Dill Pickle Chicken Salad hits all the right notes: tangy pickles, fresh herbs, and tender chicken in a creamy dressing.

Dill Pickle Chicken Salad served on a buttery croissant.
chelsea

authorโ€™s note

The Pickle Twist I Never Knew I Needed!!

My family has always been completely obsessed with pickles. I swear if I open a jar in the fridge, someone appears in the kitchen within seconds asking for one. My kids especially love anything pickle flavored like this pickle dip, so I started wondering what would happen if I combined that tangy flavor with one of my favorite lunches: chicken salad.

Chicken salad is already such a staple around my house because itโ€™s easy, quick, and everyone will actually eat it. But adding pickles completely transformed it.

The first time I made this Dill Pickle Chicken Salad, I added plenty of diced dill pickles, a little pickle relish for extra flavor, and lots of fresh herbs from my garden. The result was even better than I expected. It was creamy, bright, tangy, and packed with flavor in every bite.

My kids immediately claimed croissants as the best way to eat it, so thatโ€™s usually how I serve it now. But I also started scooping it onto cucumber slices for a quick snack or appetizer, and that might actually be my favorite way to enjoy it.

Itโ€™s fresh, flavorful, and one of those recipes that disappears fast.

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Prep the sauce ingredients for easy assembly: mayo, relish, mustard, lemon, and sour cream.

Dressing Ingredients

Hereโ€™s what youโ€™ll need for this Dill Pickle Chicken Salad Dressing:

  • Sour Cream: Makes the dressing creamy and a little tangy.
  • Mayo: Adds creaminess. Full-fat gives the best texture.
  • Garlic Powder: Adds a mild garlic flavor.
  • Lemon Juice: Adds brightness, cuts through the creaminess, and complements the pickles well.
  • Dijon Mustard: Gives a nice tangy kick.
  • Salt and Pepper: Adjust to taste; start light and add more as needed.
Prep all the dill pickle chicken salad ingredients for easy assembly: chicken, green onions, dill, parsley, pickles, and seasonings.

Dill Pickle Chicken Salad Ingredients

  • Rotisserie Chicken: Makes prep quick! Dice it small for easy mixing.
  • Dill Pickles: Adds a tangy crunch; make sure to dice pickles finely. These are my all-time favorite pickles! Use leftovers in this fried pickle dip.
  • Pickle Relish: Adds a bit of sweet flavor to balance the tang.
  • Green Onions: Adds mild onion flavor without being strong.
  • Parsley: Freshens up the salad. Or swap with basil like I use in this basil chicken salad.
  • Dill: Brings out the pickle flavor and adds freshness.
Toss the dressing and ingredients together in a bowl.

How To Make Dill Pickle Chicken Salad

  1. Dressing: In a bowl, mix sour cream, mayo, seasonings, lemon, and Dijon til smooth.
  2. Add The Rest: Add chicken, pickles, relish, onions, parsley, and dill to the dressing.
  3. Mix: Stir gently until everything is coated.
  4. Taste & Adjust: Add more salt or pepper if needed.
  5. Serve: Enjoy however you like.

Chelseaโ€™s Recipe Tip

My Favorite Ways To Eat Dill Pickle Chicken Salad

  • On Croissants: My kidโ€™s favorite choice, soft and buttery!
  • In Lettuce Wraps: Use romaine or butter lettuce for a low-carb option.
  • With Crackers: Perfect for snacking or as an appetizer.
  • Over Greens: Spoon over mixed greens or arugula for a salad.
  • On Cucumber Slices: Great for a bite-sized appetizer or snack.
  • In Avocado Halves: Scoop into halved avocados for a delicious, creamy combo.

Storage

  • Store leftover dill pickle chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for 3 to 4 days.
  • If the salad thickens after chilling, stir in a small spoonful of mayo or sour cream before serving.

More Chicken Salad Recipes:

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5 from 3 votes

Dill Pickle Chicken Salad

Dill Pickle Chicken Salad brings together tangy pickles, fresh herbs, and tender chicken in a creamy dressing.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Video

Equipment

Ingredients

Dressing
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 3/4 cup mayo
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1-1/2 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
  • Salt and Pepper
Chicken Salad
  • 3 cups diced rotisserie chicken
  • 1 cup finely diced pickles
  • 1/4 cup pickle relish
  • 1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill
For Serving
  • Serving suggestions see note 1

Instructionsย 

  • In a large bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients. Add salt and pepper to taste (I add 1/4 teaspoon each). Whisk until smooth.
  • Add all chicken salad ingredients to the bowl with the dressing. Gently stir until everything is well coated. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
  • Choose your favorite way to serve this chicken salad (see note 1).
Final step! Please let us know how it was by leaving a review.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: My favorite way to enjoy this chicken salad is on a croissant with a few pieces of lettuce. Here are some other options:
  • On a thick sliced cucumber with microgreens
  • On toasted bread
  • In lettuce wraps with butter or Romaine lettuce
  • Spooned into halved avocados
  • Over mixed greens or arugula
  • Straight from the bowl or with crackers
ย 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 582kcal | Carbohydrates: 10.2g | Protein: 31.4g | Fat: 45.7g | Cholesterol: 113.8mg | Sodium: 1419.9mg | Fiber: 0.9g | Sugar: 5.4g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron! Iโ€™m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. Iโ€™m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping byโ€”I hope you find something delicious to make!

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5 from 3 votes

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Recipe Rating




6 Comments

  1. D BECK says:

    5 stars
    This Recipe is excellent. I made it last year for my Christmas party and there was none left. Iโ€™ll be making it again this year. Awesome!!! Thanks.

    1. Chelsea says:

      So thrilled to hear this! Thanks D!

  2. Jilly says:

    5 stars
    Fabulous

    1. Chelsea says:

      So thrilled this was a hit! Thanks Jilly!

  3. Sue says:

    5 stars
    Delicious

    1. Chelsea says:

      So thrilled you enjoyed this! Thanks Sue!