Cajun Chicken Salad

Last updated on October 14th, 2025

I love having some cooked chicken on hand because the opportunities are endless! Chicken salad is a classic and this Cajun Chicken Salad brings a new spin to this summery favorite! You’ve got the classic chicken salad ingredients in there but then you get this spicy, smoky addition. The crunch from the onion and the celery with the creamy flavors from the mayo and mustard all fit so well together – and of course you need some fresh herbs and lemon juice to brighten it all up! This was delicious served on bread, but it can also be a wrap, a dip, even a melt!

Where does chicken salad come from?

Chicken salad dates all the way back to the 1800’s, with the earliest versions appearing in European cuisine! In the US, chicken salad became popular around the mid 1800’s after a recipe appeared in Sarah Rutledge’s “The Carolina Housewife!” This version was described as using a homemade mayo which was mixed with cold, cooked chicken! Another eyebrow raising early version of this salad appeared in 1863 in Rhode Island, when Liam Gray combined leftover chicken with grapes, mayo, and tarragon! Pretty interesting flavor combo, Liam! Today, we are still loving this cold salad all around the world! It makes such a versatile lunch, snack, or even dinner – and it’s incredibly easy to customize!

What do I need to make this Cajun Chicken Salad?

Cooked Chicken – rotisserie chicken or check out my recipe
Celery
Mayo
Onion
Green Pepper
Garlic
Lemon
Dijon
Parsley
Cajun Seasoning
Chili Powder

How do I make it?

Add all ingredients to a large bowl and stir well until mixed completely. For the best flavor, refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour before enjoying!

Serve Cajun Chicken Salad on bread, in a tortilla, with chips – the choice is yours! Enjoy!

Loved this recipe? Check out some more of my cold salads!

• Avocado Chicken Salad
• Creamy Egg Salad
• Tuna Salad
• Creamy Cucumber Salad

Cajun Chicken Salad

The Wholesome Spoon

I love having some cooked chicken on hand because the opportunities are endless! Chicken salad is a classic and this Cajun Chicken Salad brings a new spin to this summery favorite! You’ve got the classic chicken salad ingredients in there but then you get this spicy, smokey addition. The crunch from the onion and the celery with the creamy flavors from the mayo and mustard all fit so well together – and of course you need some fresh herbs and lemon juice to brighten it all up! This was delicious served on bread, but it can also be a wrap, a dip, even a melt!

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 0 minutes mins

Chill Time 30 minutes mins

Course Lunch, Main Course, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 5

Calories 268 kcal

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 cups cooked chicken chopped – rotisserie chicken or check out my recipe
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 celery rib diced
• ½ cup mayo
• ⅓ cup yellow onion diced
• ¼ cup green pepper diced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp Dijon
• ½ tbsp parsley minced
• 1 ½ tsp Cajun seasoning
• ½ tsp chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste I didn't need any because my chicken was already so flavorful and between the mayo and Cajun, there was plenty of salt for us!

Instructions

 

• Add all ingredients to a large bowl and stir well until mixed completely.
• For the best flavor, refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour before enjoying!
• Serve Cajun Chicken Salad on bread, in a tortilla, with chips – the choice is yours!

Nutrition

Serving: 0.75cupCalories: 268kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 9gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 600mgFiber: 0.6gSugar: 1.5g

Please be aware that nutritional values are approximate and intended as a helpful guide

Keyword Chicken Salad, Chicken Salad Recipes, Cold Sandwiches, Easy Lunch, Spicy Chicken Salad, What to do with cooked chicken

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