Trader Joe’s Chicken Salad Copycat Recipe
This Trader Joe’s Chicken Salad Copycat Recipe is a quick and easy dish that perfectly mimics the sweet, tangy, and crunchy flavors of the beloved store-bought version. Combining tender cooked chicken with celery, dried cranberries, pecans, and a creamy poppy seed dressing, it’s a delightful and refreshing salad ideal for sandwiches, wraps, or a light meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (if poaching chicken)
- Total Time: 20 minutes (or 40 minutes including chilling time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Mix-ins
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped (rotisserie chicken recommended for convenience)
- 1/3 cup celery, finely diced
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup pecans, chopped and lightly toasted
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (use a good-quality brand)
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp poppy seeds
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp white pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: If cooking from raw, poach chicken breasts in broth until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, about 10 minutes. Let cool, then shred or chop into bite-sized pieces. Using rotisserie chicken skips this step.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, apple cider vinegar, poppy seeds, sugar, salt, and white pepper until smooth and well blended to create the signature sweet and tangy dressing.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, toss together the shredded chicken, celery, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans until evenly mixed. Perform a quick taste test for seasoning.
- Mix Salad with Dressing: Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and gently fold until everything is fully coated, taking care not to break up the chicken pieces.
- Chill Before Serving: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. Serve cold on bread, in lettuce wraps, or with crackers as desired.
Notes
- Using rotisserie chicken drastically reduces prep time.
- Lightly toasting the pecans enhances their flavor and adds depth to the salad.
- Adjust sugar quantity based on your preferred sweetness level.
- Allowing the salad to chill for at least 30 minutes improves flavor integration.
- White pepper keeps the dressing visually clean and adds a milder heat compared to black pepper.
Keywords: Trader Joe's chicken salad, chicken salad recipe, easy chicken salad, copycat recipe, chicken salad with cranberries, creamy chicken salad, poppy seed dressing
Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/trader-joes-chicken-salad-copycat-recipe/
