Chicken Salad Chick Recipe (Classic Carol Chicken Salad)

This Chicken Salad Chick recipe is a spot-on copycat of the restaurant’s most popular flavor—the Classic Carol chicken salad. It’s creamy, flavorful, and just as delicious as the version you’d get in the restaurant, but now you can make it anytime at home. The best part? This copycat chicken salad comes together in just a few simple steps with everyday ingredients, making it perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or serving with crackers for a quick lunch.

Why I Love This Chicken Salad Chick Recipe

If you’ve never been to Chicken Salad Chick, it’s a restaurant chain that specializes in—you guessed it—chicken salad. They have dozens of flavors ranging from fruity and nutty to savory and even spicy, and if you’ve ever tried it, then you know just how addictive it can be.

My personal favorite has always been the Classic Carol chicken salad. I’d order it with a side of their broccoli salad every time, and after enough visits, I knew I had to recreate it at home. My version might be better than the restaurant's! I've found myself making it a bunch lately—I love having it ready in the fridge because it’s the kind of meal I could eat for lunch every single day.

What makes this recipe so good is how simple but balanced it is. Juicy, tender chicken gets mixed with a creamy combination of mayonnaise and ranch, then brightened up with crisp celery for crunch. The flavors are fresh, savory, and incredibly satisfying—exactly what you’d expect from the restaurant version.

Not only is it delicious, it's a breeze to make. While it's chilling in the fridge, I always take advantage of the time and make these crockpot cheesy potatoes and Taco Bell nacho fries to have on the side.

Ingredients

• 0.75lb. chicken tenderloins or chicken breasts
• 16oz. Chicken stock
• ⅓ cup mayonnaise
• 1 ½ tablespoon finely chopped celery
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 ½ teaspoon dry Ranch dressing seasoning

Pretty simple, right?! If you want to make another simple recipe just like this, you have to try my 4 ingredient pasta salad.

By the way, if you're looking for more easy recipes to use up your dry Ranch dressing mix, then you've got to try this Ranch chicken recipe next!

How To Make Chicken Salad Chick Classic Carol Recipe

As I mentioned earlier, this recipe is super simple to make. You basically just boil the chicken tenders, shred 'em, then mix everything up and pile it on your sandwiches.  That's really all there is to it! So, let's stop wasting time and make some chicken salad sandwiches!

Step 1: Cook the Chicken

 First, add the chicken stock to a large pot and bring it to a boil. Once the stock is boiling, reduce the heat to medium and add the chicken tenders. Now let the chicken simmer for about 15-20 minutes until it's cooked through.

Step 2: Shred the Chicken

When the chicken is fully cooked, remove the chicken tenders from the pot and allow them to cool for a minute. Once they're cool enough to handle, you can shred the chicken into pieces with two forks, your hands, or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment.

Step 3: Assemble and Serve

 Now that the chicken is ready, you can add it to a large bowl with the mayonnaise, celery, salt, pepper, and Ranch seasoning. Then you'll want to give everything a good mix until it's fully combined. You can give it a taste and adjust any seasonings as needed. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving to allow all the flavors to develop. Finally, serve the chicken salad on a bed of lettuce or as a sandwich. Enjoy!

Expert Tips

• Use freshly cooked chicken for the best texture. Poaching chicken breasts in lightly salted water (or broth) keeps them juicy and tender. Shredded rotisserie chicken works in a pinch, but the Classic Carol is all about that soft, hand-pulled chicken texture. If you're short on time or can't run to the store, a rotisserie chicken or my crock pot frozen chicken works great.
• Shred, don’t chop. For a more authentic copycat Chicken Salad Chick recipe, shred the chicken with forks or a stand mixer. Shredded chicken gives the salad a better texture.
• Don’t skip the chilling time. Letting the chicken salad rest in the fridge for at least an hour helps the flavors meld together and gives the dressing time to thicken. It tastes even better the next day, so don't be afraid to double this recipe!
• Balance the creaminess. Start with less mayo, then add more if needed. The chicken should be lightly coated—not swimming in sauce—so the flavors of the chicken and celery still shine through. I like to add a little at a time until everything is coated how I like it.
• Season to taste. A pinch of salt and black pepper goes a long way. Taste right before serving and adjust—especially if you’re pairing it with salty crackers or bread.
• Make it your own. While the Classic Carol chicken salad keeps it simple, you can fold in extras like sliced grapes, toasted pecans, or fresh dill if you want a twist.
• Serving ideas. Serve it the classic way—on a soft sandwich bun or with crackers. For a lighter meal, spoon it over a bed of greens or stuff it into lettuce wraps. Or you can just eat it straight out of a bowl with a fork.

Chicken Salad Chick Recipe FAQS

How do I store leftover chicken salad?

Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. Then whenever you want to eat it again, just take it out of the fridge and dig in!

Can I use other chicken in this recipe?

Yes, you can use any type of chicken you prefer. I used chicken tenderloins, but you can use chicken breasts, any leftover chicken in the fridge, or a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store.

What is Chicken Salad Chick chicken salad made of?

It's made of white meat shredded chicken, finely minced celery, mayonnaise, and their secret seasoning. Additionally, there are some extra ingredients depending on the type you choose. 

Why is it called Chicken Salad Chick?

Chicken Salad Chick got its name after the founder and owner, Stacy Brown, who started the business idea in her kitchen. She realized that everyone's idea of the perfect chicken salad was different, so she began creating various variations. They were a hit and turned into the successful franchise it is today.

More Copycat Recipes To Try Next

Looking for more copycat recipes from your favorite restaurants?

If you are, check all of these out next:

• La Scala chopped salad
• Mediterranean pasta salad
• Olive Garden shrimp scampi
• Panera broccoli cheddar soup
• Texas Roadhouse rolls
• Popeyes red beans and rice
• Chipotle fajita veggies
• Panera strawberry poppyseed salad

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