Honestly, finding a truly great chicken salad that doesn’t involve that startling, sometimes bitter crunch of celery can feel like a conspiracy! Some people just aren’t fans of that texture, and trying to pick it all out is just sad. Well, my friends, those days are over because I have perfected the ultimate creamy, flavor-packed **Easy Chicken Salad Recipe Without Celery**.
This recipe is my absolute go-to when I need a lunch ready in minutes—seriously, 10 minutes max if your chicken is already cooked. I relied on this recipe throughout my busiest years when microwaving leftovers just wasn’t cutting it. It perfectly balances tanginess and richness without needing any celery at all. Trust me, this simple mix has become the reigning champion of my lunch rotation.
Why This Easy Chicken Salad Recipe Without Celery Shines (E-E-A-T)
When you ditch celery, you have to make sure the other players really bring their A-game, right? That’s exactly what this recipe does. It shines because it’s brutally honest about being simple, but it never sacrifices flavor or texture for speed. It’s the perfect quick lunch solution!
- It’s lightning fast—you’re done mixing before you can even get out a lunchbox for tomorrow.
- The flavor is bright; we lean on pickle relish and onion instead of celery for a pleasant little bite.
- It’s incredibly versatile, which is just icing on the cake (or, well, chicken salad on a cracker!).
This is the tried-and-true version I always go back to. You can check out the similar speed of my chickpea salad when you need a meatless option in a pinch!
Quick Prep Time for Your Easy Chicken Salad Recipe Without Celery
Folks, get this: the total active time here is just 10 minutes. Ten! Since we aren’t cooking anything—we just need cooked chicken, which you likely have leftover—this is pure assembly. You mix it, stir it, and you’re done. It really doesn’t get any easier than that for a satisfying, protein-packed lunch.
Texture Focus: Achieving Creaminess in Your Easy Chicken Salad Recipe Without Celery
Most people think the crunch factor in chicken salad *has* to be celery, but I’m here to tell you no! The finely diced onion gives you just that little bit of structure without the overwhelming veggie flavor. We rely on the mayonnaise and the sweet pickle relish to give you that perfect, comforting, creamy mouthfeel. It coats the shredded chicken beautifully, making every single bite smooth and glorious.
Essential Ingredients for the Easy Chicken Salad Recipe Without Celery
Okay, getting this right is all about using what you have and making sure those non-celery textures are doing the heavy lifting. Because this is an *easy* chicken salad, we’re keeping the ingredient list short and sweet, but don’t think that means boring! It’s all about precision here, so grab your measuring spoons. You’ll want to make sure your chicken is well-shredded or diced small.
For the base, you simply need two cups of that cooked chicken. Then, the magic happens with the binders and flavor boosters. You’re grabbing about half a cup of mayonnaise—yes, the real stuff for the best creamy texture! Don’t forget the Dijon mustard for a little zip. If you need tips on getting perfectly seasoned shredded chicken on the fly, I’ve got a great recipe for that, too!
Here’s what goes into the bowl for perfect no-celery salad:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion (this gives us the light crunch!)
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish (this is key for tanginess!)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Easy Chicken Salad Recipe Without Celery
Putting this together is so fast, you’ll worry you missed a step! But honestly, that is the beauty of this recipe. We are just layering moisture and flavor on top of our delicious pre-cooked chicken. Grab a good medium bowl—one big enough to stir without splashing everything onto your counter, which I *always* manage to do!
First things first, get your prepped chicken right into that bowl. Don’t be timid; dump it all in there. Then, you start adding the wet stuff. We’re going straight in with the mayonnaise, the sweet pickle relish (which is doing the heavy lifting for that crunch!), the mustard, and of course, the salt and pepper. You don’t need to mix anything separately; it’s all going in together for one big, happy flavor party.
Now, here’s where you put in a little elbow grease for about a minute. Use a sturdy wooden spoon or a silicone spatula and fold everything together gently. You want it uniform, but be careful not to mash it into a paste! We are looking for coated shreds, not baby food. Once everything looks happy and combined, give it a quick taste test. Does it need a tiny bit more salt? Maybe a dash more pepper? Adjust right there. You can add a fun twist here by thinking about how you serve a classic Cobb salad—you want distinct layers of flavor, even in a mixed salad!
