This lemon chicken salad recipe is rich, creamy, and bright. Perfect on a bed of lettuce or as a sandwich on your favorite roll.
When I was growing up, we had a little market in our suburban neighborhood. They made the best potato and chicken salad. My husband's potato salad comes pretty close, but I have yet to find a similar ready made chicken salad.
More Creamy Salad Recipes: Shrimp Salad Sandwich Roll....Classic Tuna & Egg Salad.....Seafood Salad
My version has lots of lemon and some fresh thyme for extra flavor. I love the flavor combination of lemon and thyme, but you can use any fresh herbs such as fresh dill if you like.
One of the key ingredients is cream cheese, which makes it extra creamy and decadent. This is one thing I could remember from that yummy market chicken salad. I also used mayo, but sour cream could have worked just as well.
Serve it on a bed of lettuce or make a sandwich with your favorite roll. Go to town with a croissant for an elegant brunch or lunch with the girls. This would also be great to serve at a baby or bridal shower hosted at your own home.
Creamy Lemon Chicken Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 4 ounces cream cheese - softened
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the chicken breasts by placing them in a large pot filled with cold water. Add salt, pepper, and whatever other seasoning you may have on hand. Bring to a boil, then turn down to medium heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Drain and let cool.
- Once the chicken has cooled a bit. Hand shred and chop.
- Place cream cheese, mayo, lemon juice, zest, and spices in a food processor. Pulse until smooth.
- Add the chicken and pulse just a few times to incorporate into the sauce.
- Remove and serve on rolls or salad, or place it in the refrigerater. Make about 2 cups.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although attempts have been made to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
CD Loken
You had me at lemons, Patti! Oh, how I love anything with a squeeze or two! Thank you so much for sharing your chicken salad! I'll definitely be whipping up a batch this weekend!
Patti Estep
Yay! I hope you love it CD.
Carole West
Thank you for sharing this, I've been trying to think of something I can make ahead of time for lunch that we could eat for a couple of days and Chicken salad slipped my mind. With Lemon it sounds amazing. This will be on the menu next week... YUM!
Patti Estep
Thanks Carole. It should be a great one for several days and I don't know why I don't make it more often. My other favorite that is similar is tuna salad with hard boiled eggs.
Denise
That looks delicious! I love lemon in everything lately so this is right up my alley. I'm also on a low carb diet and I think this recipe would be low carb too!
Patti Estep
Thanks Denise. It's perfect for low carb eating. Enough creaminess and the lemon gives it added flavor.