Go Back
Homemade Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Salad Sandwich: The Discontinued Classic You Can Make at Home photo

Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Salad Sandwich: The Discontinued Classic You Can Make at Home

A creamy, tangy chicken salad inspired by the discontinued Chick-fil-A classic that you can easily make at home.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 16 ounces boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 1/2 cup dill pickle juice
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon celery salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for brushing the grill
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 1/3 cup sweet pickle relish
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs
  • salt to taste
  • ground black pepper to taste
  • honey wheat bread with oat topping
  • green leaf lettuce
  • tomato slices

Equipment

  • large resealable bag or bowl
  • Small Bowl
  • Grill or grill pan
  • Tongs or spatula
  • Meat Thermometer
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Food Processor
  • Toaster

Method
 

  1. Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable bag or bowl with the dill pickle juice and buttermilk; seal and refrigerate to marinate at least 30 minutes or up to several hours.
  2. In a small bowl, mix 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and celery salt to make the seasoning blend.
  3. Preheat a grill or grill pan to 350°F and brush the grates with olive oil.
  4. Remove the chicken from the marinade and season both sides with the spice blend.
  5. Grill the chicken 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F.
  6. Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board, let it cool, then chop into roughly 1-inch pieces.
  7. In a food processor, combine the chopped chicken, chopped celery, sweet pickle relish, mayonnaise, and hard-boiled eggs; pulse a few times until the mixture reaches a very fine, spreadable texture.
  8. Taste the chicken salad and adjust seasoning with salt and ground black pepper as desired.
  9. Lightly toast two slices of honey wheat bread with oat topping. Layer lettuce, tomato slices, and a generous portion of chicken salad on one slice, then top with the other slice to assemble the sandwich.

Notes

  • Marinating longer enhances flavor and tenderness.
  • Use a thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F.
  • Pulse the food processor—don’t overblend to avoid a paste.
  • Adjust mayo and relish for desired creaminess and sweetness.