Fancy Chicken Salad – An Old Fashioned Chicken Salad Recipe
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This Fancy Chicken Salad is extra special with a touch of crunch from pecans, sweet pickles and celery and a hint of sweetness from canned cherries. The ingredients are surprising, and the flavor is delicious.
Fancy Chicken Salad Recipe
This old fashioned chicken salad recipe is full of surprises. The ingredients are unique, yet they come together to create a crunchy, sweet, fancy chicken salad.
- Diced chicken
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Sweet pickles
- Celery
- Canned baby peas
- Canned Sweet Cherries
- Chopped Pecans
- Mayonnaise
- Lemon Juice
- Salt and Black Pepper
I love the crunchy factor that comes from the combination of the gherkins, celery and chopped pecans. And the sweet cherries give just enough sweetness. But, I would have to say that the peas are the most surprising ingredient.
If you aren’t into peas, then omit them. No harm done.
What to add to chicken salad?
Chicken salad is so versatile that you can add pretty much anything but the kitchen sink, and this recipe proves it! If there’s an ingredient that isn’t your favorite, substitute in something else. Some ingredient suggestions are dill pickles, pistachios, shredded Parmesan cheese, French fried onions, pineapple, Greek yogurt and Dijon mustard.
How do you fix bland chicken salad?
To fix bland chicken salad, you can add extra flavors with ingredients such as fresh herbs like dill, a splash of lemon juice for acidity, a touch of Dijon mustard for a kick, or a pinch of salt and pepper to enhance the overall taste.
The original recipe from my Louisiana Junior League Cook Book says to start with a 4 pound chicken, and cook it yourself. Well, let’s just say that’s more time than I have on most days. (If you’re really short on time, try this 3-Ingredient Chicken Salad using canned chicken.)
So, I took a shortcut and used a rotisserie chicken in which I removed the skin and bones, and diced into bite-sized pieces. I’m pretty sure both my Grandmas would have loved the convenience of a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store.
If you’re serving a large crowd, go ahead and double the recipe. This allows you to use the entire cans of the peas and cherries, or if you’re like me, go ahead and add the whole cans of both to this recipe. It won’t hurt a thing, and that way you don’t have extra ingredients sitting in the fridge to be used up.
How to Make Crunchy Chicken Salad
Step by Step Ingredients
- In a large bowl, combine chicken, eggs, pickles, celery, peas, cherries and mayonnaise; toss gently.
- Right before serving, stir in pecans, lemon juice, salt and pepper (to taste).
Storage Instructions
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For the full instructions for chicken salad with pecans, scroll to the bottom of this post.
Recipe FAQs
- I used a rotisserie chicken for this chicken salad with cherries and pecan recipe. You could also use a few cans of canned chicken breast, or poach your own chicken.
- This recipe easily doubles to serve a crowd. This also allows you to use the entire cans of cherries and peas.
- Substitute dried cherries for canned, if desired.
- This pecan cherry chicken salad calls for Royal Ann Canned cherries, but the regular canned cherries are perfectly delicious too.
- I prefer LeSeuer very small peas for this recipe. They are dainty and cute and very fancy.
- Use frozen peas instead of canned, or omit if peas aren’t your thing.
- For an extra fancy meal, serve on a croissant bun or mini Hawaiian bun.
Recipe Variations
- Use walnuts, almonds or cashews instead of pecans.
- Swap dried cranberries or grapes for cherries.
- Use sour cream or plain Greek yogurt for mayonnaise.
- Garnish with the fresh herbs of your choice such as fresh dill.
What goes with chicken salad?
I love serving soup or a side salad along side of chicken salad. Try Old Fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup, Cheesy Zucchini Soup, Potato Soup, Classic Spinach Salad, French Dinner Salad, Carrot Raisin Salad, Potato Salad or Cucumbers and Onions.
More Old Fashioned Salad Recipes
Low Carb, 5-Minute Chicken Salad
Fancy Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups diced cooked chicken Use 2.5 to 3 cups
- 4 hard boiled eggs, diced
- 4 sweet pickles, chopped
- 3 celery ribs, small diced
- 4 ounces canned baby peas (LeSueur brand)
- 8 ounces canned cherries, drained
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- juice of 1/2 a lemon
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Gently mix chicken, hard-boiled eggs, pickles, celery, peas, cherries and mayonnaise.
- Right before serving, stir in chopped pecans, lemon juice, and salt and pepper (to taste).
- Serve on a sandwich, on a bed of lettuce or with crackers.
Notes
- I used a rotisserie chicken for this chicken salad with cherries and pecan recipe. You could also use a few cans of canned chicken, or poach your own chicken.
- This recipe easily doubles to serve a crowd. This also allows you to use the entire cans of cherries and peas.
- Substitute dried cherries for canned, if desired.
- This pecan cherry chicken salad calls for Royal Ann Canned cherries, but the regular canned cherries are perfectly delicious too.
- I prefer LeSeuer very small peas for this recipe. They are dainty and cute—very fancy.
- Use frozen peas for canned, or omit if peas aren’t your thing.
- For an extra fancy meal, serve on a croissant bun or mini Hawaiian bun.
- Looking for a quick and easy chicken salad? Try our 3-Ingredient Version.
- The nutritional information below is auto-calculated and can vary depending on the products used.
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