Tangy and creamy pickle chicken salad is the perfect light meal for sandwiches and croissants. It’s loaded with shredded chicken, dill pickles, and crisp celery in a mayonnaise-based sauce. Pickle lovers will devour this chicken salad.

Pickle Chicken Salad on bread sitting on a plate with a pickle sitting on the top of the bread

It is a fantastic dish for the warmer months of the year when you don’t want to turn the oven on. It is a great make-ahead dish to keep in your fridge for lunches or snacks for work.

Pickle Chicken Salad sandwich on a white plate topped with a tiny pickle with a tall glass of iced tea next to it

I love bringing you all new flavorful, easy to make, and family-friendly recipes. Be sure to try my dill pickle potato salad, pickle pasta salad, or even these tasty fried pickles. All are pickle enthusiast-approved.

This chicken salad will give you nostalgic vibes of a picnic or camping on a hot summer day as a kid. You get all the flavors you know in love in a simple but satisfying protein chicken salad.

Pickle Chicken Salad on a plate with a drink and more salad in a bowl to the side

Reasons You Will Love This Pickle Chicken Salad Recipe…

Meal Prep: Do you like to prep your meals? If so, you can make this salad ahead of time to pack for your lunches or as a grab-and-go meal on busy nights.
Flavorful: This recipe offers a tangy kick and flavor in each bite. There is no bland salad here.
Versatile: You can easily add or change the ingredients to create a meal that is exactly what you want. Plus, there are endless ways to serve this chicken dish.

ingredients for Pickle Chicken Salad in single serve bowls on table

Ingredients Needed

Chicken: You can use rotisserie chicken or any pre-cooked diced chicken.
Eggs: The eggs will add flavor and protein to the salad!
Celery: Fresh and crunchy celery adds a lovely lightness to the salad.
Pickles: I recommend dill pickles for this, as they will add a nice tang and zest to the base of the salad.
Sweet Relish: Then, I used sweet relish to add a touch of sweetness. The pairing works well.
Scallions: Finely chopped scallions will add a mild onion flavor to the salad.
Dill: Fresh dill will give some brightness and compliment the pickle flavor.
Garlic Powder: You will add a bit of garlic powder to help enhance the flavor. It will be mild compared to fresh garlic.
Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise is the base of the sauce, and it adds a nice light flavor and creamy texture.
Sour Cream: The sour cream adds a nice tang to the dressing.
Mustard: I love using yellow as it carries that sharp bite from the acidicness.
Salt and Pepper: Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Bread: You can eat bread, croissants, crackers, or whatever you like with the salad.

Pickle Chicken Salad creamy sauce ingredients in a small bowl

all the ingredients for the Pickle Chicken Salad in a glass bowl on table

Variations

Diced or shredded turkey can be used for lean protein.
You can use canned chicken. Just drain the chicken well.
Chickpeas can replace chicken in a plant-based salad or be added for additional flavor and protein.
Greek yogurt can be used to replace sour cream.
If you don’t want a bit of sweetness, use a dill relish instead of sweet.
Shredded carrots, diced bell peppers, red onion, or chopped jalapenos can also be added for more flavor.
Use spicy or Dijon mustard to replace yellow mustard.
Add some heat with hot sauce or even cayenne pepper.

Pickle Chicken Salad on plate on bread with a pickle and toothpick in top

Tips for Making Chicken Salad

Chop the ingredients finely so you get a nice blend of all flavors from the salad with each bite.

Chilling the salad will help ensure that you blend all the flavors in the salad.

You can adjust the flavor by adding more salt, pepper, or other ingredients.

Fresh ingredients are key to optimal flavor. The fresher the ingredients, the better the flavor.

If you want a creamier salad, add more sour cream and mayonnaise.

Pickle Chicken Salad on plate with a soda in glass to the side

Storing Salad

Your salad can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days. Stir it between servings so that all the flavors blend back together.

Due to the ingredients, freezing the salad is not the best option. It will also cause the creamy dressing to break up.

Pickle Chicken Salad sandwich on a white plate topped with a tiny pickle and iced tea in the background

FAQs

Can I make this chicken salad ahead of time?

Go ahead and make this salad a day or even a few hours before you want to serve it. It will have more flavor.

How do I make this lighter?

Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and mayonnaise. This will add protein and make the salad lighter.

What can I serve this with?

You can cook the salad in an avocado half, stuff a tomato, and serve it on crackers, tortillas, pita bread, regular bread, and more. Pick and choose any of your favorite ways to serve it.

How do I prevent it from getting watery?

Drain off the liquid from the pickle before you mix it up. As the salad sets, it will become a bit more watery.

close up of a Pickle Chicken Salad on a plate

Easy Pickle Chicken Salad (for Moms Who Don’t Have Time for Fuss) Let’s be real — some days, I just need lunch to happen fast, and ideally with things I already have in the fridge. This pickle chicken salad is one of those recipes that feels like I put in more effort than I actually did. It’s crunchy, creamy, tangy, and totally addicting (even my picky eater surprised me by going back for seconds). The best part? No fancy ingredients. No weird steps. Just real, simple food that comes together in minutes — perfect for a quick lunch or even stuffed into sandwiches for the whole crew.

up close shot of the Pickle Chicken Salad sandwich on a white plate topped with a tiny pickle

My Pickle Chicken Salad is so simple & so addicting If you’re a fan of pickles and need a quick lunch idea that hits all the right notes — creamy, tangy, and full of flavor — you’re going to love this Pickle Chicken Salad! It’s perfect for busy moms, picky eaters, and anyone who appreciates a delicious recipe. This is one of my go-to lunches when I have leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken in the fridge. It comes together in minutes and is delicious on a sandwich, in a lettuce wrap, or straight from the bowl with a fork!