Chicken salad is such a great lunchtime sandwich filling. Or cracker topper. Or snack to eat with a spoon. I love it.
I also love that there are so many ways to make it and change it up and have a completely different lunch even though it’s not really all that different. Now if only I could convince my kids that it’s good! I really don’t understand their dislike of chicken salad in their sandwiches. They all love chicken, they have no issues with mayo, or yogurt, or veggies, or any of the things I typically put in chicken salad. And yet they won’t touch it. Why? If only I could understand. But what kids like and don’t never does make sense does it? They’ll probably all wake up one day and realize that it’s wonderful!
Until that day though, I can keep making different variations of it for my husband and I. Because we both realize it’s one of the best ways to fill a sandwich for lunch!
One of our favourite variations of chicken salad is this curried chicken salad. I first discovered this recipe about ten years ago, and have since made many, many versions of it. This version is the one I make the most often, but it’s very easy to customize to what you have on hand. The only things that I always, always put in it are the chicken (obviously), chopped apple, and curry powder (again, rather obvious or it wouldn’t be curried).
But the rest kind of depends on what I have, because if I have leftover cooked chicken, curried chicken salad needs to be made for lunch the next day! Celery is great in it, if you don’t like radishes just omit them, same with the green onions. And if you don’t happen to have mango chutney around, it can be replaced with Dijon mustard for another great variation. That clearly won’t taste exactly the same, but it’s also really good, and then you don’t have to run out to get mango chutney just for chicken salad! If you have it, though, it really complements the curry well.
So….very customizable. But then, chicken salad generally is. So if you would like to try a new version, try this curried chicken salad for lunch. It’s amazing, and absolutely perfect stuffed into a pita with some crisp lettuce. You won’t be disappointed!
I also shared this Curried Chicken Salad recipe over on Food Fanatic, so make sure to check it out over there!
Love curried chicken salad! This looks divine and is the perfect summer food! Can’t wait to try this! 😀
Hands down better than any chicken salad sandwich I have ever made before. Totally need to test out your recipe.
Thanks Thalia, hope you like it!
I haven’t had chicken salad in a pita in ages!!! I love this and love the curried chicken salad!!
I love curried chicken salad! I can’t wait to try your recipe!
This is by far our favorite chicken salad recipe! We love it when there’s leftover chicken…we always mix it with curry! This looks delicious!
Leftover chicken is the best, so many options with it. But curried chicken salad is always one of our first choices too! Thanks Annie!
I love chicken salad too, and this is such a great variation on the classic. Can’t wait to try it!
Chicken salad is one of my favorite lunch items. Love the idea of adding curry to it! Great idea!
This looks delicious. My kids don’t like things mixed up like this even if they are OK with all the ingredients. Oh well. More for us! 🙂
Exactly! Glad it’s not just my kids! 🙂
This looks like the perfect lunch! Love a good chicken salad and the curry powder, mango chutney and greek yogurt sound amazing in here!
Curry and mango chutney just go so well together, we love it in chicken salad. And the greek yogurt is just for me cause I love to put it in everything! 🙂 Thanks Kelly!
Sounds and of course looks delicious! Love this salad! Heading over ti get the recipe! And the pita bread is such a great idea!
Looks like the perfect lunch to me and I love how you served it in the pita pockets!
The perfect warm weather lunch, if you ask me!
mango chutney in here sounds delicious!!
I love mango chutney in chicken salad. I’ve made it without when I don’t have any and it’s just not quite the same! Thanks Manali!
My husband and 3 year old would absolutely love this! Chicken salad is so great to have on hand in the fridge for a quick meal — and summer is all about quick meals!
Exactly! I love having it in the fridge, especially in the summer! Thanks Ashley!
I love chicken salad, too! It’s so versatile and makes a quick and delicious meal! I’m loving the idea of making a curried version, Stacey! Sounds so flavor. This definitely jazzes up the plain ‘ole chicken salad that I sometimes make!
Oh my curried chicken salad!! This sounds delicious! And your kids aren’t the only ones that don’t like certain foods. I could almost guarantee that my daughter wouldn’t eat any type of chicken salad. It’s so annoying some times. Hehe. So making this asap! Pinned!
SO annoying right?! Why don’t they like stuff that’s so good?! Oh well, what can you do – they ARE getting better about trying things at least! Thanks Cyndi!
Love the greek yogurt and mango chutney in this salad!
Curried chicken salad?! That sounds amazing, Stacey. I need to make this sometime soon; I bet hubs would devour it!