Costco Chicken Salad
Costco’s classic chicken salad is a cult favorite for very good reason!!
Basically, they’re keeping it simple and scrumptious with juicy, tender shredded chicken, a few key spices, and the right combination of sour cream and mayonnaise.
It’s mouthwateringly tangy, succulent, and downright delicious!
But here’s the thing… you don’t need to buy their prepared version to enjoy it. Nope! You can save some money by whipping up a homemade version that’s arguably even tastier than the original!
See, I’m something of a chicken salad aficionado — have you checked out my saucy barbecue, spicy Southwestern, or herbal lemon basil versions yet?
That’s all to say… I’m not new to chicken salad, and I guarantee this copycat Costco chicken salad recipe will be your new favorite!!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Rotisserie Chicken – The original chicken salad from Costco is, of course, made from rotisserie meat!I recommend shredding it while it’s still warm to make it easier to handle. It really starts to stick to the bones once it cools. You can also do this with a food processor or stand mixer!
- Celery & Onion – Dice these up super finely and mix them thoroughly into the meat for a good balance of flavor and texture in every bite.
- Mayonnaise & Sour Cream – Fatty ingredients like these are key to a rich, full-flavored chicken salad!However, you can easily substitute the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a healthier, tangier option.
- Lemon Juice – I like my Costco chicken salad super tangy! Reduce to 2 tablespoons if you want your dressing a little less intense.
- Parsley – Sub in fresh parsley for a brighter, more vibrant taste. You can also substitute with chives, green onions, or dill!
- Garlic Powder – Adds savory goodness without any large chunks of fresh cloves. You can substitute this ingredient with onion powder.
- Paprika – Substitute with chili powder or cayenne to give your Costco rotisserie chicken salad a little kick.
Tips and Tricks to Make Costco Rotisserie Chicken Salad at Home
- Give it a little crunch.
Add some crunch factor to your Costco chicken salad by tossing sliced almonds, cashews, chopped walnuts, or sunflower seeds into this dish.
Toasted nuts are usually crunchier — and they have a better flavor too!
You can usually find them pre-toasted, but it’s easy to toast them in a dry skillet for the same effect.
- Make it ahead of time for convenience and extra flavor!
Making this dish ahead of time isn’t only time-effective. It gives the meat more time to soak up all of those yummy seasonings, which makes it taste even better the next day!
I’d recommend whipping it up the day before for best results.
- Like a sweeter salad?
Diced apples, halved grapes, and dried cranberries are super fresh (and healthy!) extras that’ll give your meal a little more sweetness.
You can also add a teaspoon of honey to both offset the tanginess of the dressing and make it a little sweeter. Add that right to the dressing before it’s mixed in with the meat.
