Rotisserie Chicken Salad Sandwich

Elevate your lunch with our Rotisserie Chicken Salad Sandwich that’s as easy to make as it is delicious. Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken streamlines the process without sacrificing flavor. This recipe combines tender chicken with crisp celery, sliced almonds for added crunch, and a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise and Dijon mustard. Seasoned with a hint of Old Bay, it’s a blend of flavors that’s perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.

Biting into soft bread slathered with a fresh salad always feels cozy and comforting. This easy lunch recipe can transition to dinner by adding a warm bowl of soup or chili. We love soups that come together fast, like this 25-minute butternut squash soup or my 25-minute chicken soup, perfect for cold and flu season. On busy days, you only need 20 minutes to make my tasty white bean chili, a hearty meal for school nights or a cozy Sunday evening dinner.

Here’s what you’ll love about this Rotisserie Chicken Salad Sandwich recipe:

• Wholesome and Simple: Just a handful of ingredients come together in minutes for a satisfying lunch. No chopping mountains of veggies or waiting forever to cook chicken!
• Crazy Customizable: You can customize chicken salad in plenty of ways so the whole family can enjoy it.
• Perfect for Make-Ahead Meals: Whip up a big batch on Sunday and enjoy delicious lunches for days. This chicken salad keeps well in the fridge.

What can I serve with chicken salad sandwiches?

This Rotisserie Chicken Salad Sandwich recipe is very versatile. Full of protein-packed chicken, it’s fine to serve on its own. But if you’re looking to round out your lunch or make a more filling dinner, here are some ideas:

• Simple Sandwich and Salad: Pair your sandwich with a tasty green salad for a light and refreshing meal. My spring salad recipe is ideal for a hearty lunch. For a more filling dinner, this kale and white bean salad adds even more protein and will definitely keep bellies full!
• Hearty and Filling: For a more substantial lunch, serve your sandwich with a bowl of soup. Even more tasty soup options include chicken poblano soup (the famous Magnolia recipe), and Thai coconut soup.
• Appetizers: For a light lunch or dinner, serve appetizers as family-style side dishes. This roasted tomato dip is so flavorful and colorful. A hot artichoke dip is always a crowd-pleaser.
• Fruit: A side of fresh fruit or a cup of yogurt is ideal for a school or workday lunch and adds a bit of sweetness in a wholesome way.

Rotisserie Chicken Salad Sandwich Ingredients

• Rotisserie chicken: Pre-cooked and ready to shred, rotisserie chicken is the ultimate time-saving ingredient. You can also try using leftover poached chicken or grilled chicken breasts.
• Celery: Adds crunch and freshness. Chopped green bell pepper or red onion make for tasty alternatives.
• Almonds: Sliced almonds add a nutty taste and texture. Chopped walnuts or pecans are great substitutes. You can omit the almonds if necessary.
• Mayonnaise: For a lighter option, use Greek yogurt, or a mixture of both, although mayo will give you that classic ‘chicken salad’ taste.
• Dijon mustard: I love the tang that Dijon mustard provides. Regular yellow mustard works in a pinch. Without the mustard, you might find your chicken salad tastes a bit bland.
• Old Bay seasoning: This iconic blend adds a lot of flavor to your salad. Paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder can be used to recreate a similar taste if needed. Seasoning salt can work in a pinch, but omit the salt in the recipe.
• Salt and pepper: Season to taste, for a flavor explosion in every bite!
• Bread: Choose your favorite variety, from fluffy white bread to hearty whole wheat. Croissants also make wonderful, buttery sandwich bread.

How to Make A Rotisserie Chicken Salad Sandwich

STEP ONE: Assemble the chicken salad. In a mixing bowl, add shredded rotisserie chicken along with the celery, almonds, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and Old Bay Seasoning.

STEP TWO: Make the sandwiches and store leftovers. Divide the chicken salad between the bread. Top with another slice of bread. Slice in half and enjoy!

Tips and Recipe Notes

• Don’t overmix: Once you’ve combined all the ingredients, just give it a gentle stir. Overmixing can make the chicken salad mushy.
• Taste and adjust: Seasoning is key! Start with a little salt and pepper, then add more to taste. If you find the chicken salad is a bit dry, add a touch more mayonnaise.
• For more flavor, chill your salad: If you want the flavor to be stronger, let the chicken salad chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before assembling your sandwiches. This allows the flavors to meld and creates a nice, cohesive texture.

What can I add to chicken salad?

One of my favorite things about chicken salad is how versatile it is. You can easily swap out ingredients or incorporate additional mix-ins.

Here are some ideas for you:

• Chopped grapes (red or green depending on your tastes)
• Chopped cucumber
• Yellow or red bell pepper
• Walnuts
• Pecans
• Sunflower seeds
• Hemp hearts
• Freshly chopped dill or parsley
• Curry powder
• Chopped, cooked bacon
• Hard-boiled egg
• Shredded cheese
• Chunks of avocado

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! This chicken salad is perfect for meal prepping, and the flavors only get better with time. Here’s how to make it ahead:

1. Prepare the chicken salad according to the recipe.
2. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
3. When ready to eat, assemble your sandwiches on fresh bread.

I don’t suggest you assemble your sandwiches more than a few hours before you plan to eat them, as the bread will soak up too much moisture and become soggy.

Can this recipe be made gluten-free? Dairy-free?

Gluten-free: Absolutely! Just use your favorite gluten-free bread to assemble your sandwiches. Verify your other ingredients (such as mustard) don’t contain any hidden sources of gluten.

Dairy-free: This recipe should already be dairy-free, but I suggest you read your labels carefully if you have an allergy to dairy products.

FAQs

How to Store Leftovers

Leftover chicken salad should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to three to four days. Do not leave chicken salad at room temperature for extended periods of time, as the mayo will quickly spoil.

Can I freeze leftovers?

I don’t recommend freezing chicken salad. The mayo will likely separate when it thaws, and the texture won’t be very appealing. I suggest you eat your salad while it’s fresh.

However, you can freeze your rotisserie chicken after you shred it, for up to two months in a freezer-safe Ziploc bag.

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