Chicken Salad Sandwiches | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #sandwiches are stuffed in #PitaPockets & garnished with mild pepper rings. Best #ChickenSalad ever! Every time we make these sandwiches they get rave reviews. #ChickenSaladSandwiches #Chicken #FavoriteChickenSaladRecipe

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Teresa Ambra

These homemade Chicken Salad Sandwiches are just awesome! I shred the chicken in my food processor. Then I add diced red bell pepper (never green), a little diced red onion, and celery. After that I mix it with sweet pickle relish and Miracle Whip. (Mayonnaise is more bland and isn’t nearly as tasty). Then I load the chicken salad into pita pockets and garnish them with mild salad pepper rings or pepperocinis. The outcome is spectacular.

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The idea for the pita pockets and salad pepper rings came from Monte’s Deli in Northborough, Massachuetts. We lived and worked nearby in the 1990s. Monte’s used to make their Chicken Salad Sandwiches this way. We adopted it in our own homemade chicken salad recipe. Chicken Salad is spectacular served this way. The mild salad pepper rings add the necessary zip and zest to this recipe to take it from good to sensational.

I started making this chicken salad recipe for catering events during the 1990s. It has been a hit wherever and to whomever I’ve served it. It just rocks! It has delicious crunch from the celery, bell pepper and salad pepper rings, and wonderful texture from the chicken.

Here are a few suggestions for success with this recipe. First of all, mayonnaise really doesn’t work as well as Miracle Whip. Miracle Whip has a lot more seasonings to bump up the flavor and the texture is smoother for this recipe. Don’t add so much Miracle Whip to the recipe that the chicken salad starts getting goopy. It needs to stick together well.

Really large boneless chicken breasts may need more Miracle Whip to get the recipe to mix well. In that case, go ahead and add more. You don’t have to be locked in to a 1/2 or 1 cup amount. I always eyeball this rather than measure exactly. Just try not to keep scooping Miracle Whip into the chicken mixture and add too much. Unless you want chicken salad oozing out of the sandwiches it needs to have body by NOT adding too much Miracle Whip!

Also, unless you just despise mild salad pepper rings, this chicken salad really tastes better with them rather than without. They not only add crunch but they also add a tasty zip that helps the chicken salad not be bland tasting. I’ve also used sliced pepperocinis to great effect.

While we have served this spread on sandwich bread, we’ve found it serves better in pita pockets, wraps, or on croissants. Another key is shredding the chicken in the food processor. You just can’t get the meat cut down small enough otherwise. This recipe doesn’t work well with the chicken in big chunks.

If you’re looking for a fantastic Chicken Salad Sandwich recipe, then I unreservedly recommend this recipe. It’s the BEST I’ve eaten and I’ve tried lots of chicken salad recipes. This is a great sandwich recipe for a tailgating party, baby showers or special occasion brunches. It’s also terrific to take on a picnic or for potlucks. It’s wonderful, sumptuous, A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!

Chicken Salad Sandwiches | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #sandwiches are stuffed in #PitaPockets & garnished with mild pepper rings. Best #ChickenSalad ever! Every time we make these sandwiches they get rave reviews. #ChickenSaladSandwiches #Chicken #FavoriteChickenSaladRecipe

Chicken Salad Sandwiches are awesome!

Chicken Salad Sandwiches | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #sandwiches are stuffed in #PitaPockets & garnished with mild pepper rings. Best #ChickenSalad ever! Every time we make these sandwiches they get rave reviews. #ChickenSaladSandwiches #Chicken #FavoriteChickenSaladRecipe

This close up shows the texture of Chicken Salad Sandwiches. I served these Chicken Salad “Sandwiches” in pita pockets garnished with sliced pepperocinis because I ran out of salad pepper rings.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #sandwiches are stuffed in #PitaPockets & garnished with mild pepper rings. Best #ChickenSalad ever! Every time we make these sandwiches they get rave reviews. #ChickenSaladSandwiches #Chicken #FavoriteChickenSaladRecipe

These sandwiches are sensational. Everyone who’s ever sampled our recipe just loves this version of Chicken Salad Sandwiches.

