Let’s face it – chicken salad without pickles is like a sandwich without bread. Sure, you could eat it, but why would you want to? As a long-time pickle enthusiast (yes, I’m that person who drinks pickle juice straight from the jar.. don’t judge!), I’ve experimented with pretty much every pickle variety in my chicken salad adventures
If you’re wondering what kind of pickles go best in chicken salad, you’ve come to the right place! I’m gonna share all my pickle wisdom so your chicken salad can reach its full potential
Dill Pickles: The Classic Choice
When it comes to chicken salad, dill pickles reign supreme. There’s something about that tangy, herby flavor that perfectly complements the creamy chicken mixture. Almost every chicken salad recipe that includes pickles specifically calls for dill pickles, and for good reason!
Dill pickles provide:
- A tangy, briny kick that cuts through the richness of mayo
- A satisfying crunch factor
- A savory herb flavor from the dill
- That classic pickle taste we all know and love
Most recipes recommend dicing the dill pickles into small pieces so you get that pickle flavor in every bite. And don’t throw away the pickle juice! Many recipes actually call for adding a tablespoon or two of pickle juice directly into the chicken salad for an extra flavor boost.
Spicing Things Up: Wickles and Other Spicy Pickles
Want to take your chicken salad to the next level? Try using spicy pickles! Wickles Pickles, specifically their Wicked Pickle Chips, are mentioned in one recipe as the absolute best choice for adding a mild heat to chicken salad.
According to the recipe developer: “I like a tiny bit of heat in this chicken salad, and these mildly spicy pickles deliver exactly that. They stay crunchy through dicing and, when combined with the pickle juice, offer the perfect amount of flavor and bite.”
Other spicy pickle brands will work too, but the combination of sweetness, tanginess, and spiciness makes Wickles a standout option if you can find them.
Other Pickle Options to Consider
While dill pickles are the go-to, there are other pickle varieties worth considering:
Bread and Butter Pickles: These sweeter pickles can work if you prefer a chicken salad with a hint of sweetness. They’re not mentioned in our main recipes, but could be an interesting variation if you like a sweet-savory combination.
Claussen or Grillo’s Pickles: These refrigerated pickle brands are specifically recommended as alternatives to Wickles in one recipe. They tend to be crunchier and more flavorful than shelf-stable varieties.
Pickle Relish: In a pinch, pickle relish can work instead of chopped pickles. One recipe mentions that about 1/2 cup of relish equals 2 dill pickles. However, if using relish, you might want to skip adding extra salt since relish tends to be saltier.
The Triple Threat: Pickles + Fresh Dill + Pickle Juice
Wanna know the secret to AMAZING pickle chicken salad? Use the triple threat approach:
- Diced dill pickles for texture and flavor
- Fresh dill herbs for brightness and color
- A splash of pickle juice from the jar
As one recipe describes it: “This dill-icious recipe packs a triple punch of dill – dill pickles, fresh dill, AND dill pickle juice from the jar. It might sound like a lot of dill (never!), but the other veggies and creamy ingredients help create the perfect balance of flavors.”
My Perfect Pickle Chicken Salad Recipe
After studying numerous recipes and testing them in my kitchen, here’s my ultimate pickle chicken salad formula:
Ingredients:
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- 3/4 cup diced dill pickles (about 2 large pickles)
- 2-3 tablespoons pickle juice
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup Greek yogurt (makes it creamy but lighter)
- 2-3 stalks celery, diced
- 1/4 small red onion, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Mix everything in a big bowl. Seriously, that’s it!
- Let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour (overnight is even better)
- Serve on croissants, in lettuce wraps, with crackers, or straight from the bowl with a fork (I won’t tell anyone)
Tips from the Pickle Pros
After reading through multiple pickle chicken salad recipes, here are some expert tips I’ve gathered:
Chop your chicken finely: Several recipes recommend not just shredding but also chopping your chicken into smaller pieces. This gives more surface area for the flavors to absorb and creates the perfect texture.
Don’t skimp on the pickle juice: That brine is liquid gold! Adding a couple tablespoons directly from the jar adds tons of flavor.
Balance is key: If you’re worried about too much pickle flavor, start with less and add more to taste. You can always add more, but you can’t take it out!
