Chicken Salad Chick Classic Carol Chicken Salad

Have you tried the Chicken Salad Chick Classic Carol Chicken Salad? Some of us are lucky we are located near a Chicken Salad Chick restaurant, if one opens in your area, I recommend you go. Until then, here is my easy copycat Classic Carol Chicken Salad. This is the perfect light lunch!

Sandwiches made with copycat Chicken Salad Chick Classic Carol chicken salad.


This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Chicken Salads at Chicken Salad Chick Restaurant

The Chicken Salad Chick restaurant prepares scratch-made chicken salad every day. They have traditional, savory, fruity, nutty, and spicy chicken salad. They also have delicious pimento cheese salad and egg salad. 

Are you looking for an excellent recipe for chicken salad? This salad is freshly made and full of flavor. This copycat Chicken Salad Chick recipe will soon become your favorite. Did I mention it is an easy recipe to prepare?

What Makes The Classic Carol Chicken Salad so Good?

I think there are a few different elements that make this recipe unique.

  • It calls for only chicken tenders. Chicken tenders shred wonderfully when pulled apart after cooking. CSC does not use chicken breast. They use tenderloins, and the strands of meat are shorter than in the chicken breast, so this way, your delicious chicken salad has a better texture. 
  • Celery is chopped super fine, so you don’t get large pieces.
  • Also, dry Ranch salad dressing mix adds a unique flavor.
  • This homemade version has the perfect balance of flavors. 

Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this tasty chicken salad:

  • Chicken tenderloins
  • Low-sodium chicken stock
  • Mayonnaise
  • Celery
  • Dry Ranch salad dressing mix
  • Salt
  • Ground black pepper
Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Classic Carol chicken salad on a wood board.

I have chosen to cook chicken tenders in chicken stock for this recipe. I think this adds layers of flavor to the recipe. I think this adds layers of flavor to the recipe. Good quality chicken stock is made with carrots, celery, and onion. The chicken tenders pick up some of this flavor.

How to Make Chicken Salad Chick Classic Carol Chicken Salad

  1. Place the chicken tenders and chicken stock in a large pot.
  2. Heat the pot over medium heat, letting the chicken poach for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Ensure the chicken is fully cooked before proceeding.
  3. Once the chicken is cooked, shred it. You can use a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or manually shred the chicken tenders using two forks.
  4. Mix celery, mayonnaise, dry Ranch dressing, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Stir the chicken mixture until it is well blended.
  5. Add the shredded chicken into the bowl and stir until it’s fully incorporated with the other ingredients.
  6. Transfer the chicken salad to an airtight container.
  7. For optimal taste, prepare the chicken salad and chill it a few hours before it’s needed. This allows the flavors to meld together.

How to Serve Classic Carol Chicken Salad

If you dine at the Chicken Salad Chick, you can enjoy your chicken salad in two ways. One is a scoop of chicken salad on a bed of lettuce. I recommend using leaf lettuce for the best restaurant-inspired dish.

Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Classic Carol chicken salad served over lettuce.

The other way you can have chicken salad is on a sandwich. Their sandwiches come with leaf lettuce and ripe tomatoes.

You can also stuff the chicken salad inside of a tomato or avocado. It’s entirely up to you.

Sandwiches made with copycat Chicken Salad Chick Classic Carol chicken salad on a wood board.

What to Serve with Chicken Salad

Here are some ideas on what to serve with chicken salad:

  • A simple and quick option that adds a satisfying crunch. You could go for classic potato chips, kettle chips, or even veggie chips for a healthier twist.
  • Another quick option is serving it with crackers.
  • A hot bowl of soup can complement a chicken salad sandwich quite nicely. Tomato soup, vegetable soup, or chicken noodle soup are great choices.
  • A cold pasta salad with plenty of fresh veggies could be a refreshing side dish.
  • Dill pickles or sweet gherkins can provide a tangy contrast to the creamy chicken salad.
  • Slices of fresh fruit or a mixed fruit salad can be a refreshing and healthy side. Melons, berries, apples, or grapes would work well.
  • A side of coleslaw can be a great match, as its tangy flavor can balance out the creaminess of the chicken salad.
  • A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing can provide a light and refreshing contrast.
  • Grilled veggies such as zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant can add a smoky flavor that complements the chicken salad nicely.
  • Potato Salad is a classic side dish for any sandwich and can be made in many different ways, with the addition of ingredients like dill, mustard, or even bacon.
  • Bacon Baked Beans can add a sweet and smoky flavor, contrasting the creamy and savory chicken salad.

Possible recipe variations

If you want to make the Classic Carol, please follow the recipe as written. Remember that you could change this Chicken Salad Chick copycat recipe and make it your own with some of these additions. This way, you can customize this classic chicken salad and turn it into your favorite chicken salad. 

  • Add a tablespoon of finely minced jalapeno for some extra flavor
  • You could stir in a couple of hard-boiled chopped eggs if you desire
  • Add a tablespoon of chopped white onions to make their Dixie Chick Salad 
  • Add a couple of teaspoons of sweet pickle relish and a couple of hard-boiled eggs to make Olvia’s Old South 

How to Store Homemade Chicken Salad

Both freshly prepared chicken salad and the leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It will last up to 5 days.

What type of mayonnaise does Chicken Salad Chick use?

They use Duke’s mayonnaise. I personally have made this with Hellman’s and had good results.