The Crucial Step: Chilling Your Easy Chicken Salad Recipe Without Celery
If you eat this immediately, it’s good, sure. But if you want it to be *amazing*? You have to let it chill. I know, I know, waiting is the hardest part of quick recipes, but hear me out. Those 30 minutes in the fridge are essential because that’s when the onion mellows out just a touch, and the Dijon mustard and relish really get to know the mayonnaise and the chicken. The flavors meld, the tang softens, and you end up with that deep, perfectly balanced chicken salad flavor that tastes like it simmered all day. Don’t skip that chilling time, or you’re missing half the magic!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Easy Chicken Salad Recipe Without Celery
This recipe is pretty fantastic on its own, but I love how flexible it is! Because we’ve skipped the celery, we have a little wiggle room to customize things based on what you have in the fridge or what you’re craving that day. I always tell people that once you have the basic chicken/mayo/seasoning ratio down, you can run with it. It’s all about making it *your* perfect quick lunch.
If you’re worried about the fat content or just want something that feels a little lighter after a big dinner the night before, I have a great trick up my sleeve. You can totally swap out half of the mayonnaise for plain Greek yogurt. It adds a nice tanginess, just like sour cream would, and seriously cuts down on the richness without affecting the texture much at all. I sometimes even use up to a full 1/4 cup of yogurt if I’m feeling healthy!
Now for the sweet factor! If you love that classic deli flavor that has just a hint of surprising sweetness, you absolutely must try adding some chopped grapes. Seriously, dice up about 1/4 cup of green or red grapes and fold them in with the relish. They add a juicy pop that works incredibly well with the Dijon. If you’ve ever made a great chickpea salad, you know how well fruit mixes with savory spreads, and this is the same principle!
The main thing is never to skip that sweet pickle relish, though. It brings acidity and sugar that a plain dill pickle just can’t match in this context. It’s the secret sauce for getting that authentic, craveable flavor profile without celery in the mix!
Serving Suggestions for Your Easy Chicken Salad Recipe Without Celery
So, you’ve got your creamy, perfect, celery-free chicken salad chilled and ready to go. Now what? This is the fun part! Because this recipe is so simple and has that beautiful classic flavor, it’s happy to play the star in whatever scenario you put it in. I’ve tried everything over the years to spruce up my quick lunches.
The main ways I serve this go-to recipe are the tried-and-true classics, which are classics for a reason! You absolutely cannot go wrong serving this chicken salad on fresh, soft bread—white or wheat, whatever makes you happy. If you’re counting carbs or just love a crisp bite, using sturdy crackers as your vehicle is completely satisfying. I love grabbing my favorites, loading them up, and eating them before they get too soggy!
But if you want that unique serving idea I promised? Try turning it into a stunning stuffed tomato! Grab a big, beautiful beefsteak tomato, slice the top off, scoop out the seeds and a little bit of the inside flesh, and then just spoon this chicken salad right into the cavity. It looks so fancy on a plate, especially with a little sprinkle of fresh parsley on top. It makes a fantastic, cool, open-faced sandwich that’s perfect for a summer lunch.
If you’re looking for other ways to serve your protein salads, you should check out how folks dress up a Cobb salad—it shows you how different textures can elevate something simple! But honestly, for this specific no-celery blend, keep it simple and enjoy that perfect, smooth texture.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips for Easy Chicken Salad Recipe Without Celery
Listen, leftovers are the best part of making a quick lunch, because it means you only have to do the work once! Since this chicken salad is so simple and doesn’t have any crunchy celery that wilts overnight—which is a huge bonus compared to other recipes—it keeps really well. That 30-minute chilling period I insisted on? That actually makes it a fantastic make-ahead meal!
The secret to keeping it perfect is a good, airtight container. Don’t just toss it in the bowl and stick plastic wrap over the top; seriously, folks, that leads to sad, slightly dry chicken salad on the edges. Use a Tupperware or a glass container with a tight-sealing lid. Pop it in the coldest part of your fridge.
I find that this easy chicken salad recipe without celery stays undeniably fresh and perfectly flavored for about three to four days. After day four, the onion starts to lose its little textural zip, even though it’s perfectly safe to eat. If you’re planning ahead for the work week, making a big batch on Sunday means you have Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday covered!
It also seems to taste even better on day two! When it chills overnight, the Dijon and the relish really infuse the chicken. I always make sure to mix it the night before if I know I have a busy morning, and it is such a sanity saver to just grab and go. It tastes just as creamy and homemade as it did right after mixing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Easy Chicken Salad Recipe Without Celery
I get so many questions about this recipe because once people realize they don’t miss the celery, they immediately want to customize everything! It’s a common thought process when you find that perfect base for a quick lunch. Here are a few things folks always ask me about making this truly the best no celery chicken salad.
Can I make this Easy Chicken Salad Recipe Without Celery ahead of time?
