Gluten Free Chicken Salad Recipe: Simple and Easy

Share

Gluten Free Chicken Salad Recipe: Simple and Easy for quick lunches or to take to events.

This gluten free chicken salad is a classic version that is a great way to use leftover chicken or meal prep for the week. The simple ingredients are tender chunks of chicken mixed in to a deliciously herby dressing, crunchy celery and pucker from pickle juice (yes, pickle juice!). Serve it with a side of fresh fruit and those bright flavors with this chicken salad is the perfect combination of flavors for summer lunch or light dinner.

Because I deal with Alpha Gal Syndrome, (AGS) I can not eat any mammal products. So I often make a big batch of this simple, classic chicken salad every couple of weeks to have easy protein based meals on the ready.

How to Make this Food Allergy Friendly

This gluten free chicken salad recipe also is dairy free. It can also be made egg free if you substitute the mayonnaise for vegan mayonnaise for those with multiple food allergies.

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate,  I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our family in this way.

What Ingredients are Needed for Making Gluten-Free Creamy Chicken Salad?

In this recipe we will be using cooked chicken, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, crisp celery, red onion, some herbs (fresh dill is the best!) / seasonings, black pepper and pickle juice. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it!

Most chicken salad recipes call for some kind of vinegar and pickle juice/ brine is mostly vinegar, salt and dill. So it gives an extra punch of flavor. If you don’t have any pickle juice handy, you can replace it with regular white vinegar or lemon juice. Just an FYI, malt vinegar has gluten, so don’t use that as a substitute.

A lot of classic chicken salad recipes call for juicy grapes, or dried cranberries and some sort of nuts, but this recipe doesn’t have those. I don’t often have red grapes or green grapes in the house and some friends have extreme nut allergies, so this is my basic gluten free chicken salad recipe.

Equipment Needed to Make GF Chicken Salad

One of the best things about this recipe is that it doesn’t call for any fancy gadgets or equipment.

Large Mixing Bowl: to combine all the ingredients.

Cutting Board and Sharp Kitchen Knife: for dicing the chicken, onions, celery and green onions. This Japanese Chef Knife is what I usually reach for.

Wooden Spoon: To mix up the dressing and then combine all the ingredients. (You can use a wire whisk as well for the dressing if you desire.)

How to Make this Gluten-Free Chicken Salad Recipe

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, pickle juice, fresh herbs (or dry herbs) and divided seasonings.
2. On a cutting board, dice the celery, red onion and green onions to small pieces.
3. Add the diced vegetables into the large mixing bowl with the dressing.
4. Now dice or shred the cooked chicken on the cutting board.
5. If you are using rotisserie chicken or chicken that isn’t already seasoned, season it now.
   • Spread out the chicken on the cutting board and sprinkle over the top 3/4 tsp of salt, 1 tsp. garlic powder and 1 tsp. onion powder, as well as some fresh cracked pepper.
6. Add the diced chicken into the large mixing bowl, stir to combine.
7. Serve and enjoy!

What Kind of Chicken Should I Use for Making Chicken Salad?

The beauty of chicken salad is that you can use leftover chicken, pulled rotisserie chicken or cook chicken specifically for use in this recipe. Poaching chicken breasts or chicken thighs, roasting or cooking shredded chicken in an Instant Pot are all great options for making tasty chicken for the base of this dish. When I’m short on time, I like to grab a store-bought rotisserie chicken. Just double check the ingredient list to make sure no gluten is included.

When making chicken for this gluten-free chicken salad, I like to cook the chicken or pull it warm off of the rotisserie chicken and set it aside to cool to room temperature. I then mix the dressing and dice the vegetables and add the room temperature chicken into the mix. Once everything is combined, place it into the fridge for at least one hour. I think this gives better results for the best flavor to combine with room temperature chicken rather than cold chicken. But if you use leftover chicken, it will be cold and that’s ok too.

How to Serve GF Chicken Salad

One of the things I love about this recipe is that it is so versatile and a great option for being served many different ways. Some of our favorite ways to eat it are:

1. Chicken salad sandwiches: I like to toast some gluten free bread so it doesn’t get soggy.
   • You can check out my Gluten Free Sourdough Bread Recipe here for fresh made bread.
   • Schar is our favorite gluten-free bread but we also like or Canyon Bakehouse.
2. Snack Pack style: I like it with gluten free crackers or potato chips quick lunch on the go.
   • Our favorite gluten free crackers are Schar table crackers, Glutino Rounds and Glutino Table Crackers.
3. For a low carb/ Keto version, serve as lettuce wraps or lettuce cups using romaine lettuce or butter lettuce. 
4. Wraps: Use a gluten free wrap like Siete Cassava Flour Tortillas or Mission Gluten Free Soft Taco Tortillas brand to make yummy wraps.
   • Add some sprouts and tomatoes! (p.s. I really love this sprouting kit to have fresh sprouts ready in the kitchen.)

How to Make GF Chicken Salad Egg Free

You can easily make this gluten free chicken salad egg free by substituting the regular mayo for vegan mayonnaise.

Can I use Canned Chicken to Make Chicken Salad?

Yes you can use canned chicken meat to make gluten free chicken salad. I suggest first draining the chicken and then sautéing it for a few minutes over medium heat with a bit of oil. This helps to remove excess water that will dilute the dressing.

How to Store This Delicious Chicken Salad Recipe

GF Chicken salad should be stored in an airtight container and placed in the refrigerator.

It is usually best to use within 3-4 days, as long as your chicken was freshly made. If using leftover chicken that was a few days old, use within a day or two. Freezing chicken salad is not recommended as the textures of the mayo and vegetables will be compromised.

Is Chicken Salad Gluten Free?

Chicken salad traditionally does not call for gluten based ingredients, and you won’t find any in this recipe. But institutionally prepared chicken salad (like Costco or Walmart), or chicken salad from restaurants are at risk for cross contamination issues that would make it unsafe for those with Celiac Disease.

When looking at ingredients to verify if chicken salad is gluten-free, make sure to take into account how it is also served. Many restaurants, like Chicken Salad Chick, serve chicken salad on crackers, croissants or bread. And each place will also cook their chicken differently, and sometimes the broth can have gluten ingredients as well. Don’t be afraid to ask questions as your safety is important.

Does Chicken Salad Contain Dairy?

Some chicken salad recipes do contain dairy. It is pretty common to add some sour cream, buttermilk, or Greek yogurt to the dressing in chicken salad. But this gluten free chicken salad recipe is allergen friendly and is dairy free.

Come Back for More!

If you enjoy this recipe, I’d love it if you came back and gave it a 5 star rating and leave a review. Tell me how you served it and for what event! You may also like Gluten Free Fried Fish Taco recipe which is best served with my super popular Cilantro Cream Sauce. Or if you need more quick ideas, this list of Gluten Free and Dairy Free snack Options can help your summer or back to school season go more smoothly.

Share