Deli-Style Chicken Salad

Deli-Style Chicken Salad: Creamy, Crunchy, and Comfortingly Classic

There’s something timeless about a scoop of perfectly made deli-style chicken salad. It’s creamy but not heavy, flavorful but not overpowering, and packed with just the right balance of tender chicken and crisp mix-ins. Whether tucked into a buttery croissant, layered between slices of toasted bread, or served over fresh greens, this classic favorite never goes out of style.

In this detailed guide, you’ll learn exactly how to make authentic deli-style chicken salad from scratch—step by step—so it tastes just like (or better than) the one from your favorite delicatessen.

What Makes It “Deli-Style”?

Deli-style chicken salad is known for:

• Finely chopped or shredded tender chicken
• A creamy mayonnaise-based dressing
• Fresh, crunchy additions like celery and onion
• Subtle seasoning that enhances, not hides, the chicken
• A smooth, scoopable texture

The key is balance—no ingredient should overpower the others.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken:

• 3 cups cooked chicken (about 2–3 large chicken breasts)
• Water or broth (for poaching, if cooking fresh)

For the Dressing:

• ¾ to 1 cup mayonnaise (adjust to preferred creaminess)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional but recommended)
• 1–2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• A small pinch of garlic powder (optional)

For the Crunch & Flavor:

• ½ cup finely diced celery
• 2–3 tablespoons finely minced red onion or sweet onion
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Optional add-ins:

• ¼ cup chopped toasted almonds or pecans
• ¼ cup halved grapes (for a sweet twist)
• A dash of paprika for color

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Cook the Chicken Properly

If starting with raw chicken:

1. Place chicken breasts in a pot.
2. Cover with water or chicken broth.
3. Bring to a gentle simmer (not a rolling boil).
4. Cover and cook for 12–15 minutes, or until fully cooked.
5. Remove and let cool completely.

💡 Tip: Poaching keeps the chicken moist and tender—perfect for deli-style texture.

If using rotisserie chicken, remove the skin and shred the meat finely.

Step 2: Chop or Shred the Chicken

For true deli-style texture:

• Finely chop the chicken into small, even pieces
  OR
• Pulse briefly in a food processor (do not over-process)

You want small pieces that hold together when scooped—not large chunks.

Place chopped chicken into a large mixing bowl.

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