Chicken Salad Sandwich Recipe

This Chicken Salad Sandwich Recipe takes only 10 minutes to make and is loaded with flavor! It’s a cashew chicken salad with grapes and celery that brings the perfect crunch and a pop of sweetness from the grapes. Serve it on croissants, rolls, sliced bread or as a cracker dip!

This is a great recipe to have on hand for last minute sandwich prep and is a great way to use up any leftover chicken and/or rotisserie chicken! For another delicious take on this recipe, try my Avocado Chicken Salad! You can also try my leftover turkey salad sandwich recipe for another great sandwich recipe. For a Mexican twist, try my Ensalada de Pollo (Mexican Chicken Salad) recipe!

Why This Recipe Works

• Perfectly seasoned. I’ve had chicken salad from Costco, and it’s OK, nothing spectacular by any means. The trick with chicken salad is that you must season it appropriately. This recipe has the perfect blend of seasonings. I use (and love) Mrs. Dash Seasoning and celery salt. The last word you’ll think of when eating these chicken salad sandwiches is “bland.”
• Quick and easy recipe. This chicken salad croissant recipe comes together in just 10 minutes! It’s an easy way to mix up your lunch menu.
• Variety of textures. I’m BIG on textures and this recipe has all of them! The fresh crunch from the celery is refreshing and light combined with the soft and plump grapes that provide a burst of sweetness and moisture to the sandwich. And don’t forget the soft crunch and subtle nuttiness of the cashews! It’s a dream…

Ingredient Notes

• Chicken: If you are cooking chicken from raw, cook then shred the chicken. You can also use rotisserie chicken! 
• Mayo: The mayo is the only ingredient that brings that creamy element to the chicken salad croissant. If you’re looking to make a healthier substitute, substitute part of the mayo with some Greek yogurt. I probably wouldn’t do a complete swap, but maybe start with 1/2 cup mayo and 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt.
• Celery: Chicken salad with celery is one of my favorites! The celery adds a nice crisp crunch to the sandwich.
• Grapes: Either red or green grapes work here. You can also do half green and half red if you’d like. Slice the grapes in half so they fill the sandwich better and don’t pop out. 
• Cashews: This cashew chicken salad sandwich wouldn’t be complete without cashews! I love the soft nuttiness it brings to the recipe. Use unsalted cashews if you want to be able to control the saltiness of your croissant sandwich. 
• Mrs. Dash Seasoning: This Mrs. Dash seasoning is the secret to the best chicken salad sandwich recipe! Unfortunately, there isn’t a great substitute for this seasoning, but you could try making it yourself if you don’t have it or can’t find it at the store. It’s blend of onion powder, black pepper, celery powder, bail, oregano, bay marjoram, thyme, cayenne pepper, coriander, mustard, rosemary and cumin. It’s basically all the best spices mixed together for a perfect seasoning blend! 
• Croissants: You can also use dinner rolls for serving or sliced bread. 

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken. Cook the chicken (if starting with raw chicken) an then chop or shred the cooked chicken and let cool. 

2. Make the chicken salad. Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and mix until combined. 
3. Serve chilled. Serve on croissants, homemade rolls, or sliced bread.

Recipe Tips

This is a great recipe to use leftover chicken you may have in the fridge from last nights dinner. You can even use rotisserie chicken, bottled chicken, or grilled chicken. Just make sure it’s cooked and shredded or chopped into bite sized pieces.

Additional add-ins: Chopped chives, sliced green onions. You don’t have to use cashews in this chicken salad sandwich recipe, pecans or even sliced almonds would be great alternatives. Add some fresh lettuce on the sandwich for an extra veggie and additional crunch. 

If you’re looking to make a healthier chicken salad sandwich you can try substituting plain greek yogurt for the mayo. I probably wouldn’t do a complete swap, but maybe start with 1/2 cup mayo and 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt. You can also use a fat-free mayo as healthier option, too.

This chicken salad recipe can also be used as a cracker dip, rolled in a tortilla for a chicken salad wrap, topped on a bed of lettuce, served with sourdough or a baguette! The options are endless. Want a healthier take? Make these into a chicken salad lettuce wrap instead of using croissants or bread! 

The beautiful thing about this recipe is you don’t have to follow it exactly. If you want more grapes, add more grapes. If you want more cashews, add more cashews.

Make Ahead, Storing, and Freezing

Store any leftover (of if made in advance) chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. 

This recipe won’t freeze well due to the fresh grapes and celery, the nuts and the mayo (or if you’ve used Greek yogurt) in the dressing. 

FAQs

More Easy Lunch Recipes

• Avocado Chicken Wraps
• Cucumber and Dill Sandwiches
• Tomato Pesto Sandwich
• How to Make a Cheese Quesadilla

This recipe was originally published on Jan. 20, 2020. It was republished on Jan. 20, 2022, to include additional information and photos.