Chicken Salad With Cream Cheese
Enjoy a rich, creamy chicken salad with cream cheese! Perfect for sandwiches, dips, or meal prep, this easy recipe is packed with flavor and texture.
Ingredients
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
- You can poach bake, or roast your chicken breast. Leftover rotisserie chicken also works very well. Aim for tender, bite-sized pieces.
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- This adds the main creamy base. Softening it beforehand helps it mix more easily.
¼ cup mayonnaise (mayo)
- Mayonnaise adds a lighter texture. You can use sour cream instead if you prefer or do a combination of both.
½ cup sour cream
- Sour cream offers a slight tang. If you like a thicker consistency reduce the amount.
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
- Celery provides freshness and crunch. Adjust the amount to your liking.
¼ cup finely chopped onion
- Onion introduces flavor. Some people enjoy green onions shallots, or even red onion for color.
½ cup chopped bell pepper
- Use any color bell pepper. The taste and color both work well in this dish.
½ cup grapes (halved) or apple chunks (optional)
- For a pop of sweetness you can add grapes or diced apple. If you want more tartness, diced green apple works nicely.
⅓ cup chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or almonds) (optional)
- Nuts deliver a subtle crunch. Toast them lightly before adding if you want a richer flavor.
Salt and pepper to taste
- Season lightly then adjust at the end. You can add a pinch of season salt or other spices as well.
Optional extras:
- Green onions: Sub them for regular onions or add them for more color.
- Cranberries or dried fruit: Increase the sweet-tangy element.
- Black or green olives: Introduce a briny flavor.
Instructions
Gather and Soften
- Place your softened cream cheese in a large bowl. If it’s still too firm, let it rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This step makes it simpler to mix later.
Cook or Prep Your Chicken
- You can use various methods:
- Poach: Gently simmer chicken breasts in a pot of water or broth until fully cooked. This usually takes 15–20 minutes, depending on thickness.
- Roast or Bake: Season your chicken with salt and pepper, and bake in an oven at around 375°F (190°C) until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Leftover Rotisserie Chicken: Pull off the meat and chop or shred as needed. This saves time and is already seasoned.
Chop, Chop, Chop
- Chop the chicken into bite-sized cubes, slice your grapes, dice your apple (if using), and finely chop any vegetables you’re adding (celery, onions, bell pepper). If you want nuts, chop them as well or buy them pre-chopped.
Combine the Creamy Base
- In the large bowl with the softened cream cheese, add the mayonnaise and sour cream. Use a spoon or hand mixer to blend them until smooth. Make sure there are no lumps of cream cheese.
Add the Other Ingredients
- Toss the chopped chicken, celery, onion, bell pepper, grapes or apple chunks (if using), and nuts into the bowl. Gently fold everything together, coating all ingredients with the creamy mixture.
Season and Adjust
- Sprinkle a little salt and pepper. Stir, then taste. If the mixture needs more tang, you could add a small spoonful of sour cream or a squeeze of lemon. If it feels too thick, fold in a small splash of milk or more mayo. Adjust your seasonings one pinch at a time so you don’t overwhelm the dish.
Chill and Serve
- Once you are pleased with the flavor and consistency, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or place the chicken salad in an airtight container. Let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step allows the flavors to meld.
Notes
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Protein: 24g
- Total Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 4g
- Sodium: 480mg
Recipe Categories
- Course: Lunch, Dinner, Snack
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Carb, High Protein, Gluten-Free (when served without bread)
- Method: Mixing, Chilling
- Keywords: Creamy chicken salad, chicken salad with cream cheese, easy lunch, protein-packed salad, meal prep
- Skill Level: Beginner