Fire up your pellet grill and pull the chicken from the fridge—today we’re making a Smoked Chicken Salad Sandwich that will steal the show at your next spring or summer gathering. This version uses smoked chicken for a deep, savory base and a simple, creamy dressing that highlights fresh celery, green onions, and a touch of lemon for brightness. It’s easy to prepare, excellent for using leftover smoked or rotisserie chicken, and versatile enough to serve on buns, croissants, or in lettuce cups for lighter options.
Smoked Chicken Salad Sandwich Recipe
When warm weather arrives I sometimes miss hearty fall and winter meals—soups, stews, casseroles, and classic meat-and-potatoes dishes. But then I remember how much fun summer grilling is. From smoked baked beans and potato salads to grilled kabobs and juicy steaks, outdoor cooking brings a different kind of comfort. This smoked chicken salad is one of those light-but-satisfying recipes that pairs perfectly with other summer barbecue favorites.
Recipe Shopping List
Here’s what you’ll need to make this smoked chicken salad sandwich. Exact quantities and the printable recipe are provided in the recipe card below.
- Smoked chicken (or rotisserie chicken)
- Mayonnaise
- Celery
- Celery salt
- Salt & pepper
- Granulated garlic
- Green onion (scallion)
- Dijon mustard
- Lemon juice
How To Make This Recipe
This overview summarizes the main steps so you know what to expect. For best results, follow the full recipe details in the card below and allow the salad to chill so the flavors marry.
- Mix: Combine the dressing ingredients until smooth, then fold in the diced smoked chicken and vegetables.
- Chill: Refrigerate for a few hours to allow flavors to meld and the salad to firm up slightly.
- Serve: Spoon the chicken salad onto toasted sandwich buns, croissants, or into lettuce cups for a lighter serving. It’s also great on crackers or as a topping for baked potatoes.
Recipe FAQ
How do you store leftovers? Store leftover chicken salad covered in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. It’s a perfect make-ahead lunch for the workweek.
Can you use rotisserie chicken? Yes. Rotisserie or pre-cooked chicken works very well and speeds up prep time. You’ll get less smoky flavor than from truly smoked chicken, but the sandwich will still be delicious.
Can you use Miracle Whip? You can substitute Miracle Whip for mayonnaise if you prefer a tangier, sweeter profile. It will change the flavor noticeably, so choose according to taste.
Any other mix-ins? Absolutely—try halved grapes, chopped apples, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, or fresh dill for different flavor and texture combinations.
More Grilled Chicken Recipes
- Traeger Grilled Whole Chicken
- Spatchcock Chicken
- Traeger Cornish Game Hens
- Grilled Chicken Kabobs
- Grilled Chicken Teriyaki
- Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas
- Honey Balsamic Grilled Chicken Legs
Serve This With
- Greek salad
- Grilled asparagus
- Grilled zucchini and yellow squash
- Smoked baked beans
- Classic cheesy potato casserole
Smoked Chicken Salad Sandwich
This smoked chicken salad is a simple, flavorful way to use leftover smoked or rotisserie chicken. It’s creamy, with a bright hit of lemon and a satisfying crunch from celery and green onion.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes (plus chilling time)
Ingredients
- 4 cups diced smoked chicken (white and dark meat)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup diced celery
- ½ teaspoon celery salt
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic
- 3 green onions, diced (whites and greens)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, celery salt, salt, pepper, granulated garlic, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice until smooth and well combined.
- Add the diced smoked chicken, celery, and green onions. Fold gently until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for a few hours to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
- Serve on toasted buns, croissants, or in lettuce cups. Garnish with additional green onion or a squeeze of lemon if desired.
Nutrition (approximate per serving)
Calories: 424 | Total Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 1550mg | Carbohydrates: 2g | Fiber: 1g | Protein: 38g
Nutrition data is an estimate and will vary depending on exact ingredients and portion sizes.