Here’s what I did.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #sandwiches are stuffed in #PitaPockets & garnished with mild pepper rings. Best #ChickenSalad ever! Every time we make these sandwiches they get rave reviews. #ChickenSaladSandwiches #Chicken #FavoriteChickenSaladRecipe

Cook off four boneless chicken breasts. Shred the meat in a food processor. You really need to shred the chicken very fine for this recipe to work well.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #sandwiches are stuffed in #PitaPockets & garnished with mild pepper rings. Best #ChickenSalad ever! Every time we make these sandwiches they get rave reviews. #ChickenSaladSandwiches #Chicken #FavoriteChickenSaladRecipe

Add celery, bell pepper, red onion, sweet pickle relish, salt, pepper, and sugar. 

Chicken Salad Sandwiches | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #sandwiches are stuffed in #PitaPockets & garnished with mild pepper rings. Best #ChickenSalad ever! Every time we make these sandwiches they get rave reviews. #ChickenSaladSandwiches #Chicken #FavoriteChickenSaladRecipe

Add Miracle Whip. Start with about a half cup then add more as necessary.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #sandwiches are stuffed in #PitaPockets & garnished with mild pepper rings. Best #ChickenSalad ever! Every time we make these sandwiches they get rave reviews. #ChickenSaladSandwiches #Chicken #FavoriteChickenSaladRecipe

Stir to combine.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #sandwiches are stuffed in #PitaPockets & garnished with mild pepper rings. Best #ChickenSalad ever! Every time we make these sandwiches they get rave reviews. #ChickenSaladSandwiches #Chicken #FavoriteChickenSaladRecipe

To serve: Spread Chicken Salad in wraps, pita pockets, croissants, or sandwich bread and garnish with mild pepper rings.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #sandwiches are stuffed in #PitaPockets & garnished with mild pepper rings. Best #ChickenSalad ever! Every time we make these sandwiches they get rave reviews. #ChickenSaladSandwiches #Chicken #FavoriteChickenSaladRecipe

Except for the chunks of celery, onion and bell pepper the rest of the chicken salad is smooth because the chicken is finely shredded. We love Chicken Salad served this way. The salad pepper rings add so much zest to the recipe.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #sandwiches are stuffed in #PitaPockets & garnished with mild pepper rings. Best #ChickenSalad ever! Every time we make these sandwiches they get rave reviews. #ChickenSaladSandwiches #Chicken #FavoriteChickenSaladRecipe

Chicken Salad Sandwiches are spectacular for tailgating parties especially with the Superbowl coming up. Guys have always liked this recipe.

Here’s the recipe.

CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICHES

(My own concoction)

Chicken Salad Sandwiches | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #sandwiches are stuffed in #PitaPockets & garnished with mild pepper rings. Best #ChickenSalad ever! Every time we make these sandwiches they get rave reviews. #ChickenSaladSandwiches #Chicken #FavoriteChickenSaladRecipe

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Teresa Ambra
Fabulous homemade chicken salad recipe with a nice crunch and a delicious, zesty flavor. This recipe is best served on croissants, in wraps or pita pockets and garnished with mild salad pepper rings. Excellent for tailgating parties, lunches and weekend suppers.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Sandwiches/Salads
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 125 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 food processor
  • 1 sharp knife to cut vegetables
  • 1 mixing bowl
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • measuring spoons
  • measuring cups

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups chicken cooked and shredded
  • 1/2 red bell pepper diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion diced
  • 2 ribs celery diced
  • 1/3 cup sweet pickle relish
  • 1 tsp. Salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 1/2 to 1 cup miracle whip
  • 1/2 cup mild salad pepper rings drained and patted dry

Instructions
 

  • Put cooked meat in food processor and shred.
  • Pour into mixing bowl.
  • Mix with red pepper, onion, celery, relish, salt and pepper and sugar.
  • Stir in Miracle Whip – start with about ½ cup and add until mixed well.
  • Don’t put too much or it won’t stick together well.
  • Spread on sandwich bread and top with salad pepper rings for a delicious sandwich.
  • Also good stuffed in pita pockets, wraps or croissants with salad pepper rings.

Notes

NOTE: Mayonnaise can be substituted for the Miracle Whip but you will lose a lot of the flavor.
 
