If you love a punch of tangy, fresh flavor combined with tender, savory chicken, this Dill Pickle Chicken Salad Recipe is about to become your new favorite go-to. It’s a delightful twist on classic chicken salad, where creamy sour cream and mayo meet the bright zip of dill pickles, fresh herbs, and just the right dash of Dijon mustard. Every bite is bursting with contrasting textures and flavors that work in perfect harmony, making it a wonderful choice for quick lunches, picnics, or snacks that feel special without any fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Dill Pickle Chicken Salad Recipe relies on simple, wholesome ingredients that come together effortlessly to create something truly tasty. Each component adds its own magic, from the creamy dressing to the fresh herbs that brighten everything up.
- Sour cream: Adds a smooth tang that balances the richness of the mayo while keeping the salad moist.
- Mayo: Creates the creamy base for the dressing, binding all the flavors beautifully.
- Garlic powder: Provides a subtle depth of flavor without overpowering the salad.
- Lemon juice: Introduces a fresh acidity that lifts the entire dish.
- Dijon-style mustard: Brings a mild kick and complexity to the dressing.
- Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings to taste, enhancing every other ingredient.
- Diced rotisserie chicken: Convenient, tender, and packed with savory goodness.
- Finely diced dill pickles: The star ingredient—delivering the signature tang and crunch.
- Pickle relish: Adds sweet and briny bursts that complement the diced pickles.
- Thinly sliced green onions: Offer a mild onion flavor and a fresh, crisp texture.
- Finely diced parsley: Brightens the salad with a herbaceous note and vibrant color.
- Finely diced dill: Amplifies the pickle’s distinctive flavor and ties the salad together.
How to Make Dill Pickle Chicken Salad Recipe
Step 1: Make the Dressing
Start by whisking together sour cream, mayo, garlic powder, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. This luscious dressing is the heart of the salad, perfectly creamy with a hint of zing to enhance every bite.
Step 2: Add the Chicken Salad Ingredients
Next, fold in the diced rotisserie chicken, finely diced dill pickles, pickle relish, green onions, parsley, and dill. Combining these fresh, flavorful ingredients in the dressing allows their unique tastes and textures to meld harmoniously.
Step 3: Mix
Gently stir everything together until each ingredient is fully coated with the creamy dressing. Careful mixing ensures you don’t lose all the pickles’ crunchy bite or the bright herbaceous pops that make this salad so exciting.
Step 4: Taste and Adjust
Give your salad a careful taste test and add salt and pepper as needed. This step is where you make the recipe your own—maybe a little extra pepper for zing or a touch more lemon juice for brightness.
Step 5: Serve
Your Dill Pickle Chicken Salad Recipe is now ready to enjoy! Whether piled high on croissants, spooned into crisp lettuce wraps, scattered over fresh greens, or served as bite-sized appetizers on cucumber slices, this salad shines in every form.
How to Serve Dill Pickle Chicken Salad Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like extra dill sprigs or parsley enhance the visual appeal and add flavor. A sprinkle of cracked black pepper or a dusting of paprika can also lift the presentation and taste.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs wonderfully with crisp sides like kettle-cooked chips, crunchy raw veggies, or even a light fruit salad for a refreshing balance. A bowl of creamy tomato soup or roasted sweet potatoes can also complement its tart tang beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Take this Dill Pickle Chicken Salad Recipe up a notch by serving it in hollowed-out tomatoes or bell peppers for an elegant, mess-free meal. You can also stuff pita pockets or use it as a filling for savory crepes to surprise and delight your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This chicken salad stores beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping it chilled allows the flavors to meld even more, but make sure to give it a gentle stir before serving.
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended for this Dill Pickle Chicken Salad Recipe as the creamy dressing and fresh ingredients can separate and lose their texture after thawing.
Reheating
No need to reheat chicken salad! Serve it cold straight from the fridge for the best experience, where every bite stays crisp, creamy, and refreshing.
FAQs
Can I use cooked chicken instead of rotisserie chicken?
Absolutely! Any cooked chicken, whether poached, grilled, or roasted, will work perfectly well in this Dill Pickle Chicken Salad Recipe. Just dice it finely, and you’re good to go.
What type of pickles should I use?
Dill pickles are essential here for their tangy, herbal flavor that defines the salad. Avoid sweet pickles as they will change the flavor profile significantly.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, this salad is great for meal prep and packed lunches. Just keep it refrigerated and consume within a few days for freshness and quality.
Can I add other ingredients to this salad?
Definitely! Chopped celery for crunch, diced apples for sweetness, or even a handful of nuts can add interesting texture and flavor to your Dill Pickle Chicken Salad Recipe.
How can I make this salad lighter?
Replace half or all of the mayo with Greek yogurt or use light sour cream to reduce calories while retaining creaminess and tang in the salad.
Final Thoughts
There’s something magical about a recipe that feels both familiar and exciting, and this Dill Pickle Chicken Salad Recipe hits that spot perfectly. It’s quick to prepare, bursting with flavor, and endlessly versatile. Whether feeding family, entertaining friends, or just treating yourself, give this recipe a try—you might just find your new favorite salad in the process.
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Dill Pickle Chicken Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Dill Pickle Chicken Salad is a creamy, tangy, and flavorful dish made with rotisserie chicken, dill pickles, and fresh herbs. Perfect as a sandwich filling, a topping for greens, or an appetizer served on cucumber slices, it combines the savory taste of chicken with the bright zest of pickles and fresh dill, making it a refreshing and easy-to-make meal or snack in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3/4 cup mayo
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Chicken Salad
- 3 cups diced rotisserie chicken
- 1 cup finely diced dill pickles
- 1/4 cup pickle relish
- 1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions
- 2 tablespoons finely diced parsley
- 2 tablespoons finely diced dill
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, combine the sour cream, mayo, garlic powder, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk everything together until the mixture is smooth and well blended, creating a flavorful base for the salad.
- Add the Chicken Salad Ingredients: Add the diced rotisserie chicken, finely diced dill pickles, pickle relish, green onions, parsley, and dill to the dressing bowl. These ingredients add texture and the signature tangy taste to the salad.
- Mix: Gently stir all the ingredients together until the chicken and vegetables are evenly coated with the creamy dressing, making sure not to mash the pickles or chicken pieces.
- Taste and Adjust: Sample the chicken salad and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt and pepper if needed for the perfect balance of flavors.
- Serve: Serve the chicken salad in croissants, lettuce wraps, over mixed greens for a light meal, or spoon it onto cucumber slices to create tasty appetizer bites that showcase the fresh and tangy flavors.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for convenience and flavor; shredded or diced leftover cooked chicken works well too.
- Adjust the amount of dill pickles and pickle relish to your taste preference for tanginess.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute mayo with Greek yogurt and use low-fat sour cream.
- Fresh dill and parsley provide a vibrant flavor; dried herbs can be used but reduce quantities by half.
- Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to blend flavors; store leftovers in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Great served on fresh bread, crackers, or as lettuce wraps for a gluten-free option.
