Skip to Content

Southern Chicken Salad Recipe

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.

Southern black folks chicken salad on croissants

Pair this with our Grilled Mango recipe!

mayo, pickle relish, raw chicken breasts, celery, and spices in separate bowls

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.

Southern black folks chicken salad in a glass mixing bowl

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.
Southern black folks chicken salad in a glass mixing bowl

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
Southern black folks chicken salad on croissants

How to Serve the Chicken Salad

  • Slices of Bread as a Sandwich
  • Croissants
  • Crackers
  • On a Bed of Lettuce

Join the Newsletter

Never miss a recipe! Subscribe to get our latest recipes by email.

    We won’t send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.
    Southern black folks chicken salad on croissants

    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 on croissants
    Southern black folks chicken salad on croissants
    Print Pin
    4.80 from 25 votes

    Southern (Black Folks) Chicken Salad

    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.
    Cook Time 15 minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 351kcal
    Author Brandi Crawford

    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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 351kcal
    Recipe Rating




    Mamaw

    Friday 1st of December 2023

    White people from Ky. make it this way too.

    Brandi Crawford

    Monday 4th of December 2023

    Thanks for letting us know.

    Jill

    Monday 4th of September 2023

    This was the perfect lunch for a busy week. I needed a cold lunch and something I could eat on the go. It tasted good and left me feeling full.

    Brandi Crawford

    Sunday 10th of September 2023

    So glad to hear it!

    Cheryle

    Monday 17th of July 2023

    Excellent change from the regular old chicken salad. I ate mine on Ritz crackers and it was a delightfully light lunch. Thank you!

    Tanya

    Thursday 27th of July 2023

    Thank you, Cheryle! So happy you liked the recipe :)

    Y Bryant

    Sunday 16th of July 2023

    Made this with a rotisserie chicken we had leftover. I added a little curry powder and chopped bell pepper and it was delish.

    Tanya

    Thursday 27th of July 2023

    Thank you Y Bryant! So happy you liked the recipe :)

    Monica

    Sunday 11th of June 2023

    This is it!!! Delicious and easy.

    Tanya

    Monday 26th of June 2023

    Thanks Monica; so happy you like the recipe.