This is the best chicken salad without celery. It's easy, straightforward, and simple to make using basic ingredients. I've used pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to speed up the process, meaning it takes less than 10 minutes to make.
This is one of those salad dishes that you'll be making on repeat, especially on a summer's day. It's perfect for celery haters, because I've taken it out of the recipe and swapped in some crunchy alternatives including radish and green onion.
If you're looking for a healthier alternative, then check out my Chicken Salad without Mayo recipe, perfect for when you're looking for a bit of extra greens and less mayo.
Or if you're looking for some more easy and simple chicken recipes, then you'll love my Scallion Chicken, Honey Ginger Chicken, and my Greek Yogurt Air Fryer Chicken recipes.
For another tasty salad recipe, check out my Dill Pickle Egg Salad recipe!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Simple: This chicken salad recipe with no celery requires only a handful of ingredients including rotisserie chicken, parsley, green onion, and radish as the main bulk parts of the salad. You can also optionally top the salad with my 15 minute ciabatta croutons that are so good!
No celery: Yes, you heard me, this chicken salad doesn't include celery. And instead we've swapped out that crunch with green onion and radishes.
Speedy: Because I've chosen to use rotisserie or pre-cooked chicken breast, this salad takes less than 10 minutes to make. I've provided a variation below further down in the blog if you'd like to cook the chicken from scratch.
If you're looking for another summer's day meal, then my Vietnamese inspired summer noodle salad is such a great recipe.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Rotisserie chicken: To speed up the cooking and prepping process for this chicken salad without celery, I've used pre-cooked rotisserie chicken breast and it works a treat! You just shred it and add it in with your remaining ingredients. I've provided an alternative recipe below in "recipe variations" for if you want to cook the chicken from scratch.
Green onions: Spring onions/green onions add a lovely tang and slight crunch to the salad. If you don't have green onions, feel free to use chives or finely chopped shallots.
Radish: Because we've got rid of the celery in this recipe, we need an extra crunch, so I chose radish! If you're not a fan of radish or other crunchy vegetables, I'd recommend adding in some chopped walnuts for that crunchy element.
Parsley: For freshness and herbiness, we've got fresh parsley. If you don't have parsley, I'd recommend adding coriander or chopped arugula.
For the sauce
Mayonnaise: I've used Hellmann's mayonnaise for this recipe, but you can use whatever brand you like! If you don't like mayonnaise, you could use salad cream or sour cream as the creamy element.
Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice adds a wonderful acidity to this recipe.
Dijon mustard: Another element that balances out the flavours really well. You can use smooth dijon or wholegrain.
Honey: Runny honey adds a little bit of sweetness. You could also just add 1 teaspoon sugar if you don't have honey.
Paprika: For smokiness and extra flavour. You can also use cayenne.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients.
Recipe Variations
Homemade cooked chicken: If you'd like to make this no celery chicken salad recipe but want to also make the chicken from scratch, then follow this simple recipe. Place 2 chicken breasts in a wide pot or pan and cover by about an inch with cold water. Season the water with salt. Turn the heat to medium until it reaches a gentle simmer. Then reduce the heat back to low and cover the pan. Let the chicken simmer for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 74C/165F. Remove the chicken and let it rest for a couple of minutes. Then chill in the fridge and follow this chicken salad recipe.
Fruity: Some people like adding fruit into their chicken salads for extra sweetness. So, if that's you, I'd recommend adding in some chopped grapes, or chopped dates, or pomegranate seeds. If you're adding in fruit, I'd recommend not adding the honey to the dressing.
Vegan chicken salad: If you're wanting to make a plant-based version, buy yourself some shredded vegan chicken pieces. You can then also use vegan mayonnaise, Hellmann's is great!
Step-by-Step Instructions with Photos
Step 1: First up, shred, chop and slice all of your chicken salad ingredients and add them to a large bowl.
Step 2: Next, combine all of the chicken salad dressing ingredients in a bowl. Taste and season with salt, pepper, or more honey based on your preference.
Step 3: Pour your dijon-mayo dressing over the chicken salad and then toss with spoons so that the salad ingredients are coated in the dressing. Then serve up and enjoy!
Top Tips!
- If you'd like to chop or shred your chicken really finely, then you can use an electric hand mixer to shred it.
- If you like your chicken salad fruity, then add in some chopped grapes, chopped dates, or sultanas.
- Want a bit more crunch to your salad? Add some roughly chopped walnuts.
What to do with Leftovers & How to Store it!
Storage: since this recipe is meant to be chilled, don’t leave it out at room temperature for more than two hours. Otherwise, store it in the fridge in an airtight container for 4 to 5 days.
How to Serve this No Celery Chicken Salad Recipe
I love just eating this chicken salad recipe with no celery by the spoonful, straight of the bowl because it's that good! It also acts as a great side dish for a bbq! Here are some more ideas for you to turn it into a meal:
- Sandwich: as you can see in the image above, I used some of the chicken salad as a focaccia sandwich filler.
- Lettuce wrap: for a low car option, grab a large lettuce leaf and fill it with chicken salad, then wrap it in the lettuce and enjoy!
- Pasta salad: This chicken salad without celery recipe is great combined with cold pasta to make a chicken pasta salad.
FAQs
I've suggested using radish and green onions as the crunchy elements. You can also use chopped walnuts too.
Absolutely, you can double or triple the recipe quantities to serve 4-6 people.
Place it in an airtight container and into the fridge for up to 5 days.
Other related recipes you might enjoy!
If you tried this Chicken Salad without Celery or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thank you!
The BEST Chicken Salad without Celery
Ingredients
For the salad
- 2 chicken breasts rotisserie style, cooked and shredded
- 8 radishes halved and finely sliced
- 7g fresh parsley roughly chopped
- 3 green onions finely sliced
For the mayo dijon dressing
- 5 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- ½ tablespoon runny honey
- ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- First up, shred, chop and slice all of your chicken salad ingredients and add them to a large bowl.
- Next, combine all of the chicken salad dressing ingredients in a bowl. Taste and season with salt, pepper, or more honey based on your preference.
- Pour your dijon-mayo dressing over the chicken salad and then toss with spoons so that the salad ingredients are coated in the dressing. Then serve up and enjoy!
Notes
- If you'd like to chop your chicken really finely, almost shredded, then you can use an electric hand mixer to shred it.
- If you like your chicken salad fruity, then add in some chopped grapes, chopped dates, or sultanas.
- Want a bit more crunch to your salad? Add some roughly chopped walnuts.
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