Make ahead for best flavor: Like most salads, pickle chicken salad tastes even better after it’s had time to sit in the fridge and let all the flavors mingle. One day ahead is perfect.
Serving Suggestions
Your pickle-loaded chicken salad will taste amazing served:
- On a buttery croissant (the slight sweetness balances the tangy pickles perfectly)
- In lettuce wraps for a low-carb option
- With cucumber slices and carrot sticks for dipping
- On crackers as an appetizer
- In a wrap with extra greens
- Straight from the container at 3am (we’ve all been there)
The Great Pickle Debate: Sweet vs. Dill
While dill pickles are the overwhelming favorite for chicken salad, some people do prefer sweet pickles. As one commenter noted on a recipe: “I’ve never made chicken salad without adding pickles. Never used dill, always homemade sweet pickles, and a little of the sweet pickle juice too.”
It really comes down to personal preference. If you have a serious sweet tooth, sweet pickles might be your jam. But for most folks, the tangy zip of dill pickles just works better with the other savory ingredients.
At the end of the day, the best pickle for your chicken salad is the one YOU enjoy most. Dill pickles are the traditional choice and work beautifully, but don’t be afraid to experiment with spicy varieties or even sweet pickles if that’s your preference.
The most important thing is to embrace the pickle in all its briny glory – use the pickles, use the juice, and maybe even add some fresh dill for good measure. Your taste buds will thank you!
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go make some pickle chicken salad. All this writing has made me hungry!
How to Make Chicken Salad | Chicken Salad Recipe | Lunch Ideas | Canned Chicken Recipes
FAQ
Does chicken salad go with pickles?
While we absolutely adore chicken salad with grapes and other sweeter chicken salad recipes, sometimes I just crave it with pickles. There is just something about the dill flavor and the crunch from the pickles that I love! This recipe is also great for serving when entertaining. Simple and delicious, it always seems to go quickly.
How do you make chicken salad with pickles?
Here’s my Chicken Salad with Pickles recipe. I hope you enjoy it! Chicken Salad with Pickles makes a delicious meal throughout the year. Perfect for a light lunch or supper and for entertaining. Stir together chicken, mayonnaise, pickles and onions. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or serve immediately.
What can I add to a pickle salad?
Sweet Relish: Then, I used sweet relish to add a touch of sweetness. The pairing works well. Scallions: Finely chopped scallions will add a mild onion flavor to the salad. Dill: Fresh dill will give some brightness and compliment the pickle flavor. Garlic Powder: You will add a bit of garlic powder to help enhance the flavor.
What goes well with dill pickles & chicken?
Sweet relish: I love the touch of sweetness the relish brings to the compliment the tangy dill pickles and savory chicken. For the dressing: You’ll need low-fat mayo, non-fat Greek yogurt, red wine vinegar, mustard and salt and pepper.
Can you make a chicken salad buffet with pickles?
It’s fun to create a chicken salad buffet even with a few varieties of chicken salad and then have all of the elements that anyone could want to enjoy it – like the salad green, sandwich breads, tortilla wraps, and crackers. It’s fun to see how everyone prepares their own! Here’s my Chicken Salad with Pickles recipe. I hope you enjoy it!
What kind of chicken do you put in a salad?
Chicken: You can use rotisserie chicken or any pre-cooked diced chicken. Eggs: The eggs will add flavor and protein to the salad! Celery: Fresh and crunchy celery adds a lovely lightness to the salad.
What pickles for chicken salad?
I like to use my favorite full-sour pickles, but you can use any style that you like, from dill to bread and butter. I often use Japanese-style Kewpie mayo in this salad, but you use regular store-bought or homemade mayo. I’ve used our homemade herb salt here for extra flavor, but you can use regular salt instead.
What kind of pickles do you put on a chicken sandwich?
Pickles: I love Claussen kosher dill pickles and in my opinion, nothing else compares. However, if you have a different brand of dill pickles on hand, definitely use what you have!
Do you use sweet relish or dill relish in chicken salad?
We love the addition of the sweet pickle relish because the sweetness and tang balances so well against the creamy richness of the mayonnaise. This recipe is perfect when you have leftover roast chicken or just want to use up that Costco rotisserie chicken meat. It even works with packaged or canned chicken.
What ingredients do you put in chicken salad?
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.