Are you craving a delicious chicken salad sandwich but not sure where to look? I’ve been there! Nothing hits the spot quite like the perfect blend of tender chicken, creamy dressing, and crunchy additions nestled between slices of fresh bread. Let me share my personal journey to find the best chicken salad sandwiches and help you satisfy that craving ASAP.
Why Chicken Salad Sandwiches Are So Darn Good
Before we dive into where to get them, let’s talk about why these sandwiches are worth hunting down. A good chicken salad sandwich combines protein, veggies, and carbs in one handheld package. It’s the perfect lunch option that’s both filling and refreshing at the same time!
The best part? Everyone makes them slightly different, which means there’s a chicken salad sandwich out there that’s perfect for YOUR taste preferences.
Best Places to Get a Chicken Salad Sandwich
1. Chicken Salad Chick
If you’re looking for a restaurant dedicated to the art of chicken salad, look no further than Chicken Salad Chick. These folks are literally chicken salad specialists! They offer multiple varieties of chicken salad each with its own unique flavor profile.
What makes Chicken Salad Chick special
- Dedicated to chicken salad (it’s in their name!)
- Multiple flavor options to suit different preferences
- Fresh ingredients prepared daily
- Option to have it as a sandwich or on its own
You can order in-store or get delivery through services like GrubHub and DoorDash Their menu features classic options as well as more adventurous flavors with nuts, fruits, and special seasonings
2. Local Delis and Cafés
Some of the best chicken salad sandwiches I’ve ever had came from small, local delis. These places often make their chicken salad fresh daily and use family recipes passed down through generations.
Check out:
- Independent sandwich shops
- Family-owned cafés
- Gourmet grocery stores with deli counters
- Farmers markets where local vendors sell prepared foods
The advantage of local spots is that they often use higher-quality ingredients and make everything fresh. Plus, you’re supporting small businesses!
3. Fast Casual Restaurant Chains
When you need something quick and reliable, several chain restaurants offer decent chicken salad sandwich options:
- Panera Bread
- Jason’s Deli
- McAlister’s Deli
- Subway
- Atlanta Bread Company
These places provide consistency and convenience, which is sometimes exactly what you need.
4. Delivery Services
Don’t feel like going out? No problem! Both GrubHub and DoorDash offer chicken salad sandwich delivery from various restaurants in your area.
To find options:
- Open the GrubHub or DoorDash app/website
- Search “chicken salad sandwich”
- Browse the available restaurants near you
- Check ratings and reviews to find the best option
- Place your order and wait for deliciousness to arrive!
The advantage here is you can compare options from different restaurants all in one place.
Make Your Own Amazing Chicken Salad Sandwich at Home
Sometimes the best chicken salad sandwich is the one you make yourself! It’s surprisingly easy and you can customize it exactly how you like.
Basic Chicken Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- ½ cup mayonnaise (adjust to taste)
- ¼ cup celery, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons red onion, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Bread of your choice
Instructions:
- Mix everything except the bread in a bowl
- Taste and adjust seasonings
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld
- Serve on your favorite bread with lettuce and tomato
Exciting Variations to Try
Want to get fancy? Try adding these ingredients to your basic recipe:
| Addition | Flavor Profile |
|---|---|
| Grapes & walnuts | Sweet and crunchy |
| Curry powder & raisins | Exotic and aromatic |
| Dill & lemon zest | Fresh and bright |
| Buffalo sauce & blue cheese | Spicy and tangy |
| Avocado & bacon | Rich and indulgent |
What Makes a Great Chicken Salad Sandwich?
After trying dozens of chicken salad sandwiches, I’ve figured out what separates the good from the great:
- The chicken: Should be moist and flavorful, not dry or stringy
- The binding: The right amount of mayo or other dressing is crucial – not too dry, not too wet
- The extras: Celery for crunch, maybe some grapes for sweetness, herbs for flavor
- The bread: Fresh bread that complements but doesn’t overpower the filling
- The balance: All components should work together harmoniously
Best Times to Enjoy a Chicken Salad Sandwich
There’s never really a wrong time for a chicken salad sandwich, but here are some prime occasions:
- Picnics (they travel well!)
- Work lunches (easy to pack)
- Brunch gatherings
- After-school snacks
- Late night cravings when you want something satisfying but not too heavy
How to Order the Perfect Chicken Salad Sandwich
When you’re at a restaurant or deli, don’t be afraid to ask questions! Here’s what to inquire about:
- Is the chicken salad made in-house?
- What’s in the chicken salad? (Some places add unexpected ingredients)
- What bread options are available?
- Can you customize it with additional toppings?
Why Chicken Salad Chick Stands Out
If you’re really serious about finding the best chicken salad sandwich, I gotta recommend Chicken Salad Chick again. This place has built their entire business around perfecting chicken salad!
