Jason’s Deli makes a very creative chicken salad. It is simple but appetizing, and you can recreate this copycat recipe at home.
Do you like chicken salad, but think it can be complicated to make? If you are like me, I wonder what should I put in there, pickles, onions, olives, other crunchy edibles. I recently tried Jason’s Deli Chicken salad and was blown away with the sweet simplicity of this recipe. It contains mayonnaise, slivered almonds, chicken, salt, pepper, and crushed pineapple. Do you wonder how this tastes? Let me tell you, it is amazing. It is slightly sweet, and the almonds give it the perfect crunch to this recipe.
For years, I have seen it served there, and honestly I like their soups, and their Reuben that I never got around to this delicacy. At my local Jason’s Deli, you can get it served on a bed of lettuce and with some fresh fruit. Of course, you can get this salad in a sandwich, they are a deli. What I really liked about this recipe is that you can make the chicken salad ahead of time and enjoy it a few days later. This is the perfect salad to bring to work. I love being able to save money when I brown bag it to work.
You can serve this chicken salad alone, with crackers, on a sandwich, or you could get fancy and stuff it inside of cream puff shells for a party. I bet you will enjoy this delicious simply made chicken salad.
Do you love Jason’s Deli? Check out the Jason’s Deli Chicken Pot Pie.

Jason's Deli Chicken Salad
Enjoy Jason's Deli Chicken Salad when you make it at home.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds cooked chicken breast
- 1/2 cup crushed pineapple drained
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup almond slivers you can add more if you like
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Shred chicken into fine pieces. In a medium sized bowl combine chicken, crushed pineapple, mayonnaise, almond slivers, salt, and pepper. Stir until mixture is uniform. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. This stays fresh for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator.If you do not want to drain your pineapple you don't need to, but you will need to reduce the amount of mayonnaise by at least a tablespoon.
Dana L Goodner says
I recently had Jason’s Chicken Salad, and it was made with red grapes instead of pineapple.
Stephanie says
I will have to go in and check it out thanks.
Stephanie says
I did go back and check, they still made it with pineapple, no grapes at my location.
Vicky Mullins says
I’m going to try this recipe, but I would love to have a copycat recipe for Great Harvest Bread Company Chicken Salad.
Stephanie says
hope you enjoy this recipe, I will take a look at the Great Harvest Bread Company Chicken Salad!
Felicia H. says
This is oddly satisfying! It is sooo delicious! I would have never though to incorporate pineapple in my chicken salad. Thank you!! Wow!! Soooooo good!! ????
Kim Davis says
This IS the recipe! I received the exact same recipe from a friend who used to be a GM at Jason’s. I use Miracle Whip, and sometimes toss in a handful of dried cranberries.
Stephanie says
Oh wow, how about that. Glad you liked the recipe.
Citation Jet says
This didnโt taste anything like Jason Deliโs chicken salad.
Linda says
I finally got to try the chicken salad at Jason’s Deli last week. I ordered it in a wrap with avocado slices and I have to say that it was nothing short of amazing. I bought the rotisserie chicken salad back in October of ’16 (I posted above about it) but things came up and I never did get around to making your copycat version. My how time gets away from us so fast. It’s now March of ’18 and I came back here to find the recipe again, now that I have tried the real thing. I ordered the full wrap, but could only eat half of it. My husband, who met me for lunch at Jason’s, said he’d take my uneaten half with him and put it in the fridge at work and bring it home to me that evening. I was on my way to run errands and the wrap would have sat in my car for a few hours, so hubs took it with him. Well, he forgot to bring it home (darned forgetful men!) and it’s still sitting in the fridge at his office. So much for that.
So I bought the stuff to make your recipe and I’m eating it now and wow, this is really good. Simple, easy and so delicious. I used the breasts of a rotisserie chicken, roasted skin and all, and shredded it all up in my food processor. Then added the S&P, the mayo, the crushed pineapple and the sliced almonds and it came out really good. Will have another chicken salad wrap and some soup for dinner.
Thanks again for posting this.
Linda says
Oops, wish we could edit comments. I meant to say in the beginning of my post that I bought the rotisserie chicken to MAKE the chicken salad. I didn’t buy rotisserie chicken salad, lol.
Stephanie says
I am glad you liked it
Nikki Lawrence says
What mayo should you use? Ive heard people say you can use Helmans or dukes… but i think helmans has a better flavor. What is your suggestion?
Stephanie says
I have used both. I like both of them. I typically buy Hellmann’s because it is sold at Costco ๐
Lv says
It also contains cottage cheese.
Laurel Struble says
I love it. It is just like Jason,s Deli. Thank you. I will definitely look to you for my copycats. When and where does your show come on.
GadgetGirl66 says
I use white pepper in mine and I toasted the almonds, as well. Otherwise, this recipe is spot on!
