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.


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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 130 votes
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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.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Vicki Niles

    5 stars
    I fell in love with Chicken Salad Chick’s chicken salad when I was visiting in South Carolina. They don’t have these great restaurants in the northwest so I tried this recipe. It is so yummy!!

  2. Shelly

    5 stars
    I absolutely LOOOOVE this chicken salad from chicken salad chick! I cannot believe how spot on this recipe is for the restaurant version! THANK YOU!

  3. Becky

    5 stars
    Thank you for this recipe. I love CSC, and I just made a big bowl of my favorite, Fruity Fran by using your base recipe and adding chopped white seedless grapes, pineapple tidbits and finely diced apple. I had some wheat crackers and and it’s lunch time!

  4. Jenn

    Any idea about Cranberry Kelli? I know there are dried cranberries and slivered almonds, but do you just use this one as a base and add that?

  5. Holly

    Do you happen to know the recipe for the true blue Betty! I was obsessed but it was only seasonal so it’s gone. So sad! I’m craving it so badly!

    • Leigh

      For every lb of the base recipe (Classic Carol) it’s a quarter cup of each ingredient. So, the True Blue Betty would be the base with a quarter cup of blue cheese, a quarter cup or ranch, a few dashes or Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper to taste!

  6. Denise Kovalewich

    5 stars
    So quick and easy to make. I added some scallions to the recipe. I’m a chicken salad fanatic and his didn’t disappoint. I’m on the East Coast, so I used Hellman’s mayo and it was delish.

  7. Amy

    I have searched for Olivia’s Old South (the one with pickles and eggs) and have not been able to find a recipe for it. Do you happen to have this recipe? Thanks!

  8. Joann

    I have had the. Hi Ken said here several times and it is fabulous. They also offer a grape salad wit cream cheese sauce that is out of this world. Do you happen to,have the receipt for,the cream cheese sauce?

      • Becky

        I live in south GA and this salad is very common. I dont add the extra brown sugar, I’m dibetic.
        GRAPE SALAD

        8 ounces (226.8 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
        1 cup (230 ml) sour cream
        ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
        1 teaspoon vanilla extract
        4 pounds (1.81 kg) red seedless grapes, rinsed and drained well, about 10 cups
        ½ cup (110 g) light brown sugar
        1 cup (99 g) chopped pecans
        Instructions
        In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat together the cream cheese, sour cream, sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and thick, about 3 minutes.
        Add the grapes to the bowl and, using a rubber spatula, gently fold the grapes into the cream cheese mixture until everything is evenly coated. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving, or overnight.
        Prior to serving, sprinkle with brown sugar and chopped pecans. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    • Tiff

      They tell you what is in it when you visit the restaurant. Simply ask. I know its grapes, cream cheese, and I believe sour cream, with brown sugar and pecans on top.

    • Luly

      5 stars
      Joann,
      I have the recipe for the grape salad at the house and it actually uses mayonnaise which sounds so weird but it’s true.

  9. Margaret

    5 stars
    I’ve made this recipe so many times that I no longer need to refer to the recipe. Every person who eats it says it is better than CSC. My teenage daughter, who is a picky eater, absolutely loves it. I use the following products: Better than Bouillon (low sodium) for the broth; Duke’s Mayonnaise (way more than the recipe calls for); and Hidden Valley Ranch dressing. I can’t thank you enough for sharing this wonderful recipe with us!

  10. E Shel

    They do not use dry ranch.
    It’s a seasoning packet but no dry ranch

    Dixie Chick is just a base + diced onions
    Jalapeño Holly is the based + pickled jalapenos

  11. Jessica

    Please please copy the dill-iciois recipe. It was available MAYBE 2 weeks here and I got hooked and now it’s gooooone

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