This everything bagel chicken salad gives a playful, flavorful twist to classic chicken salad. Cool, creamy, and crunchy, it’s ideal for picnics, pool parties, baby showers, or an easy weeknight meal for the whole family.
Everything bagel seasoning—made from poppy seeds, toasted sesame, dried onion, dried garlic, and sea salt—lends a savory crunch that brightens this chicken salad. You can buy it at most grocery stores or make your own at home.
Reasons to Love This Everything Bagel Chicken Salad
- Simple recipe with clean, easy-to-find ingredients.
- Great for meal prep—keeps well in the fridge.
- Use baked chicken breasts or a rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Familiar chicken salad with an extra burst of flavor from everything bagel seasoning.
- Works for lunch, a light dinner, or as a party dip.
- High in protein (about 28–30 g per serving when using chicken and mayo).
Ingredients You Need
- Mayo: Use regular mayo, or substitute plain Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
- Dijon mustard: Adds brightness and depth.
- Lemon juice: Fresh lemon brings acidity to balance the mayo.
- Everything bagel seasoning: The star seasoning—use store-bought or homemade.
- Shredded chicken: Leftover roasted or rotisserie chicken works best. You can shred by hand, with a fork, or a mixer.
- Celery: Diced for crunch.
- Red onion: Finely diced for classic onion flavor; swap green onion if you prefer something milder.
- Grapes: Red grapes, quartered, add a touch of sweetness. Apples or raisins are good alternatives.
- To serve: Bread, lettuce cups, pita, or fresh vegetables.
How to Make Everything Bagel Chicken Salad
Quick overview—see the recipe card below for exact measurements.
- Combine the dressing: Whisk mayo, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice together with the everything bagel seasoning in a large bowl.
- Add the mix-ins: Fold in shredded chicken, diced celery, red onion, and quartered grapes.
- Taste and adjust: Add extra seasoning, salt, or more everything bagel seasoning to taste. Serve on bread, in lettuce cups, or with fresh veggies.
What to Serve with It
Serving ideas to make the most of this salad.
- Bagel chips, pita chips, or a platter of fresh chopped vegetables for dipping.
- As a sandwich—try it on a hearty bagel or your favorite bread.
- Stuffed into a pita or rolled into a wrap for portable lunches.
- On a bed of greens, in lettuce wraps, or on sweet potato toast for a lower-carb option.
- Garnish with a slice of tomato, parsley, and a crunchy pickle spear for a classic finish.
How to Store
This chicken salad is ideal for meal prep. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Divide into portions for easy lunches. If you prefer, freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge, though texture may change slightly after freezing.
More Delicious Lunch Ideas
- Grinder Salad
- Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
- BLT Pasta Salad
- Strawberry Quinoa Salad with Feta
- Kale Salad with Goat Cheese
Author’s Note
- Simple to assemble and easy to customize.
- Great for making ahead and taking on the go.
- Swap ingredients to suit your tastes—apples instead of grapes, yogurt instead of mayo, more or less seasoning.
FAQs
Yes. Canned chicken works in a pinch, though texture and flavor differ from freshly cooked or rotisserie chicken.
Use plain Greek yogurt or a half mayo/half yogurt blend to reduce calories while keeping creaminess.
Yes. Mix and store in airtight containers for up to 5 days. Add fresh toppings like herbs or extra seasoning just before serving.
Everything Bagel Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayo (or plain Greek yogurt)
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- Juice from 1/2 lemon (about 2 Tablespoons)
- 1 lb rotisserie chicken, cooked and shredded
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 1 cup red grapes, quartered
- 2 Tablespoons everything bagel seasoning, plus more for topping
- Bread, lettuce cups, or veggies for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mayo, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning.
- Add shredded rotisserie chicken, diced celery, red onion, and quartered grapes. Toss gently to coat everything in the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning—add a pinch of salt or a little extra seasoning if needed.
- Serve on your favorite bread, in lettuce cups, or with fresh vegetables.
Notes
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
Nutrition
Calories: 448kcal |
Carbohydrates: 17g |
Protein: 28g |
Fat: 27g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.