recipes
- Best Tips for How to Pack Food for a Camping Trip
- Dutch Oven Apple Cobbler Dump Cake Recipe for Camping
- Frito Pies or Walking Tacos
- S’Mores Cookies – Girl Scouts Copycat Recipe
- Fluffy and Yummy Scrambled Eggs
- Breakfast in a Bag Camping Meal
- Quick and Easy Bisquick Pancakes
- How to Create an Allergy-Friendly Taco Bar
- Chicken Salad Sandwich
Sent this to my hubs. He lvoes him some chicken salad sandwhiches! THat bread looks really good!
Oh my gosh, the croissant bread is amazing for these!
This looks like a simple recipe for those who are on the go. Quick, easy to make, but full of ingredients!
Definitely simple and delicious! I’ve made them before to take to work for lunch since it’s best when cold.
Looks yummy! I love chicken salad sandwich (one of my favorites).
It’s so good! 🙂
This is such a simple meal but always so delicious. We often have it for lunch. It is quick and easy to make and everyone eats it.
I love having some chicken salad ready to go for lunch. It’s so easy to make and bring to work or school.
Ooo I love a good chicken salad! So much better to make it at home than buying it at a store so that it isn’t all dried out. This looks delicious!
Yes! I always try to make things at home. You can also control the ingredients and exactly what add-ons you may want.
I haven’t had breakfast yet and now my tummy is growling! This looks amazing! Chicken? Yes!, Onions? Yes!, Croissants? Yes! Yes! Yes! Thanks for sharing i will be making it asap!
I know that feeling! It makes food blogging so hard sometimes!
That looks so good. This would be the perfect lunch to send the kids to school with, I bet my daughter would love it.
I’ve taken it to lunch at school myself when I’m subbing there. It’s even better if you can send the chicken salad in a container and let her spread it on the croissant so it doesn’t get soggy during the day.
Looks like a simple recipe that goes a long ways! Love that type! Will definitely add this to my hostess box!
It really is! My aunt will sometimes make it to serve at my mom’s big scrapbooking events so makes enough for 100 people pretty easily!
Looks and sounds so delicious! I love the idea of it served on a fresh, crisp croissant.
The croissant really brings it all together. So much better than regular bread.
This looks so so good!!! I can’t wait to make your recipe, it is very easy to follow! Thank you.
I try to make them as easy as possible to follow 🙂
I love chicken salad and I love taking it as sandwiches to work, need to try this recipe soon
It’s best if you can take the chicken salad in a container and then spread it on the croissant when you are ready to eat. Then the bread doesn’t get soggy.
I am in love with chicken salad. I don’t know why I never thought to put it on a sandwich. I may have to make this soon.
Oh my gosh, the croissant makes it so much better!