This tasty and creamy gluten-free chicken salad is perfect for summer potlucks, picnics in the park, and making chicken salad sandwiches. Everyone is going to enjoy this. Ready in just 20 minutes, this chicken salad recipe is totally dairy-free too.

Jump to:
- What is Chicken Salad?
- Why This Recipe Works:
- Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Recipe Notes + Substitutions:
- How to Make Gluten-Free Chicken Salad (Step by Step):
- Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- Recipe FAQs:
- Other Gluten-Free Salad Recipes You’ll Enjoy:
- Other Gluten-Free Chicken Recipes to Make:
- Gluten-Free Chicken Salad (Dairy-Free)
What is Chicken Salad?
Chicken salad literally refers to any salad in which chicken is the key ingredient.
In this case, we’re referring to the chicken salad that’s common in Canada and the United States, where chopped cooked chicken is mixed with a binder such as mayonnaise, cream cheese, or a creamy salad dressing.
Other common ingredients you’ll find in the North American version of chicken salad often include raw celery, salt, pepper, and sometimes grapes.
Chicken salad can be served and eaten either on top lettuce leaves, with tomatoes and avocado, or it can be used as the filling for chicken salad sandwiches.
Why This Recipe Works:
- Simple Ingredients: The ingredients required for this gluten-free chicken salad recipe are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
- Easy to Make: If you have leftover cooked chicken, or store-bought rotisserie chicken, this recipe comes together in just 20 minutes – all you need to do is chop, dice and mix!
- Totally Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: The best part is that this delicious chicken salad recipe is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances are able to enjoy it without issues!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for this easy gluten-free chicken salad recipe.
(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)
Recipe Notes + Substitutions:
- Chicken: I used boiled skinless boneless chicken breast and cut the chicken meat into cubes. Alternatively, you may also use shredded boiled chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken if you prefer.
- Grapes: I like using red grapes for contrast in color. Alternatively, you may also use green grapes. Seedless grapes makes eating easier, but if you don’t mind the seeds, feel free to use normal grapes instead. Alternatively, if you aren’t keen on grapes, you can use dried cranberries for sweetness instead.
- Celery: Diced crisp celery adds a refreshing crunch and taste to the chicken salad.
- Sliced Almonds: Adding sliced almonds adds extra contrast in texture to the creamy chicken salad. Alternatively, you may swap out the almonds for other nuts (such as chopped walnuts, cashew nuts, or pistachio nuts).
- Green Onions: Chopped green onions add a fresh savory taste to the salad. Alternatively, you may also use chopped fresh chives or chopped red onion if you prefer.
- Mayonnaise: I used mayonnaise as a dairy-free binder in this chicken salad. Alternatively, you can also use vegan mayonnaise if you wish to keep the recipe egg-free. If you are not lactose-intolerant, feel free to use cream cheese or Greek yogurt if you prefer.
- Mustard: I like using Dijon mustard, but yellow mustard or honey mustard will work just as well.
- Lemon Juice: Make sure to add the lemon juice for a refreshing and tart citrus taste. Fresh lemon juice is best, but if you don’t have fresh, bottled lemon juice will work too. You can also use apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar if you prefer.
- Ground Black Pepper: I like adding a sprinkle of ground black pepper for a little kick of spice. However, if you rather not have the heat, feel free to leave it out.
How to Make Gluten-Free Chicken Salad (Step by Step):
1. Combine Ingredients
In a large bowl, mix the cubed cooked chicken, grapes, diced celery, sliced almonds and chopped green onions.
(You may leave some of the sliced almond and green onion can be left to garnish the salad before serving).
2. Prepare Salad Dressing
Whisk the mayonnaise, mustard and lemon juice together in a small bowl.
3. Season with Salt and Pepper
Pour dressing into the salad bowl, season with salt and pepper.
4. Mix to Combine
Thoroughly mix the salad with the dressing and salt and pepper until all the ingredients are well coated with the salad dressing.
