Bring back a nostalgic favorite with this Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Salad Sandwich made with simple ingredients and plenty of flavor.
This Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Salad Sandwich brings back the classic flavors of the beloved original with tender shredded chicken, crunchy celery, sweet pickle relish, and a creamy, perfectly seasoned dressing. Served on soft toasted bread with crisp lettuce, this easy sandwich recipe makes a delicious lunch, light dinner, or picnic favorite. I
Sandwiches are great for on the go especially these chicken salad sandwiches. For more easy sandwiches to throw together you have to check out my Italian Sliders, Deviled Egg Salad Sandwiches, and Ham and Swiss Sliders.
Table of Contents
Why We Love This Chicken Salad Sandwich
- Simple ingredients make it easy to prepare in just 10 minutes!
- It’s a kid-friendly meal that’s easy to customize based on preferences.
- Perfect for meal prep, keeping well in the fridge for a few days.
Recipe Ingredients
Relish – Depending on your preference, you can use either dill relish or sweet pickle relish to achieve the flavor you like best.
Eggs – We recommend using our Instant Pot hard-boiled eggs recipe for perfectly cooked eggs!
Chicken – If you don’t have chicken breasts, feel free to shred a rotisserie chicken. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious, and not as thick and “chunky” as fresh chicken breasts.
For a full list of ingredients and amounts, see the recipe card below.
Variations
Add-Ins – Although this recipe doesn’t use any seasonings or add-ins, you could try adding dill, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, mustard, or salt and pepper to taste for extra flavor. For a little crunch or added flavor, consider diced onion, green apple, green onion, purple grapes, or chopped almonds or cashews.
Adjust the Relish – If you prefer a less sweet flavor, try using dill relish instead of sweet pickle relish. It will give the chicken salad a tangier and more savory bite, similar to Chick-fil-A’s original taste.
How to Make Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Salad Sandwich
Step 1: In a large food processor, add the crispy chicken, grilled chicken, celery, mayonnaise, and sweet pickle relish. Pulse for 5 seconds.
Step 2: Add the peeled boiled eggs to the processor. Pulse for an additional 10 seconds. Be careful not to over-process.
Step 3: Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Expert Tips
Avoid Overprocessing the Ingredients – Blend everything in the food processor for only 10-15 seconds. Blending ingredients one at a time can result in an uneven texture, so aim for a chunky consistency.
Don’t Overfill the Sandwich – Avoid overstuffing the sandwich with too much chicken salad. A smaller portion will make it easier to eat and prevent any mess.
Ways to Serve this Salad Sandwich
Sandwiches and Wraps – Enjoy on wheatberry bread, sourdough, or croissant with fresh lettuce, or for a lighter option, wrap it in crisp lettuce leaves.
Sides and Alternatives – Easy food ideas like chicken nuggets, French fries, or sweet potato fries make a great side to the sandwich. You can also pair your sandwich with a side salad or fruit salad for a slightly healthier meal.
Soups – Pair with Loaded Potato Soup, Cheesy Cauliflower Soup, Better Than Panera Broccoli Soup, or Tuscan Lentil Soup for a comforting meal.
Salads – Perfect with Cranberry Apple Pecan Kale Salad, BBQ Chicken Salad, Chopped Thai Salad, Amazing Cobb Salad, or Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad.
FAQs
I used wheatberry bread, just like the original Chick-fil-A recipe, but you can use any slices of bread you prefer! Sourdough, whole wheat, or even a soft croissant works great. If you’re looking for something lighter, a fresh baguette or a gluten-free bread option is also perfect.
Yes, you can make the chicken salad ahead of time. Since it has a decent shelf life, you can store it in the fridge for 5-7 days. The veggies should stay crisp and fresh, making it perfect for enjoying throughout the week.
Storage Information
To STORE the Chicken Salad, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay good for up to 3 days. For the bread, it’s best to store it separately to maintain freshness.
If you want to FREEZE the chicken salad, you can freeze it in an airtight container for up to 1 month. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight and serve with fresh bread. To REHEAT, gently warm the chicken salad on the stove or microwave before assembling the sandwich.
Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Salad Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 crispy (original) chicken breasts - cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 grilled chicken breasts - cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 stalks celery - cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1/3 cup sweet pickle relish
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise - (light or olive oil works fine)
- 2 hard-boiled eggs
Additional Ingredients
- green leaf or butter leaf bib lettuce
- wheatberry bread or honey wheatberry bread
Instructions
- In a large food processor, add the crispy chicken, grilled chicken, celery, mayonnaise, and sweet pickle relish. Pulse for 5 seconds.
- Add the peeled boiled eggs to the processor. Pulse for an additional 10 seconds. Be careful not to over-process.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Such a good sandwich, definitely reminds me of the Chickfila version.
My kids went crazy for his! So much better than takeout!
Even better than Chick fil a!! So creamy & lots of flavor!
This was spot on and tasted just like Chick Fil A’s! I absolutely loved it.
I made this using can chicken, all I had and yummy
That works too! Glad you liked it!