Crockpot Chicken Salad

If you love chicken salad recipe as much as my family, try these other recipes. Chicken Cucumber Salad Sandwich Recipe or The Best Chicken Salad Recipe are easy to make with simple ingredients.

This classic recipe is even easier making in the slow cooker and taste so much better than store bought.

What is Chicken Salad?

Chicken salad is a staple summertime recipe that combines a variety of ingredients. This recipe is flavorful and can easily be modified to what you prefer.

Chicken salad combines shredded chicken breast, celery, onions and seasoning. We usually add in some slice grapes for added texture. These ingredients are then mixed in mayonnaise and the served as a sandwich or on a salad.

This is a classic recipe that is quick and easy and always a crowd favorite.

Ingredients 

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

• Add in other fruits – Feel free to add in other types of fruit. We love the flavor of grapes but you can also add in in diced apples ot dried cranberries.
• Nuts – We like add in nuts for an additional crunch to this chicken salad recipe. We recommend walnuts, pecans, or slice almonds.
• Onions – Add in green onions to this recipe if you prefer.
• Seasoning – If you would like some extra spice to this recipe, we recommend some cajun seasoning or red pepper flakes. Garlic powder can also be added for added flavor.
• Avocado – Avocado is also another great addition. Avocados are many healthy benefits and adds extra flavor.
• Chicken – For an easier option, feel free to use leftover cooked chicken. You can also mix in rotisserie chicken.
• Greek Yogurt – If a healthier and low calorie option, instead of using mayonnaise use Greek Yogurt.
• Jalapeno – Chop up some jalapeno and mix it in with the chicken salad ingredient. This makes for a little spicy chicken salad.

How to Make Chicken Salad in the Crock Pot

• Step 1 – Add chicken and veggies to slow cooker. – Place the chicken, celery, onion and broth in a 6 quart crock pot. 

• Step 2 – Cook Ingredients. – Cover and slow cook on low for 4-6 hours until the boneless skinless chicken breasts is cooked through and easy to shred. Cooking time may vary, it may only take 3-4 hours to cook the chicken.
• Step 3 – Shred Chicken – Remove the chicken, shred it and let it cool at room temperature in a large mixing bowl.  Move the veggies from the crock pot into the large mixing bowl as well with a slotted spoon.  

• Step 4 – Stir Ingredients – Stir in the remaining ingredients until well combined.  Add more salt and pepper to taste. 

• Step 5 – Serve – Serve on bread, lettuce wraps or crackers.  Enjoy! 

How to Shred Chicken

Once you have cooked the slow cooker shredded chicken it is now ready to be shredded. You can shred the chicken with two forks or my favorite way is to use a stand mixer.

This has been a game changer for getting chicken shredded quickly and easily. We give you all the tips and tricks here on How to Shred Chicken. If you are needing a new stand mixer, check out The 4 Best Affordable Stand Mixers of 2024.

Recipe Tips

• Chopped Vegetables – You can easily chop the onions and celery ahead of time. We like to cut all the veggies at once and then freeze them. It makes it easy when preparing this recipe.
• Chicken – You can place frozen chicken breast or thawed chicken breast in the slow cooker. I usually just put frozen chicken in the slow cooker.
• Combining Ingredients – Make sure to let the chicken cool to room temperature before combining with the other ingredients.
• Shred Chicken – Shred the chicken with forks or with a stand mixer.
• Double the Recipe – This recipe can easily be doubled if you are serving to a crowd. Just add in more chicken and combine with the other ingredients.

Can Chicken Salad be Frozen?

We don’t recommend freezing the chicken salad. But what we do recommend is freezing the cooked chicken. If you have leftover cooked chicken, simply chop up the chicken and put in the freezer.

Then it is easy to pull out the frozen chicken and let it thaw to follow the steps to make chicken salad. Learn more on our Can You Freeze Chicken Salad post.

What to Serve with Chicken Salad

• Sandwich – Feel free to serve this chicken on different types of bread. We recommend croissants, French Bread or Rye Bread.
• Lettuce – Serve this prepared on some lettuce for a quick and healthy lunch.
• Pita – We love to add this chicken salad in a Pita.
• Crackers – Make a batch of chicken salad and serve with a side of your favorite crackers.
• Sliders – Serve the chicken salad on Hawaiian Rolls for the perfect sliders. This size would be perfect for serving to a crowd.

How to Store Leftovers

Refrigerate the leftover slow cooker chicken salad in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days.  We think this recipe taste even better as it marinates overnight. We recommend preparing a day before serving for best results.