Is this copycat Chicken Salad Chick Salad gluten-free?

It depends on the ingredients you use when preparing the salad. You will have to check the label on each one to be sure.

Some store-bought chicken stock contains gluten. Both Duke’s Mayonnaise and Hidden Valley Ranch Original Dressing Mix are gluten-free.

Overhead view of copycat Chicken Salad Chick Classic Carol chicken salad on top of lettuce leaves.

More Tasty Chicken Salads

Find the best copycat salad recipes and restaurant chicken recipes to make and enjoy.

Sandwiches made with copycat Chicken Salad Chick Classic Carol chicken salad.

Chicken Salad Chick Classic Carol Chicken Salad

Make your own Chicken Salad Chick Chicken Salad Sandwich with this easy copycat recipe.
4.99 from 133 votes
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chicken Salad, Chicken Salad Chick Chicken Salad
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 430kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders
  • 32 ounces low sodium chicken stock
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons finely minced celery
  • 2 teaspoons dry Ranch salad dressing mix
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Cook the chicken by poaching in chicken stock.  Fill a large pot with the chicken tenders and chicken stock.  Poach over medium heat for about 15 to 20 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked.  
  • Shred chicken, the chicken can be shredded with a stand mixer by using a paddle attachment.  Or you can shred the chicken tenders with two forks.
  • In a medium sized bowl add celery, mayonnaise, dry Ranch dressing mix, salt and black pepper.  Stir until well blended.  
  • Add shredded chicken and mix in well. Store chicken salad in an air tight container.
  • The chicken salad tastes better if prepared a couple of hours before it is consumed.
  • Serve in a sandwich or on a bed of lettuce.

Video

Notes

  • For variety you can add a tablespoon or two of green bell pepper.
  • This says fresh in an airtight container for 4 days after preparation.

Nutrition

Calories: 430kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 121mg | Sodium: 962mg | Potassium: 835mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 85IU | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1.2mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

REVEALED: Copycat Secrets for 2023

free email bonus

Yes, you CAN make it at home! I'll show you how.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bob Kirkpatrick

    5 stars
    Made it today and I’ve got to say it was exceptional! The tip on using stand mixer with paddle attachment made shredding the chicken easy! I did find that it needed the quantity of mayonnaise to be doubled and a half as was extremely dry. Other than that – superb and I will make again and again. Wife likes the Fancy Nancy so I added half of a Fuji apple diced, handful of grapes sliced in half and chopped pecans to this recipe. Daughter likes Jalapeño Holly so added diced jalapeños to the Classic Carol. All were excellent. Thanks!!!

  2. Nicole Barrera

    I’d like to try making the Barbie-Q or the Buffalo Barclay Chicken Salads. I moved to a new city that unfortunately does not have a Chicken Salad Chick so I’ve been trying to make my own versions. Would you know how much BarBQ Sauce (or Buffalo Sauce) to add to the Classic Carol recipe?

  3. Katelyn

    Love chicken salad chick and have been looking for a copy cat recipe forever I can’t wait to try this one! I’d also love a copy cat for some of the other flavors like Dixie Chick, Sassy Scotty or Jalapeño Holly.

  4. Scuhbuh

    I followed the recipe, and it was so salty! It may be because the Hidden Valley Ranch dry dressing mix I used also has sodium in it. Anyway, just be very careful. I would add only half or maybe even less of the salt called for. You can always add more later. With the saltiness in check, this would be a great recipe! Thanks for the copy-cat recipe, Stephanie! We enjoy Chicken Salad Chick.

  5. Terri J

    I’d like to try to make their limited-time Tarragon Dijon chicken salad. Would you have any idea how much of each to add to the Classic Carol recipe?

      • Brian Johnson

        But what brand of mayonnaise? I will just assume Dukes of course. We are opening our copycat store called Chicken Salad Jox and naming the recipes after college football teams. Not really but a fun idea. First one is Classic Cox since I am in SC, lol. Quickly followed by Tiger Tarragon. Haha have fun with the idea and a great way to name copycat recipes for foorball season.

  6. Sherry Canada

    Gotta to have some chopped boiled eggs and 1 or 2 Tbs sweet pickle relish….yummmy Love to roll chicken salad in lettuce.

  7. Kateena innis

    5 stars
    I’m trying this tomorrow!!!! Nice and amazing recipe shared by you, thank you so much for that.

  8. Pamela Martin

    5 stars
    Excellent! It tastes wonderful. I like the white meat only because it has a cleaner taste but I have to admit that I just don’t like the dark meat of a chicken. This will be easy to make-n-take to work.

  9. Angelina

    4 stars
    Sounds tasty, and I agree with you about using chicken tenders, Also, I think you meant to say chicken broth, not chicken stock, since stock is made from cooking down the bones, and broth is made from the meat. That being said, whenever I make chicken salad (I’m not referring to this recipe) I found that the tastiest chicken salad is made with equal amounts of light & dark meat. The dark meat (chicken thighs) add a LOT more flavor, which white meat just doesn’t have. I am however, anxious to try this chickens salad recipe, since it sounds amazing with the Ranch Dressing.

4.99 from 133 votes (102 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




homemade Olive Garden Asiago Torgelloni Alfredo with chicken on a plate

Copycat Recipe Secrets for 2024

REVEALED:

Yes, you CAN make it at home! 
I'll show you how.

FREE EMAIL BONUS