Easy Chicken Salad Croissant Sandwiches

There's no quick meal more refreshing than this chicken salad croissant sandwich recipe. From the flaky croissants to the creamy and flavorful chicken salad, you'll be delighted with every bite. Plus, more than just tasting incredible, they're also super quick and easy to put together. In fact, just 5 steps are all you need to follow to make these croissant sandwiches and they're ready in no time.

There's nothing I like better than a recipe that uses up leftovers. I usually have pre-cooked chicken in my fridge at any given moment, and these chicken salad croissants are the perfect way to use that up. The chicken is tossed in a creamy mayo mixture with dried cranberries, nuts, celery, and bacon. It's an incredible flavor experience in every bite.

On top of how yummy these croissant sandwiches are, they're also the perfect meal when you need a quick lunch or a super simple weeknight dinner. And, I'm not going to lie, most days I need something quick to make for my kids and these sandwiches are a hit with them every time.

With that said, these croissant sandwiches are a great option to feed a crowd with. We've mass-produced them several times for parties we've hosted, and everyone always devours them.

Why you'll love this recipe

It's quick. You can easily whip these chicken salad croissants up in less than twenty minutes. There's no cooking involved if you're using precooked chicken which saves you so much time in the kitchen.

It's filling. This dish is one of my favorites because it is light but still super satisfying! I find that I can have two sandwiches at most and I'm nice and full for a while.

It uses up leftovers. I love whipping this dish up when I have leftover chicken in the fridge from previous dinners. You can also use a store-bought rotisserie chicken!

It's a crowd-pleaser. You do not need to worry when serving these sandwiches up at a family gathering or dinner party! This is such a classic combination it is sure to please everyone from the oldest to the youngest.

Ingredients

Here's everything you'll need for the sandwiches:

• Croissants- fresh, cut in half lengthwise.
• Chicken- shredded, pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken.
• Bacon- pre-cooked, cooled, and chopped, brings smokiness to the dish.
• Cranberries- dried, roughly diced or kept whole if small enough.
• Nuts- pecans or walnuts, roughly diced, adds crunch and texture.
• Red onion- diced small, a refreshing taste that cuts through the rich sauce.
• Celery- washed and finely diced. Another refreshing element.
• Mayo- your favorite brand, the rich and creamy base for the salad dressing.
• Greek yogurt- plain, pairs well with the mayo.
• Lemon juice- wonderful acid that cuts the richness of the salad dressing.
• Dijon mustard- a pungent, spicy flavored mustard.
• Salt and pepper- to taste.

How to make Chicken salad croissant

Step 1: Combine the dressing ingredients. In a small mixing bowl, combine the mayo, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, mustard and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Step 2: Stir the ingredients together. Once all of your salad dressing ingredients are in the bowl, stir them together until they're well combined. You want the dressing to be smooth. At this point, you can taste the dressing and see if it needs any extra salt.

Step 3: Make the chicken salad. In a larger mixing bowl, add the chicken, celery, cranberries, bacon, red onion and nuts.

Step 4: Add the dressing. Once your chicken salad ingredients are together, pour in the dressing. Stir the dressing and the chicken salad together until all the filling is coated in the dressing.

Step 5: Assemble the sandwiches. Slice open croissants and add chicken salad. Close up the croissant and serve along with a side of fresh fruit. Enjoy!

My tips for making the best chicken salad croissant

• Use leftover roast chicken or a rotisserie chicken from the store for the best flavor! Roasted or rotisserie chicken has so much more flavor than a plain chicken breast.
• Use full fat mayo in the salad dressing. There's a time to be conscious of calories and a time to go all out. With the combination of the greek yogurt, I like to use the full fat mayo.
• Dice and chop your ingredients small enough that you can eat many at once in one bite. It's not as satisfying to bite into a large chunk of celery or onion.
• If you have time, you can make the filling for the sandwiches and keep it in the fridge until you're ready to serve. The flavors will mix and mingle and be even better after an hour or two in the fridge.

How to store any leftover chicken salad croissants

In the fridge: You can store any leftover chicken salad filling in the fridge for up to 4 days. Don't assemble the sandwiches until you're ready to eat them because the bread will become soggy.

In the freezer: You can freeze left over chicken salad in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to four months! This is a great option if you like to have easy meals on hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use croissants?

Of course not! Croissants do add a wonderful, buttery flavor to these sandwiches, but there are plenty of other options you can use. Wraps, bagels, and even plain white or wheat bread are perfectly fine.

Can I make the chicken salad in advance?

Yes! As I mentioned before, this chicken salad recipe is even better if you let it sit in the fridge for a couple of hours before serving.

Can I add toppings to these sandwiches?

Yes, you can! I will usually top mine with a leaf of lettuce or a juicy slice of tomato. These toppings add a freshness to the sandwich.

More Chicken Recipes

• Fried chicken breast
• Mexican chicken salad
• Crockpot chicken casserole
• Chicken divan
• Chicken pesto pasta