NOTE: I prefer to grind the chicken with a food processor or the chopper option from an immersion blender. It's a lot easier than chopping the chicken with a knife into small dice.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 125kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 16gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 552mgPotassium: 337mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 436IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 11mgIron: 0.5mg
Keyword chicken, chicken salad, main dish, sandwiches
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

[b]Chicken Salad Sandwiches[/b]
Recipe Type: Sandwiches/Salads
Cuisine: American
Author: Teresa Ambra – my own creation
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 8
Fabulous homemade chicken salad recipe with a nice crunch and a delicious, zesty flavor. This recipe is best served on croissants, in wraps or pita pockets and garnished with mild salad pepper rings.
Ingredients
  • 1 whole chicken, cooked and deboned or 4-6 boneless, skinless breasts, cooked
  • ½ red pepper, diced
  • ¼ cup diced red onion
  • 2 ribs celery, diced
  • 1/3 cup sweet pickle relish
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 to 1 cup Miracle Whip
  • salad pepper rings
Instructions
  1. Put cooked meat in food processor and shred.
  2. Pour into mixing bowl.
  3. Mix with red pepper, onion, celery, relish, salt and pepper and sugar.
  4. Stir in Miracle Whip – start with about ½ cup and add until mixed well.
  5. Don’t put too much or it won’t stick together well.
  6. Spread on sandwich bread and top with salad pepper rings for a delicious sandwich.
  7. Also good stuffed in pita pockets or croissants with salad pepper rings.
Chicken Salad Sandwiches | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #sandwiches are stuffed in #PitaPockets & garnished with mild pepper rings. Best #ChickenSalad ever! Every time we make these sandwiches they get rave reviews. #ChickenSaladSandwiches #Chicken #FavoriteChickenSaladRecipe

Don’t Chicken Salad Sandwiches in pita pockets look terrific? I have a hard time stopping at just one!

Chicken Salad Sandwiches | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #sandwiches are stuffed in #PitaPockets & garnished with mild pepper rings. Best #ChickenSalad ever! Every time we make these sandwiches they get rave reviews. #ChickenSaladSandwiches #Chicken #FavoriteChickenSaladRecipe

Chicken Salad Sandwiches are great for picnics and potlucks.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #sandwiches are stuffed in #PitaPockets & garnished with mild pepper rings. Best #ChickenSalad ever! Every time we make these sandwiches they get rave reviews. #ChickenSaladSandwiches #Chicken #FavoriteChickenSaladRecipe

These sandwiches are so sumptuous and mouthwatering!

You may also enjoy these delicious recipes!

Healthy Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Healthy Chicken Salad Sandwiches | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these amazing #ChickenSalad #sandwiches include #grapes, #walnuts & #IcelandicSkyrYogurt instead of mayonnaise! This healthier version of #ChickenSaladSandwiches is perfect for #tailgating parties or lunches. Our company drooled over them! #healthy #HealthyChickenSaladSandwiches #NoMayonnaiseChickenSalad

Guacamole and Swiss Cheese Sandwiches

Guacamole and Swiss Cheese Sandwiches | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | the best of both worlds! #Guacamole plus #GrilledCheese! These #sandwiches are fantastic. Terrific for #tailgating parties or any time you want a quick lunch or supper. #avocados #SwissCheese #GuacamoleAndSwissCheeseSandwiches

Barbecue Pork  

Barbecue Pork | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST pulled #pork #recipe ever! We serve it on onion rolls, plain or stuffed in baked potatoes. It's finger lickin' good! The homemade #BBQ sauce is amazing. #BarbecuePork #PulledPork #Sandwich #Crockpot #BBQPorkSandwiches #SlowCooker
Chicken Salad Sandwiches | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #sandwiches are stuffed in #PitaPockets & garnished with mild pepper rings. Best #ChickenSalad ever! Every time we make these sandwiches they get rave reviews. #ChickenSaladSandwiches #Chicken #FavoriteChickenSaladRecipe

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Teresa Ambra
Fabulous homemade chicken salad recipe with a nice crunch and a delicious, zesty flavor. This recipe is best served on croissants, in wraps or pita pockets and garnished with mild salad pepper rings. Excellent for tailgating parties, lunches and weekend suppers.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Sandwiches/Salads
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 125 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 food processor
  • 1 sharp knife to cut vegetables
  • 1 mixing bowl
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • measuring spoons
  • measuring cups

