Hey there, fellow chicken salad enthusiasts! I’ve been on a personal mission lately to find the absolute BEST chicken salad in my area, and let me tell ya – it’s been quite the delicious journey. Whether you’re craving a classic mayo-based chicken salad or something with a bit more pizzazz like cranberry walnut, I’ve got you covered with this comprehensive guide to finding awesome chicken salad near you.
Why I’m Obsessed With Chicken Salad (And Why You Might Be Too)
I gotta admit, chicken salad has become my go-to lunch option. It’s:
- Quick and ready-to-eat
- Packed with protein
- Versatile (eat it alone, on a sandwich, or with crackers)
- Available in tons of different flavors
- Perfect for meal prep
But the struggle to find good chicken salad is REAL. Sometimes I want delivery sometimes I want to grab it while grocery shopping, and sometimes I just wanna sit down at a restaurant and enjoy a fresh chicken salad sandwich. So I’ve put together all the options I’ve discovered to help you satisfy your chicken salad cravings!
Chicken Salad Delivery Options Near You
Let’s face it – sometimes we just don’t wanna leave the house. Here’s how to get delicious chicken salad delivered right to your doorstep:
Instacart: Grocery Delivery With All the Chicken Salad Options
Instacart is my personal fave when I want variety They deliver from local stores near you, and their chicken salad selection is pretty impressive! Here’s what you can typically find
Popular Brands Available on Instacart
- Reser’s Fine Foods (they have a yummy White Meat Chicken Salad)
- Park Street Deli (offers Classic and Cranberry Almond varieties)
- Willow Tree (known for Premium White Meat options)
- Häns Kissle
- Store Brand options
What I love about Instacart is that they offer both single-serving options and family-sized containers. The Park Street Deli Singles are perfect when I just want lunch for myself, while the larger containers are great for family gatherings.
How Instacart Delivery Works:
- Download the Instacart app or visit their website
- Enter your location
- Browse through the “Deli” section and find “Prepared Deli Salads” > “Chicken Salad”
- Choose your favorites and checkout
- Get your delivery in as little as 1 hour!
The delivery fees start around $3.99 for same-day orders over $35, and you can even schedule your delivery for a time that works best for you. Plus, you can give specific instructions if you’re picky about which brand you want.
Dedicated Chicken Salad Restaurants
Did you know there are actually restaurants dedicated entirely to chicken salad? Mind blown, right?
Chicken Salad Chick
This place is a MUST-TRY if you’re a chicken salad lover. Based on the Yelp data, there are Chicken Salad Chick locations in Fairfax and Pimmit, VA. They specialize in Southern-style chicken salad with multiple flavor options. Some locations even offer online ordering so you can skip the line!
What makes Chicken Salad Chick special is that they offer a dozen or more different chicken salad flavors – from traditional to spicy to sweet to savory. My personal recommendation? Try their cranberry-pecan version if you like a little sweetness in your chicken salad.
Local Delis and Sandwich Shops With Great Chicken Salad
Some of the best chicken salad I’ve found has been at local sandwich shops and delis. Based on the Yelp data, here are some highly-rated options:
The Sandwich Shop (Vienna, VA)
With over 300 reviews, this place seems to be a local favorite! They offer made-to-order sandwiches where you can get freshly made chicken salad.
McAlister’s Deli (Ashburn, VA)
They have a solid chicken salad sandwich that comes with their signature chicken salad on your choice of bread.
South Street Under (Leesburg, VA)
This bakery/deli combo has over 300 reviews and is known for their tasty sandwiches, including chicken salad options.
Wine’ing Butcher (Ashburn, VA)
With over 230 reviews, this American food/meat shop likely offers some fantastic chicken salad options.
Grocery Stores With Great Prepared Chicken Salad
If you prefer to grab and go, many grocery stores offer premade chicken salad in their deli section. Here are some options I’ve found based on the available data:
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Publix Deli – They offer several varieties including Classic Chicken Breast, Savory Tarragon Chicken Breast, and Chunky White Chicken Breast salads.
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Whole Foods – Their prepared foods section usually has at least 2-3 varieties of chicken salad.
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Local specialty markets – Places like Bianchini’s Market often have their own house-made versions.
Make Your Own Chicken Salad with Delivery Ingredients
Sometimes the best chicken salad is the one you make yourself! If you’re feeling a bit creative, you can order all the ingredients through Instacart and make your own signature chicken salad at home.
Basic Chicken Salad Recipe:
- Rotisserie chicken (easy to find on Instacart)
- Mayonnaise
- Celery
- Salt and pepper
- Add-ins like dried cranberries, pecans, grapes, or curry powder
The beauty of making your own is that you can customize it exactly how you like it!
How to Choose the Best Chicken Salad
Not all chicken salads are created equal! Here’s what I look for when choosing the perfect chicken salad:
- Chicken quality – Is it all white meat? Is it chunky or finely shredded?
- Moisture level – Too dry is sad, too wet is gross
- Add-ins – Classic with just celery? Or fancy with nuts and fruits?
- Nutrition considerations – Many stores now offer gluten-free options
Based on the Instacart data, if you’re looking for specific dietary needs, you can filter for options like:
- Organic chicken salad
- Kosher chicken salad
- Gluten-free chicken salad
- Sugar-free options
The Best Ways to Enjoy Your Chicken Salad
Once you’ve secured your perfect chicken salad, here’s how I like to enjoy it:
- On a croissant (my personal fave!)
- Stuffed in a tomato
- With crackers as a snack
- In a wrap with lettuce and tomato
- On a bed of greens for a lower-carb option
- Straight out of the container with a fork (let’s be real, we’ve all done this)
FAQs About Finding Chicken Salad Near You
How long does store-bought chicken salad last?
Most store-bought chicken salads will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Always check the use-by date on the package!
Can I freeze chicken salad?
I wouldn’t recommend it. The mayo tends to separate when thawed, giving it a weird texture.
What’s the difference between “chicken salad” and “chicken salad sandwich”?
Chicken salad is just the mixture itself, while a chicken salad sandwich is (you guessed it) the chicken salad served between bread.
Is chicken salad healthy?
It depends on the recipe! Traditional mayo-based chicken salads can be high in calories, but many stores now offer lighter versions made with Greek yogurt or light mayo.
My Personal Top 5 Chicken Salad Picks
After much “research” (aka eating lots of chicken salad), here are my top recommendations:
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Willow Tree Premium White Meat Chicken Salad, Cranberry Walnut – The perfect balance of sweet and savory with high-quality chicken chunks.
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Park Street Deli Classic Chicken Salad – A reliable option that’s widely available and consistently good.
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Chicken Salad Chick’s Classic Carol – If you have one nearby, this is the benchmark for great chicken salad.
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Häns Kissle Chicken Salad with White Meat Chicken – Chunky and flavorful without being overly dressed.
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Homemade – I gotta be honest, sometimes the best chicken salad is the one you make yourself with a rotisserie chicken and your favorite add-ins!
Final Thoughts
Finding great chicken salad near you doesn’t have to be difficult! Between delivery services like Instacart, dedicated chicken salad restaurants, local delis, and grocery stores, you’ve got plenty of options to satisfy your craving.
And if I missed any amazing chicken salad spots, please share them with our community. We’re all in this chicken salad journey together!
Until next time, happy chicken salad hunting!
P.S. I wrote this guide after trying WAY too many chicken salads in one week. My family thinks I’m obsessed, but I prefer to call it “dedicated research.” Either way, my chicken salad standards are now ridiculously high, and I regret nothing.
