Honey Pecan Rotisserie Chicken Salad

This Honey Pecan Rotisserie Chicken Salad is quick, easy, and full of flavor. It’s one of my go-to recipes that I’ve been making for over 20 years—and it never gets old.

Chicken salad is such a refreshing dish, especially during the warmer months. I often keep a bowl in the refrigerator for easy lunches, and it’s always a favorite at showers, parties, and family gatherings.

Using rotisserie chicken makes this recipe even easier. It is inexpensive, and I buy mine at Sam’s Club for $4.99.  I like to prepare it while the chicken is still slightly warm—it helps the flavors blend together beautifully.

HOW TO MAKE HONEY PECAN ROTISSERIE CHICKEN SALAD:

INGREDIENTS:

• mayonnaise
• sweet relish
• diced onion
• honey
• sugar
• kosher salt
• coarse black pepper
• celery
• pecans
• rotisserie chicken breast, chopped– This can be chopped to whatever size you like it from chunky to very small. 

INSTRUCTIONS

• In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, relish, onion, honey, sugar, pecans, and celery.
• Stir until well mixed.
• Add the chopped chicken and stir until evenly coated.
• Cover and chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

7 Ways to Serve This Chicken Salad

• Serve with crackers for a quick snack
• Spoon into tomato wedges for a fresh option
• Roll up in leaf lettuce for a low-carb choice
• Wrap in a tortilla (my husband’s favorite!)
• Make sliders for lunch or parties
• Serve on croissants for a classic sandwich
• Create a chicken salad fruit plate (my personal favorite for summer lunches)

For a quick snack, just serve it on crackers.

Cut a ripe tomato into wedges and fill it with the chicken salad.

Place some in a piece of leaf lettuce and roll up.

My husband’s favorite way is as a wrap.

It makes a great slider for lunch.

Yummy on a croissant bun.

My favorite way, personally, is to make a chicken salad-fruit plate.  You can use any fruit that you have available and it is a perfect for a summertime lunch or light supper.

I hope you enjoy this salad.
You may also like Protein Packed Pasta Salad. This one is perfect for summer as a lunch or light dinner. Some other light summer meal ns are Super Chef Salad on a Board and Easy Meals Served on a Board.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• It is so easy to make, I use rotisserie chicken, but any leftover chicken will work.
• This chicken salad is so refreshing to serve in warmer weather.
• There are so many ways to serve it, on crackers, in a salad, sandwiches, on a fruit plate, or in a wrap.
• It is perfect to serve for so many occasions. Baby or bridal showers, poolside treat, light lunches, any party. 

Recipe Tips, Variations and Storage

• The chicken can be chopped at any size, depending on how you are using it. To get it finer, pulse at short intervals in a food processor.
• The flavors will blend better if the chicken is still slightly warm when making this chicken salad.
• Some ingredients people also like to add are grape halves, dill, red onion, or pickles.

Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days total. Do not leave setting out for longer than 2 hours (1 hour if temperature is over 90 degrees).

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if my chicken salad has gone bad?
According to Food Safety.gov:
Color changes: If the chicken or vegetables look gray, brown, or develop a greenish or yellowish cast, it’s likely spoiled.
Texture changes: Slimy or mushy chicken salad is a sign that it’s gone bad.
Bad smell: If it smells sour, off, or otherwise unpleasant, it’s best to throw it away.
Taste changes: If it tastes sour or has an off flavor, don’t risk eating it. 

Can I freeze chicken salad?
No, freezing is not recommended. The mayonnaise can separate, and the texture becomes watery.

Print Pin

HONEY PECAN ROTISSERE CHICKEN SALAD

Rotisserie chicken, mayo, relish, celery, onion, pecans and honey make this delicious chicken salad. Perfect to serve on a cold plate in the summer. So many ways to serve this.

Course Main Course, Salad, Sandwiches/Burgers

Cuisine American

Keyword Rotisserie Chicken Salad, Chicken Salad with Honey, Chicken Salad Plate

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 400kcal

Author pamelashank2015

Ingredients

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 3/4 cup sweet relish
• 2 Tablespoons diced onion
• 2 Tablespoons honey
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse black pepper
• 3/4 cup celery chopped
• 1/2 cup pecans chopped
• 3 cups rotisserie chicken breast chopped

Instructions

• Place all of the ingredients except chicken into a large bowl. Stir to combine.
• Fold in the chicken and toss to coat all of the chicken. Chill at least 2 hours.
• **I like to combine all ingredients while chicken is still warm for better flavor.
• The amount of chicken you get may vary due to size of rotisserie chicken, so if you have a little more or less, it will work fine.

Notes

NUTRITIONAL DISCLAIMER. Calorie count provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Recipe Tips, Variations and Storage

• The chicken can be chopped at any size, depending on how you are using it. To get it finer, pulse at short intervals in a food processor.
• The flavors will blend better if the chicken is still slightly warm when making this chicken salad.
• Some ingredients people also like to add are grape halves, dill, red onion, or pickles.

Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days total. Do not leave setting out for longer than 2 hours (1 hour if temperature is over 90 degrees).

This post was shared on Weekend Potluck @ Sweet Little Bluebird.