The First Bite That Hooked Me
The crunch of celery, the creamy mayo, the hint of Old Bay—it all hit me at once. I was at a church potluck when I first tasted this chicken salad. The flavors danced on my tongue, and I knew I needed the recipe. Ever wondered how you could turn simple chicken into something unforgettable? That day, I begged the cook for tips. Now, I’m sharing my version with you.My Messy First Try
My first attempt was… interesting. I forgot to chill the chicken before dicing it, so it fell apart. The salad turned mushy, but the taste was still magic. Home cooking teaches patience—and that even “flops” can be delicious. Now, I always let the chicken cool. What kitchen mishaps have you learned from? Share your stories below!Why This Salad Shines
– The Old Bay adds a smoky kick, while the sweet relish balances it. – Chunky eggs and celery give it a satisfying bite. Which flavor combo surprises you most? Is it the dill weed or the celery salt? Try it and decide!A Taste of History
This dish roots back to Southern picnics and church suppers. It’s a twist on classic chicken salad, with a coastal twist from Old Bay. *Did you know Duke’s mayo was invented in 1917?* It’s a Southern staple for good reason. What’s your favorite regional dish? Tell me in the comments!
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken breast | 1½ pounds | |
| Olive oil | 1-2 teaspoons | for brushing chicken |
| Old Bay seafood seasoning | 1 tablespoon | |
| Garlic powder | ½ teaspoon | |
| Onion powder | ½ teaspoon | |
| Celery salt | ¼ teaspoon | |
| Celery | ½ cup | finely diced |
| Onions | ½ cup | finely diced |
| Hard-boiled eggs | 5 | chopped |
| Sweet relish | 2 tablespoons | |
| Dill weed | ¼ teaspoon | |
| Duke’s mayonnaise | ¾ cup | may need more or less |
| Dried parsley | 1 tablespoon | |
| Fresh cracked black pepper | a sprinkling | |
| Salt, pepper, extra seasonings | if desired |
How to Make Southern-Style Creamy Chunky Chicken Salad
Step 1 Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a pan with foil for easy cleanup. Brush chicken lightly with olive oil. This keeps it juicy.
Step 2 Mix Old Bay, garlic powder, onion powder, and celery salt. Rub it all over the chicken. Bake for 20–25 minutes. Let it cool before dicing.
Step 3 Dice celery, onions, and hard-boiled eggs. Add them to a big bowl with chicken. Stir in relish and dill weed for tangy flavor.
Step 4 Fold in mayo little by little. Stop when it’s creamy enough for you. Sprinkle parsley and black pepper. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
Step 5 Chill for an hour before serving. Stir well so flavors blend. *Hard-learned tip: Letting it sit overnight makes it even tastier.* What’s your go-to add-in for chicken salad? Share below! Cook Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 45 minutes Yield: 6 servings Category: Lunch, Picnic
3 Fun Twists on Classic Chicken Salad
Spicy Kick Add diced jalapeños and a dash of hot sauce. Swap sweet relish for spicy pickle chips.
Summer Fresh Toss in diced apples and grapes. Use Greek yogurt instead of mayo for lightness.
Smoky BBQ Stir in smoked paprika and crumbled bacon. Serve with toasted sourdough for crunch. Which twist would you try first? Vote in the comments!
Serving Ideas for Your Chicken Salad
Pile it on buttered croissants or stuff into ripe tomatoes. Serve with saltines or crispy lettuce cups. Pair with sweet tea or a chilled Chardonnay. Which would you choose tonight? Let us know!
Keeping It Fresh
This chicken salad stays fresh in the fridge for 3–4 days. Keep it in a tight-lid container. Freezing? Skip the eggs—they get rubbery. Thaw overnight in the fridge if you freeze just the chicken. Reheat chilled chicken salad gently in the microwave for 30 seconds. *Fun fact: My neighbor Jane swears by adding extra relish after day two for a flavor boost.* Batch-cook tip: Double the chicken and seasoning, then mix fresh veggies and mayo later. Why this matters: Prepped chicken saves busy-weekend time. Who else loves meal shortcuts like this?Quick Fixes
Too dry? Add mayo a spoonful at a time until creamy. Bland? A pinch more Old Bay or celery salt wakes it up. Soggy veggies? Pat them dry before mixing. Why this matters: Small tweaks make big flavor wins. Once, I forgot the parsley—still tasty, but the color looked dull. Ever had a kitchen oops turn out okay? Share your save!Your Questions, Answered
Q: Gluten-free?
A: Yes! Just check your mayo and relish labels to be safe.
Q: Can I make it ahead?
A: Mix everything but mayo and eggs up to 2 days early.
Q: Mayo swaps?
A: Greek yogurt works, but add a squeeze of lemon for tang.
Q: Scaling for a crowd?
A: Double all but the relish—start with 1/3 cup, then adjust.
Q: No Duke’s mayo?
A: Any full-fat mayo does, but Duke’s has that Southern zip.
Let’s Chat!
This recipe’s a crowd-pleaser at my family picnics. Try it on toasted bread or stuffed in tomatoes.Tag @SpoonSway on Pinterest with your twists—I’d love to see!
Happy cooking! —Sarah Cooper.
Southern-Style Creamy Chunky Chicken Salad
Description
Enjoy the rich and creamy texture of this Southern-style chicken salad, packed with tender chicken, hard-boiled eggs, and a blend of savory seasonings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a pan with aluminum foil. Set aside.
- Brush the chicken very lightly with a little olive oil.
- To season the chicken, mix together Old Bay Seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and celery salt.
- Sprinkle chicken generously with seasoning on top and bottom.
- Place chicken on prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes. (You may need more or less time depending on the thickness of your chicken)
- Once the chicken is done, let it cool and then dice it up into small chunks and place in a large bowl.
- Add diced celery, diced onions, diced eggs, sweet relish, and dill weed to the large bowl. Stir to combine.
- Next, stir in the mayonnaise a little at a time until your desired creaminess is reached.
- Stir in parsley and black pepper.
- Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed.
- Cover and refrigerate until chilled. (about 1 hour)
- Stir before serving. Serve with crackers or on buttered croissants.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a dash of hot sauce or smoked paprika. Adjust mayonnaise quantity based on preferred consistency.
Chicken, Salad, Southern, Creamy, Lunch
