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Homemade The Ultimate Southern Chicken Salad Recipe photo

The Ultimate Southern Chicken Salad Recipe

A creamy, crunchy Southern-style chicken salad with apples, toasted almonds, and fresh dill.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 23 minutes
Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole rotisserie chicken about 5 cups chopped, skin and bones removed
  • 1 1/4 cups mayonnaise
  • 1 cup celery chopped
  • 1 cup apple diced, firm variety
  • 1/2 cup sweet pickle relish
  • 1/2 cup toasted almonds
  • 1/2 cup scallions chopped
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped
  • salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Small skillet
  • Cutting Board
  • Chef’s knife
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Spoon or spatula for mixing
  • plastic wrap or airtight container

Method
 

  1. Place the almonds in a small dry skillet over medium heat and toast, stirring frequently, for 3–5 minutes until golden; remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  2. Remove the skin from the rotisserie chicken and discard the skin and bones; place the cooked meat on a cutting board and roughly chop into bite-sized pieces (about 5 cups).
  3. Chop the celery, dice the apple, and thinly slice the scallions; finely chop the fresh dill.
  4. In a large mixing bowl combine the chopped chicken, mayonnaise, celery, diced apple, sweet pickle relish, toasted almonds, scallions, Dijon mustard, and chopped dill.
  5. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated; taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
  6. Cover and chill until ready to serve; the flavors improve after resting, so refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight if possible.

Notes

  • Start with 1 1/4 cups mayonnaise and add more if you prefer a creamier texture.