Oh, absolutely! In fact, I highly recommend it. Remember how I stressed that 30-minute chill time? Well, if you leave it longer, it only gets better. As long as you keep it tucked away in a truly airtight container in the fridge—I mean, really sealed tight—it holds up beautifully for those three to four days. Since there are no watery veggies like celery waiting around to break down, this particular mix stays creamy and wonderful for longer. It’s my secret weapon for speedy lunch packing across several days!
What is the best way to shred chicken for this Easy Chicken Salad Recipe Without Celery?
This depends on how much effort you want to put in, but honestly, I’m all about efficiency these days. If you have about 5 minutes to spare, the two-fork method is classic: take two regular table forks and just pull them against each other through the cooked chicken breast or thigh. It creates perfect, cozy shreds that hold onto that mayo dressing perfectly.
But if you’re doing a huge batch, you *have* to try the stand mixer method! Put the warm chicken breast right into the bowl of your stand mixer, use the paddle attachment, and run it on low for about 30 seconds. It fluffs the chicken up into the softest shreds you’ve ever seen. It’s almost magic! If you need to cook your chicken from scratch, check out my guide on seasoning shredded chicken first; that flavor foundation is everything.
Is this recipe low-carb friendly?
This is a great question, especially if you are watching your sugars! Since we swapped out chunky veggies for onion and sweet relish, the carbs are lower than a recipe loaded with grapes or carrots. Per serving, you’re looking at only about 5 grams of carbohydrates, and most of that is coming from the relish. If you serve this over lettuce wraps or just eat it with a fork, it works wonderfully as a low-carb quick lunch. Just be mindful of using sweet pickle relish rather than something like honey mustard!
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
Yes, go for it! Using rotisserie chicken is probably the fastest way to get this on the table. Just grab about two cups of the meat, making sure to pull out most of the skin (unless you like that in your salad, which is fine too!). The only thing I say is that rotisserie chicken is pre-seasoned, so when you are adding your salt and pepper, taste it first after mixing. You might not need as much extra seasoning!
Nutritional Snapshot of This Easy Chicken Salad Recipe Without Celery
Now, I know some of you are tracking macros or just curious about what you’re eating for that quick lunch, so let’s touch quickly on the numbers for this Easy Chicken Salad Recipe Without Celery. Keep in mind, this is the estimate for one serving—about half a cup of this creamy deliciousness! I always tell my readers not to stress too much over exact numbers, especially since homemade recipes always vary slightly based on the brand of mayo you use or how much chicken you pack into that scoop.
But for general planning, here is what you can expect from this satisfying, protein-packed salad:
- Calories: Around 280 per serving
- Protein: A whopping 24 grams! This is why it keeps you full until dinner time.
- Fat: About 18 grams (this is where that lovely mayonnaise comes in for the creaminess, of course!).
- Carbohydrates: Low, just around 5 grams per serving.
Because this recipe relies heavily on chicken and fats for texture rather than added sugars or starches (unless you count the grapes!), it’s a fantastic choice if you’re eating low carb. If you’re worried about the sodium, remember that you control the salt added at the end, so adjust that to fit your dietary needs. I think knowing the balance of protein keeps you feeling full makes this recipe that much better for weekdays!
Share Your Perfect Easy Chicken Salad Recipe Without Celery Experience
That’s it! You’ve got my go-to, no-fuss, no-celery recipe, and all the tips I use to make sure it stays creamy and flavorful for days. Now the kitchen is yours! I truly believe that the best recipes become a collaboration between the writer and the home cook, and I’m so excited to see how you put your own spin on this.
Did you try adding those chopped grapes? Maybe you found another unexpected ingredient that perfectly replaces that celery crunch? Or perhaps you found the absolute best bread for piling this mixture high? I want to hear all about it!
Please take a moment right below this text to tell me how your **Easy Chicken Salad Recipe Without Celery** turned out. If you loved it and it saved your lunch plans for the week, please leave a star rating! Your feedback means the world to me and helps other people who are tired of celery feel confident enough to try this streamlined version. Happy mixing, everyone!
Print
Simple Chicken Salad Without Celery
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A straightforward recipe for classic chicken salad, omitting celery.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Place the shredded or diced chicken in a medium bowl.
- Add the mayonnaise, chopped onion, sweet pickle relish, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to the bowl.
- Mix all ingredients together until well combined.
- Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
- Serve the salad on lettuce leaves, bread, or crackers.
- You can add 1/4 cup of chopped grapes for sweetness.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 24
- Cholesterol: 75
Keywords: chicken salad, no celery, easy chicken salad, quick lunch, shredded chicken