This Southern Chicken Salad is the best old-fashioned recipe. Black folks chicken salad is made with mayo, pickle relish, spices, and more. Feel free to toss in eggs if you prefer.
Pair this with our Grilled Mango recipe!
What Type of Chicken to Use
This recipe is typically made using chicken breasts. You can also use chicken thighs, leftover rotisserie chicken, or store-bought fully cooked chicken breasts/cubes.
How to Cook the Chicken
I like to air fry the chicken. Check out this Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe. You can also roast the chicken. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Add 2 chicken breasts to a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake the chicken for 16-20 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer.
Can You Use Canned Chicken?
You can use the same amount of chicken noted in the recipe if you wish to use canned chicken.
How to Make Southern Chicken Salad
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Combine cooked chicken, mayo, relish, celery, onions, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste in a bowl.
- Stir and served chilled or warm.
What Type of Mayo to Use/Can You Use Miracle Whip
Duke’s Mayo is a Southern favorite and can be found in many recipes. The best mayo to use is your personal favorite. You can use Miracle Whip if you wish.
How to Substitute Mayo
If you are looking to make the recipe with no mayo, use plain Greek yogurt or sour cream instead.
Substitutions and Other Add In Ideas
- Fresh Lemon Juice
- Boiled Eggs
- Mustard
- Grapes
- Apples
- Almonds
- Pecans
- Pickles
- Bell Peppers
- Avocado
How to Serve the Chicken Salad
- Slices of Bread as a Sandwich
- Croissants
- Crackers
- On a Bed of Lettuce
What to Pair With the Salad
Air Fryer French Fries
Garlic Butter Sweet Potato Fries
Plantain Chips
Apple Chips
Fried Mushrooms
Sauteed Asparagus
Homemade Pita Chips
Vegan Cornbread
Cajun Stuffed Chicken
How Long it Will Last in Fridge
Store the chicken salad in the fridge tightly covered and sealed for 3 days
Watery Chicken Salad
Leftover chicken salad will get watery as it absorbs the moisture from the salad ingredients. You can drain the excess water and give the salad a stir.
Can You Freeze It?
You can freeze it, but I wouldn’t recommend it. In general, mayo does not freeze well and usually develops ice crystals.
Southern (Black Folks) Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken breasts Shredded or chopped into cubes. You can use rotisserie chicken, cooked chicken, or roast your own chicken breasts.
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1 celery stalk Finely chopped
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onions Add more/adjust to taste as necessary.
- 1/4 cup pickle relish I used sweet relish. Use what you prefer.
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and stir. Taste repeatedly and adjust the spices to suit your taste.
- Serve chilled or warm.
Notes
- Feel free to add cooked, boiled eggs to the salad.
- When using rotisserie chicken, I remove the skin from the breasts. You can leave it if you wish.
- The consistency of this chicken salad is thick and creamy. If you like a really creamy salad, add additional mayo.
- If you are looking to make the recipe with no mayo, use plain Greek yogurt or sour cream instead.
- Leftover chicken salad will get watery as it absorbs the moisture from the salad ingredients. You can drain the excess water and give the salad a stir.
Michelle Smith
Saturday 20th of May 2023
I am not black but we are southern (Alabama) and we loved this simple chicken salad recipe the only things I did different was double the recipe (I had a lot of leftover baked chicken) and I only had dill relish so I didn't use sweet/heat (we love it also) next time. Thanks so much for this recipe! I look forward to trying a lot of your other recipes too!
Brandi Crawford
Sunday 4th of June 2023
I hope you enjoy them!
Kells
Saturday 5th of November 2022
Did it with Sam's chicken (definitely seasoned as shown above) and family loves it. This is good 👍🏿
Davinah Cenou Montezuma
Sunday 6th of November 2022
Kells, we're so happy that you enjoyed this!
Jennifer Barker
Sunday 18th of September 2022
This is our family recipe, and we are white folk. ✌
JaCurry
Tuesday 30th of May 2023
@Jerry, yours just be season with season salt and AXEcent
Jerry
Sunday 2nd of October 2022
@Jennifer Barker, you want a cookie or something? Girl please, Y’all stuff do not be seasoned.
Brandi Crawford
Sunday 18th of September 2022
Kudos.
A Kay A
Saturday 27th of August 2022
ty for "specifying" what type of recipe this is! If I read one more chicken salad recipe with nuts and grapes...
Brandi Crawford
Sunday 28th of August 2022
Yes!
Theresa White
Thursday 16th of June 2022
This chicken salad is the best,l just made it and now this is my favorite recipe, I spread slices of avocado before making a sandwich which made it even more yummy 😋 Thanks a bunch!
Brandi Crawford
Thursday 16th of June 2022
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it.