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups chicken cooked and shredded
  • 1/2 red bell pepper diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion diced
  • 2 ribs celery diced
  • 1/3 cup sweet pickle relish
  • 1 tsp. Salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 1/2 to 1 cup miracle whip
  • 1/2 cup mild salad pepper rings drained and patted dry

Instructions
 

  • Put cooked meat in food processor and shred.
  • Pour into mixing bowl.
  • Mix with red pepper, onion, celery, relish, salt and pepper and sugar.
  • Stir in Miracle Whip – start with about ½ cup and add until mixed well.
  • Don’t put too much or it won’t stick together well.
  • Spread on sandwich bread and top with salad pepper rings for a delicious sandwich.
  • Also good stuffed in pita pockets, wraps or croissants with salad pepper rings.

Notes

NOTE: Mayonnaise can be substituted for the Miracle Whip but you will lose a lot of the flavor.
 
NOTE: I prefer to grind the chicken with a food processor or the chopper option from an immersion blender. It’s a lot easier than chopping the chicken with a knife into small dice.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 125kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 16gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 552mgPotassium: 337mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 436IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 11mgIron: 0.5mg
Keyword chicken, chicken salad, main dish, sandwiches
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

8 Comments

  • Leif

    September 5, 2022 at 8:08 pm

    5 stars
    I made this chicken salad but omitted the sugar, used Dukes mayo instead of Miricle Whip and added 1/3 cup of diced pickled jalapenos and my family loved it…. I also used the food processor on my chicken and veg for the first time…. I will not go back unless I make rotisserie chicken salad…. Love the texture of chicken..

    1. Teresa

      September 10, 2022 at 10:40 am

      Hi Leif. So glad you enjoyed the recipe. Wow, diced pickled jalapenos?? Sounds awesome.

  • Mary

    October 5, 2015 at 1:22 pm

    Uh-oh! No wonder I messed up the texture. My brain completely skipped over the word “shred” as in USE THE SHREDDER BLADE! I put all of the chicken in the food processor at once and just turned it on. I tried to stop it and stir it to get the chicken on the top to chop up, meanwhile the chicken on the bottom was turning into cream of chicken! Teresa, this is what I was talking about when I told you that I have had so many failures. I just have no common sense or natural talent where cooking is concerned. My mother hated cooking, and never wanted to take the time to help me learn. And she was so disdainful of me when I tried to cook and made mistakes. So I kind of gave up for a while. But now I want to keep trying, because I think I will get better by just working on it and learning from all my “beginner cooking” mistakes. Thank you so much for your patience in explaining things. I think your website really is a ministry. The good news is that the chicken salad still tastes really good. I had it for lunch today in a pita pocket with the salad rings on top. So I will make chicken salad again, with the shredder blade. And I’m going to also try your chicken salad recipe with grapes and pecans. Thank you again!

  • Mary

    October 4, 2015 at 7:52 pm

    Hi Teresa. I made this tonight to go with your Autumn Squash Soup for lunch this week. The flavor is really good, and I think it will be delicious packed into half a pita pocket with the pepper rings. I do have one question. I put my chicken into my food processor, and I think I may have processed it too long. The chicken came out really smooth and creamy. The vegetables give it a great crunch, and the flavor is wonderful. But can you tell me more about how long or how creamy to process the chicken? Thank you so much for your help!

    1. Teresa

      October 5, 2015 at 12:05 pm

      Wow, Mary, this is a texture thing. My older processor only took about 5 seconds each batch as I pushed the chicken into the channel. I used a shred blade on it. If you put it in a processor all at once, I doubt it would take more than about 5-8 seconds. A lot will depend on how creamy and smooth YOU want the recipe. If you like it chunkier, stop after 5 seconds. The chicken texture is supposed to be finely shredded so it is creamier than most chicken salads, but if you want it a little chunkier, you can either put it in a processor no more than 4-5 seconds, or you can put all the chicken out on a bread board and finely chop with a knife (more work, but you can get the exact texture you want). I hope that helps. Don’t give up. This is such a great recipe. You’ll love chicken salad this way. You can even eat it with a spoon if you prefer! 🙂

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