They offer flavors like:
- Classic Carol (their traditional recipe)
- Fancy Nancy (with apples, grapes, and pecans)
- Kickin’ Kay Lynne (with buffalo sauce)
- Dixie Chick (with onions and bacon)
Plus, they serve it just how you want it – as a sandwich, on a bed of lettuce, or in a to-go container to enjoy at home.
Health Considerations and Options
Worried about calories? Many places now offer lighter versions of chicken salad sandwiches. Look for:
- Light mayo or yogurt-based dressings
- Whole grain bread options
- Extra veggies
- Grilled rather than fried chicken
A typical chicken salad sandwich can range from 400-700 calories depending on ingredients and portion size, so there’s definitely room to make healthier choices if that’s important to you.
My Personal Chicken Salad Sandwich Journey
I used to think all chicken salad sandwiches were pretty much the same until I went on a personal quest to find the best one in my area. I tried over 15 different places, from fancy cafés to gas station delis, and was amazed at how different they could be!
My favorite ended up being from a small local bakery that used rotisserie chicken, a touch of curry powder, and served it on their homemade sourdough bread. It was life-changing!
Final Thoughts: Finding Your Perfect Chicken Salad Sandwich
At the end of the day, the “best” chicken salad sandwich is subjective. Some people love chunks of apple and walnut in theirs, while others prefer a more traditional approach with just celery and mayo.
The good news is you have lots of options:
- Visit Chicken Salad Chick for variety
- Order delivery through GrubHub or DoorDash
- Try your local delis and cafés
- Make your own at home with exactly what you like
So what are you waiting for? That perfect chicken salad sandwich is out there just waiting for you to discover it! Whether you make it yourself or find it at a restaurant, I hope your chicken salad sandwich journey is as satisfying as mine has been.
Don’t be afraid to try different places and variations until you find “the one” – your perfect chicken salad sandwich soulmate is out there somewhere! And when you find it, you’ll never look at lunch the same way again.
Chicken Salad Sandwich Recipe
- ▢ 2 cups chicken cooked and shredded
- ▢ ⅔ cup mayonnaise
- ▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢ 1 cup grapes cut in half
- ▢ ½ cup cashews
- ▢ ½ cup celery chopped
- ▢ salt and pepper to taste
- ▢ Green leaf lettuce
- ▢ Bread of your choice – croissants pita pockets, tortilla wraps, sliced bread, rolls
- Add all the ingredients to a large bowl.
- Stir until combined.
- Spoon the chicken salad mixture onto croissants or bread of your choice and add a lettuce leaf.
We want to hear from you! Please leave a review.
Tips for Shredding Chicken
There are many different ways to shred chicken but my favorite is to use a mixer. You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer. Just put the chicken in a mixing bowl and mix on low until the chicken is completely shredded.
- Chicken – Since the chicken needs to be made ahead of time. This is a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken. If you need to make it ahead of time try using one of our favorite methods with the instant pot, or stovetop, or if you are out of time use a canned or rotisserie chicken.
- Grapes – We used red grapes, you are welcome to do a mixture of green and red grapes or only green grapes.
- Apple – We don’t have apples on the ingredient list but add a chopped apple instead of grapes for a different variation of chicken salad sandwich. It will also give a slightly different crunch!
- Nuts – Add an extra flavorful crunch with pecans, almonds, or walnuts in the chicken salad mixture. Make sure the nuts are chopped though. You can either chop them yourself or buy a bag of chopped nuts.
- Mayonnaise – If you don’t have mayonnaise try using sour cream or non-fat Greek yogurt. Both of these are great substitutes as well as give the thickness and flavor the chicken salad needs.
- Onion – Add a pretty red onion to the chicken salad sandwich! Either dice it into small pieces and add to the chicken salad mixture or slice it to assemble on the sandwich.
- Fruit – Try it with other types of fruit in the chicken salad mix! Dried cranberries are delicious as well as
- Low carb – Make it a low-carb option with lettuce wraps for the chicken salad.
New York Deli Chicken Salad Secrets – How To Make It The Best Way
FAQ
Does Chick-fil-A still make Chicken Salad sandwiches?
Chicken Salad was previously available on the menu at participating Chick-fil-A® restaurants nationwide. Even though it’s no longer on the menu, we’d like to offer the recipe so you can make it in your own kitchen. Learn how to make more of your favorite Chick-fil-A dishes by visiting our Recipes page.
Does Panera have a chicken salad sandwich?
Yes, Panera currently offers a Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwich as part of its cold sandwich menu, though it has previously discontinued and reintroduced different versions of chicken salad sandwiches. The Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwich contains chicken, cranberries, and walnuts with a special dressing on Country Rustic Sourdough.
Does Subway have a chicken salad sandwich?
Does Jersey Mike’s have a chicken salad sandwich?