Delicious Chicken Salad Without Celery: 10 Easy Ways to Make It Crunchy & Flavorful

Are you one of those people who can’t stand the stringy texture of celery but still craves a delicious chicken salad? Or maybe you just ran out of celery and need a quick alternative? You’re not alone! I’ve been making chicken salad without celery for years, and honestly, I don’t miss it one bit.

Celery might be a traditional ingredient in chicken salad, but as one Epicurious writer described it, eating celery is like “chomping on hundreds of pieces of thread dipped in dirty rainwater that mysteriously maintain their crunch.” Yikes! No wonder so many people prefer their chicken salad celery-free.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to make mouthwatering chicken salad without celery that still has that satisfying crunch and amazing flavor you crave

Why Make Chicken Salad Without Celery?

Before diving into recipes let’s understand why you might want to skip the celery

• Texture issues: Many people dislike celery’s stringy texture
• Taste preferences: Some find celery’s flavor overpowering
• Convenience: You might simply not have celery on hand
• Allergies: Some people have celery allergies or sensitivities

Whatever your reason. you’ll be happy to know there are plenty of ways to make chicken salad without sacrificing texture or flavor!

The Basic Chicken Salad Recipe (No Celery Needed)

Here’s my go-to basic chicken salad recipe that requires no celery but still delivers on taste:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1/3 cup finely diced red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
2. Add chicken, red bell pepper, and green onions to the bowl.
3. Mix until everything is evenly coated in the creamy dressing.
4. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
5. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.

This basic recipe is super versatile and makes a great starting point. Now let’s look at some tasty alternatives to celery to add that satisfying crunch!

Best Celery Substitutes for Chicken Salad

1. Red Bell Peppers

Red bell peppers are my favorite celery replacement. They add beautiful color, a sweet crunch, and tons of vitamin C. Dice them finely and they’ll distribute perfectly throughout your chicken salad.

2. Green Onions (Scallions)

Green onions add a mild oniony flavor and a bit of crunch without overpowering your chicken salad. Plus, they add nice color!

3. Apples

For a sweet-tart crunch, diced apples (especially Granny Smith or Honeycrisp) work wonderfully in chicken salad. They pair especially well with dried cranberries and nuts.

4. Cucumber

Peeled and seeded cucumber provides a refreshing crunch similar to celery but with a milder flavor. Just be sure to dice it small.

5. Radishes

For a peppery bite, finely diced radishes add great texture and a pop of color to your chicken salad.

6. Nuts

Toasted pecans, walnuts, almonds, or even pistachios add a different kind of crunch plus healthy fats and protein.

7. Water Chestnuts

Canned water chestnuts have an amazing crisp texture that holds up well in creamy dressings.

8. Carrots

Finely grated or diced carrots add subtle sweetness and color, plus lots of nutrients.

Chicken Options for Your Salad

The chicken is obviously the star of the show! Here are your best options:

Rotisserie Chicken: This is my personal favorite for convenience. Just shred or dice the meat from a store-bought rotisserie chicken. The flavor is amazing, and it saves so much time!

Poached Chicken Breasts: For a lighter option, poach boneless, skinless chicken breasts in water or broth with some salt and pepper.

Baked Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, bake at 375°F for about 25 minutes, then cool and dice.

Canned Chicken: In a pinch, canned chicken works too! Just drain it well before mixing with other ingredients.

Leftover Chicken: Got leftover chicken from another meal? Perfect! Chop it up and put it to good use.

Pro tip: Whatever cooking method you choose, make sure your chicken is COMPLETELY COOL before mixing with mayonnaise!

5 Delicious Chicken Salad Variations (All Without Celery!)

1. Fruity Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup red grapes, halved
• 1/3 cup diced apple
• 1/4 cup toasted pecans, chopped
• 2 tablespoons dried cranberries
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients and chill for at least 30 minutes. Serve on croissants for an extra-special treat!

2. Spicy Southwest Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 1/4 cup corn kernels
• 2 tablespoons red onion, finely diced
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (adjust to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

Mix all ingredients and serve in lettuce cups or tortilla wraps.

3. Mediterranean Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup cucumber, seeded and diced
• 1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 1/4 cup kalamata olives, chopped
• 2 tablespoons red onion, finely diced
• 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients and serve with pita bread or on a bed of greens.

4. Curry Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1-2 teaspoons curry powder (to taste)
• 1/4 cup golden raisins
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
• 2 tablespoons red onion, minced
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients and chill before serving. Perfect in a wrap or sandwich!

5. Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning
• 4 strips bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
• 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
• Black pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients and serve on rolls or with crackers for scooping.

Tips for the Best Chicken Salad (Without Celery)

1. Wait for the chicken to cool completely before mixing with mayo to prevent the dressing from breaking down.

2. Dice ingredients uniformly so you get a good mix of flavors and textures in each bite.

3. Start with less mayo than you think you need. You can always add more, but you can’t take it away once mixed in.

4. Season in layers – add salt and pepper to the chicken itself, then again to the final mixture.

5. Let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or overnight) for the best flavor development.

6. Taste before serving and adjust seasonings as needed.

How to Serve Chicken Salad

There are so many delicious ways to enjoy your celery-free chicken salad:

• Classic sandwich: Between two slices of bread (sourdough or whole grain are my faves)
• Croissant sandwich: For an extra-indulgent treat
• Lettuce wraps: For a low-carb option
• Stuffed in tomatoes: Hollow out large tomatoes for an elegant presentation
• Avocado boats: Spoon into halved avocados for a healthy fat boost
• With crackers: Serve as a dip with sturdy crackers
• On a bed of greens: For a light lunch salad

Storage Tips

Your chicken salad will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container. Just give it a good stir before serving as some liquid might separate.

I don’t recommend freezing chicken salad with mayonnaise as it tends to separate when thawed.

Final Thoughts

See? You really don’t need celery to make an amazing chicken salad! By using crisp alternatives like bell peppers, apples, or nuts, you can create a chicken salad with all the texture and none of the celery strings.

The best part about making chicken salad without celery is that you can customize it to your exact preferences. Don’t like red peppers? Try cucumbers instead! Want more protein? Add some hard-boiled eggs! The possibilities are endless.

I’d love to hear what celery substitutes you’ve tried in your chicken salad recipes. Drop a comment below to share your favorite variations!

Now go make yourself a delicious chicken salad sandwich – no celery required!

You can substitute a variety of crunchy fruits and vegetables for celery in chicken salad, such as diced apples, carrots, cucumber, bell peppers, or jicama to provide texture and sweetness. For a different flavor profile, try adding diced fennel, radishes, or broccoli stems.

A basic chicken salad includes cooked chicken, a binding agent like mayonnaise, and ingredients for flavor and texture such as celery, onion, and seasonings like salt and pepper. Beyond these staples, you can add a wide variety of ingredients, including fruits (apples, grapes, dried cranberries), nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts), herbs (dill, tarragon), and other vegetables (cucumbers, green onions), or even hard-boiled eggs.

Good substitutes for celery in potato salad, offering similar crunch and fresh flavor, include finely diced sweet bell peppers, jicama, fennel bulb, or cucumbers. You can also add other crispy elements like diced radishes, carrots, or chopped water chestnuts, or use finely chopped bok choy stems for a comparable texture.