5. Serve and Enjoy!
Serve the gluten-free chicken salad immediately, either alone, as lettuce wraps, or as a sandwich.
Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- Use Rotisserie Chicken: This recipe calls for boiled chicken breasts, but if you rather not spend time cooking the chicken, you can use store-bought rotisserie chicken too!
- Make Lettuce Wraps: Serving this chicken salad on its own on top of lettuce cups is a great way to enjoy it as an appetizer or a side dish.
- Make Chicken Salad Sandwich or Sliders: This favorite chicken salad recipe also works great with sandwiches. Simply use your favorite gluten-free bread, then add a few leaves of romaine lettuce or butter lettuce to the sandwich on top of the chicken salad and you’ve got a quick meal ready in no time!
- Optional Garnishes: You can also add some fresh herbs (such as fresh dill, fresh parsley, fresh rosemary or fresh cilantro) to this easy chicken salad recipe for a pop of green!
Recipe FAQs:
To store, place any leftover chicken salad in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Other Gluten-Free Salad Recipes You’ll Enjoy:
Other Gluten-Free Chicken Recipes to Make:
P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!
PrintGluten-Free Chicken Salad (Dairy-Free)
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This tasty and creamy gluten-free chicken salad is perfect for summer potlucks, picnics in the park, and making chicken salad sandwiches. Everyone is going to enjoy this. Ready in just 20 minutes, this chicken salad recipe is totally dairy-free too.
Ingredients
- 1 boneless chicken breast (approx 6 oz.), boiled and cubed
- 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved
- 2 stalks raw celery, diced (approx. 1/2 cup)
- 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, mix the cubed cooked chicken, grapes, diced celery, sliced almonds and chopped green onions). (You may leave some of the sliced almond and green onions can be left to garnish the salad before serving).
- Prepare Salad Dressing: Whisk the mayonnaise, mustard and lemon juice together.
- Season with Salt and Pepper: Pour dressing into the salad bowl, season with salt and pepper.
- Mix to Combine: Thoroughly mix the salad with the dressing and salt and pepper and serve immediately either alone or as a sandwich.
Notes
Chicken: I used boiled skinless boneless chicken breast and cut the chicken meat into cubes. Alternatively, you may also use shredded boiled chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken if you prefer.
Grapes: I like using red grapes for contrast in color. Alternatively, you may also use green grapes. Seedless grapes makes eating easier, but if you don’t mind the seeds, feel free to use normal grapes instead.
Celery: Diced celery adds a refreshing crunch and taste to the chicken salad.
Sliced Almonds: Adding sliced almonds adds extra contrast in texture to the creamy chicken salad. Alternatively, you may swap out the almonds for other nuts (such as chopped walnuts, cashew nuts, or pistachio nuts).
Green Onions: Chopped green onions add a fresh savory taste to the salad. Alternatively, you may also use chopped fresh chives if you prefer.
Mayonnaise: I used mayonnaise as a dairy-free binder in this chicken salad. Alternatively, you can also use vegan mayonnaise if you wish to keep the recipe egg-free. If you are not lactose-intolerant, feel free to use cream cheese if you prefer.
Mustard: I like using Dijon mustard, but yellow mustard or honey mustard will work just as well.
Lemon Juice: Make sure to add the lemon juice for a refreshing and tart citrus taste. Fresh lemon juice is best, but if you don’t have fresh, bottled lemon juice will work too.
Ground Black Pepper: I like adding a sprinkle of ground black pepper for a little kick of spice. However, if you rather not have the heat, feel free to leave it out.
Storing: To store, place any leftover gluten-free chicken salad in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salads
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: gluten-free chicken salad
Good day Felicia!
For my chicken salad, I like to substitute chicken breast with chicken thigh which is much juicier and super yummy!
Cheers!
Mum
★★★★★
I knew you were going to say that! I find chicken thigh tastier too, but maybe chicken breast is slightly healthier 😉