Zoe’s Chicken Salad
Copycat Zoe’s Kitchen chicken salad is easy to make at home! Simple shredded chicken mixed with mayo, diced celery, salt, and pepper. It’s creamy, light, and tastes just like the restaurant version. Perfect for sandwiches, wraps, meal prep, or when you’re craving Zoe’s but don’t want to leave the house. Ready in 10 minutes, serves 4-6 people using just a few ingredients.
I love Greek or Mediterranean food while I’m out running errands. One of my favorite places to go is Zoe’s Kitchen. Their lemon chicken orzo soup is amazing and the chicken salad is perfect for a light lunch.
So when they closed the one by my house, I had to start making my own. I have the chicken salad down but I’m still working on the soup. That’s still to come! And the chicken salad recipe is spot on!
It’s so simple. Just shredded chicken, mayo, diced celery, salt, and pepper mixed together. All in one bowl! Just a few simple ingredients is what makes it so good. It tastes light, fresh, and exactly like Zoe’s!
More Chicken Salad Recipes
- Classic Chicken Salad – With grapes and pecans
- Dill Pickle Chicken Salad – Tangy with pickles
- Chicken Macaroni Salad – Pasta salad version
- Apple Chicken Salad – With crispy apples
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See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and their quantities.
Ingredient Notes
- Shredded Chicken – I use chicken breasts because I prefer white meat. Rotisserie chicken, leftover baked chicken, or chicken thighs all work great too.
- Mayo – I use Duke’s, but any brand works. Fat-free mayo is fine. Don’t use Miracle Whip because it has different flavor profile.
- Celery – Substitute red onion, cucumbers, green bell peppers, or leave it out if you don’t like celery.
- Salt & Pepper – Start light and add more as needed.
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How To Make Zoes Chicken Salad
- Shred 3 cups cooked chicken and dice ¼ cup celery. Combine shredded chicken, diced celery, and mayo in a large bowl.
- Mix until all ingredients are evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve on bread for sandwiches, in wraps, on mixed greens, or with crackers.
For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Storage & Make-Ahead
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Stir before serving.
Make-Ahead: Chill the chicken before mixing so it’s ready to serve immediately.
Not Freezer-Friendly: Don’t freeze assembled chicken salad. The mayo separates when thawed. Instead, freeze cooked shredded chicken and make the salad when you’re ready.
Meal Prep: Make a batch for easy lunches all week!
Variations
- Add Hard-Boiled Eggs: Dice 2-3 hard-boiled eggs for extra protein and creaminess.
- With Grapes: Add halved grapes for sweet contrast like classic chicken salad.
- Add Crunch: Mix in chopped pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds.
- Dill Pickles: Add diced dill pickles for tangy crunch.
- Dried Cranberries: Toss in dried cranberries for sweet-tart flavor.
- Diced Onion: Add finely diced red or white onion for sharp bite.
- Greek Yogurt: Use half mayo and half Greek yogurt for tangier, lighter version.
- Apples: Add diced Granny Smith apples for sweet crunch.
Ways to Serve Chicken Salad
- Sandwiches – On white bread, wheat bread, or croissants
- Wraps – Roll in tortillas or lettuce wraps
- Salad – Scoop onto mixed greens or spinach
- Crackers – Serve with crackers as appetizer or snack
- Pita Chips – Scoop with pita chips or kettle chips
- Lettuce Cups – Spoon into butter lettuce cups
- Bell Peppers – Stuff into halved bell peppers
Frequently Asked Questions
The simplicity! Zoe’s version is just chicken, mayo, celery, salt, and pepper. No grapes, no nuts, just clean simple flavors.
Yes! Rotisserie chicken is perfect and saves so much time. Just shred it and you’re done. This is also great for using up leftover chicken.
Absolutely! Use cucumbers, carrots, radishes, or diced apples. Or leave it out entirely.
Don’t freeze assembled chicken salad – the mayo separates. Freeze cooked shredded chicken instead and make fresh salad when ready.
Up to 1 week in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Stir before serving.
You can use half mayo and half Greek yogurt for tangier flavor, but it won’t taste exactly like Zoe’s.
This recipe is mayo-based, so it won’t work well without it. Try adding Greek yogurt or avocado, but it will taste different.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Chill the chicken before mixing so the salad is ready to serve immediately.
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time. Just shred and mix!
- Don’t use Miracle Whip. It has a different flavor than mayo.
- Start with less salt and add more to taste. You can always add but can’t take away!
- Dice celery small so it distributes evenly and doesn’t overpower.
- Stir before serving if made ahead. Everything settles as it sits.
- Keep it simple like Zoe’s does!
This copycat Zoe’s Kitchen chicken salad recipe is so simple and tastes just like the restaurant! Make it at home and skip the drive-through.
If you love this recipe as much as I do, please leave us a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ five-star review in the comment section below. Thanks!
Zoe’s Chicken Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups chicken cooked, shredded
- ¼ cup celery diced
- ¾ cup mayo
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.
- Chill in the refrigerator.
- Enjoy on bread as a sandwich or with crackers.
Notes
- Chill the chicken before mixing so the salad is ready to serve immediately.
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time. Just shred and mix!
- Don’t use Miracle Whip. It has a different flavor than mayo.
- Start with less salt and add more to taste. You can always add but can’t take away!
- Dice celery small so it distributes evenly and doesn’t overpower.
- Stir before serving if made ahead. Everything settles as it sits.
- Keep it simple like Zoe’s does!
Nutrition
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