E says
Jason’s Deli Chicken Salad does not contain celery or onion.
E says
This is why I love their chicken salad. Everyone will love this recipe if they love theirs. ๐
Stephanie says
I hear you ๐ Their recipe is pretty much chicken, with a few other items thrown in. A lot of recipes for chicken salad bulk up the recipe with a lot of filler.
Deana R Fleming says
I love their deli chicken salad, can’t wait to get back home to try this!
Linda says
What a great idea with the pineapple. Like others have mentioned, I usually make my chicken salad with grapes (I use sliced red seedless) but I love pineapple as well and must try this soon. Almonds are also wonderful in chicken salad. Adds a nice healthy crunch. I use light mayo (only Hellman’s) to save on fat and cals and the fruit gives it a nice contrast with the sweetness, so can’t wait to try the pineapple version. Chicken salad is a scary thing for me because of the high fat content with all the mayonnaise most restaurants use, so I never order it out. I only make it at home and now I have something new to try.
I love your show (in fact I’ve got in on right now) and watch it on my Roku all the time. Of all the cooking shows I’ve added to my list, yours is my favorite and I’ve gotten so many great ideas from you. Thanks! ๐
Stephanie says
Thank you for watching the videos. I hope you enjoy them. I hope you enjoy the chicken salad. I think this one can be lightly dressed as compared to other salad dressings.
Linda says
Will be trying it soon, as today I bought a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. So many things you can do with those and this recipe is the next on my list, as well as some homemade chicken noodle soup!
Sandi says
Where can we find your videos?
Lisa says
What brand/type of mayonnaise is used
Stephanie says
I usually use Hellman’s I think they also go by Best Foods depending upon your area of the country.
Louise says
Can you use canned chicken?
Do you have any recipes using canned chicken?
Stephanie says
You could, I would rinse off the salt before serving it. I don’t have a lot of recipes for canned chicken.
William G Berninghausen says
I might think about subbing greek yogurt for at least part of the mayo. That would save some calories so the chicken could be half thigh and half breast–lots more flavor that way. The pineapple is genius.
Stephanie Manley says
I think that would be a good idea. Both of your suggestions are brilliant.
William G Berninghausen says
Just as a further calorie-saver, poach frozen chicken in a seasoned liquid (I use miso) and drain/rinse away the fat. Stovetop will work, but it’s faster in a pressure cooker.
Stephanie Manley says
This isn’t as fast, but I have been cooking my chicken in a sous vide lately, it takes a couple of hours, but it works very well.
Judy Konos says
Try toasting the almonds prior to using them….such a delicious flavor….
SavvyMomNYC - Ker says
I love chicken salad and this recipe sounds delish! Adding pineapple would be new for me but I bet would add great flavor.
Stephanie Manley says
The pineapple really adds something nice to the recipe.
Mary Gresham says
We love chicken salad and love Jason’s. I’m making this today and stuffing it in garden fresh tomatoes. Thanks.
Stephanie Manley says
I am serious envy over your garden fresh tomatoes.
Kathy Penney says
I just found my weekend lunch! Love their chicken salad!
Stephanie Manley says
I hope you enjoy the recipe.
MeLynda Garcia says
Hi Stephanie, as a Jason’s Deli employee for over 8 years I’ve pretty much made all of the in house recipes. The only difference in their version is white pepper instead of black pepper and lemon juice for freshness. Other than that I’d say you hit it spot on..
Rachee says
I have had chicken salad with grapes but love the idea of the crushed pineapple. It sounds delicious.
Stephanie Manley says
What a great suggestion. I hope you give this recipe a try soon.
Kim Garton says
I have also used seedless red grapes, but will try the pineapple too,
Censie 'Mumby' Sawyer says
Yum! My BFF LOVES Jason’s Deli. I will need to make this for her. ๐ Looks so fresh and yummy!
Stephanie Manley says
I hope y’all love this salad.
JoanneGreco says
My daughter loves chicken salad on a plate or in a sandwich. I’m going to pin this on Pinterest for her. Thanks!
Stephanie Manley says
Terrific, I love this salad served on a plate better too.
sacha says
Oh this salad looks delicious. I would love eat one if those sald. Now I definitely will try to make one. Thanks for sharing.
Stephanie Manley says
I hope you enjoy this recipe.
Star Traci says
Excellent! This looks super yummy. I haven’t been to a Jason’s in ages and now I want to make this & remember. Thanks for the share. I think I can actually make this.
๐
Traci
Stephanie Manley says
Thank you. I hope you give the recipe a try.
Whitney @ Momma Knows Best says
The good thing about chicken salad is that you can pretty much add whatever you want to it! I like the idea of including almonds and pineapple – that sounds delicious!
Stephanie Manley says
I think that is one of the great things about cooking is that you can always make it the way you prefer.