If you think about it, rotisserie is one of the most primal methods of cooking. It was once called spit-roasting, and took a lot of time and effort. Picture this: first you have to catch your chicken and clean it; then make a fire pit with a spit; collect firewood; light the fire; and wait for some coals. Only then can you cook the chicken — and you don't have any other method! What a hassle! Luckily, this Rotisserie Chicken Salad Recipe does not require any of the old-fashioned rotisserie effort! We will use a well-done rotisserie chicken from the store or your kitchen.
I have been in France for a while now and I've discovered the French adore rotisserie and rotisserie chicken recipes. Here it is known as Poulet Roti. I love using a large Black Leg Chicken Poulet Roti from the Marche (open-air markets) for this recipe. You can use a standard poulet roti, as long as it is not overcooked or dry. Check the packaging for juice, which contains all the flavors we need for the salad. With a good bird, you can easily create the delicious flavors of this easy chicken salad recipe. Let's dive into the details!
This recipe is:
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- Low Carb
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- Keto
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- Gluten Free
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- Dairy Free
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- Paleo
Table of Contents
6 Reasons To Love This Recipe
Besides its irresistible flavors, you may get addicted to this homemade rotisserie chicken recipe for reasons like:
- Incredibly tender and delicious chicken.
- A perfect balance of savory chicken and crunchy vegetables.
- Low-carb, but no one will guess.
- Perfect for a picnic, weekday lunch, or weekend BBQ.
- Foolproof as rotisserie chicken takes out the guesswork!
- Easy to customize with alternate ingredients.
Is Rotisserie Chicken Salad Low-Carb?
Yes, a rotisserie chicken salad prepared with low-carb ingredients and dressings fits the low-carb lifestyle. A low-carb rotisserie chicken salad recipe features either a homemade rotisserie chicken or a store-bought one with few ingredients, zero sugar, and no preservatives. It also uses a low-carb dressing, and veggies like celery, radish, and shallots.
This recipe is low-carb as it yields 2 g net carbs per serving. I ensured the ingredients fall within low-carb diet guidelines so you can enjoy it without worrying about a carb surge.
Rotisserie Chicken Salad Ingredients List
You need the following ingredients for this rotisserie chicken recipe:
- 1 rotisserie chicken
- 3 stalks celery (approximately 1 cup), diced
- ½ cup radish diced
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup shallots minced
- ¼ cup rotisserie chicken juice (reserved from the package)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- fresh lemon juice (added right before serving)
- chives for garnish (optional)
- kosher salt to taste
- fresh cracked black pepper to taste
Note: I have a full recipe on how to make your rotisserie chicken from scratch.
Ingredients Substitute
If you're missing any of the ingredients listed above, use these great substitutions:
- Rotisserie Chicken: Use shredded leftover chicken or shredded grilled chicken.
- Shallots: Use ¼ cup of finely diced red onion. Soak the raw onion in water for 10 minutes to remove the sharp onion flavor.
- Dijon mustard: Whole-grain mustard is an excellent swap. Avoid yellow mustard.
- Mayonnaise: Make mayonnaise yourself to ensure it is low-carb without hidden sugars. This recipe does not like any mayonnaise whips or dressings. They have acidity in them that does not balance well with the flavors. If you're wondering Is Mayo Low Carb check out the in depth article to dig into its carb content and nutrition value.
- Chicken jus: Chicken stock is a great swap, although it is not as flavorful as the juice at the bottom of the chicken package. The juice turns into a jelly when the chicken cools. Warm it to get the flavor-packed liquid.
- Lemon juice: Lime juice or ¼ teaspoon of balsamic vinegar, or apple cider vinegar will give you the same tartness.
- Chives: Use green onions, chopped finely.
Additional Ingredients
The ingredients listed above are sufficient for making the most delicious chicken salad with rotisserie chicken, but you can enhance the flavors further with any of these optional ingredients:
- Veggies: Add diced bell pepper (red, yellow, or orange), quartered cherry tomatoes, peeled and seeded cucumber, or fresh yellow corn if you’re not watching your carb intake.
- Herbs: This salad loves fresh herbs. Add some julienned basil, chopped parsley, or a touch of fresh dill (a little goes a long way!) to the mix.
- Avocado: I like to layer sliced avocado on top of this classic chicken salad. I do not mix it in because the salad's texture becomes too thick and unappealing to me.
- Pickles: Since this chicken salad is creamy, it goes well with the contrasting flavor of pickles. Use some quick pickled red onion, sliced dill pickles or some of my keto pickled jalapeños for a perfect flavor contrast.
- More Onion Flavor: Increase the shallots to about ½ cup if you enjoy an intense onion flavor in your chicken salad.
Note: The additional ingredients are optional and not part of the classic chicken salad recipe or the nutritional information in the recipe card below. You can use them to enhance the flavor only.
Preparation Tools
A classic chicken salad like this one requires just a handful of basic tools;
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Fork or tongs for mixing
- Paring knife
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
How To Make Chicken Salad With Rotisserie Chicken: Step-by-Step Guide
Cooking Method
- No-cook recipe
Preparation Steps
- Get all the tools and ingredients. When purchasing your rotisserie chicken ensure it has no spices or BBQ sauce as they do not mix well with this recipe.
- Allow the chicken to cool, then shred all the meat. Place in a bowl.
- Peel and mince the shallots.
- Dice the radish and celery.
- Add the remaining ingredients except the lemon to the bowl. Mix well.
- Taste, adjust the seasoning, and put it in the refrigerator to cool for a couple of hours. To expedite the process, place in the freezer for about 20 minutes.
- Right before serving, squeeze some lemon over the chicken salad and add some chopped chives. Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Serve chilled and happy eating!
Note: Pour about ¼ cup of the chicken juice into the bottom of the bowl before adding the shredded chicken. Shred the chicken breast meat first and allow it to soak up all the juice. Add some more juice if it disappears but not too much as your chicken salad will be a little loose.
Step 1: Secure a delicious rotisserie chicken. I avoid chickens that have seasonings on them- typically they aren’t wonderful when mixed with other ingredients.
Step 2: Remove all the chicken from the bird. Be careful NOT to get bone or cartilage into the mix. QUICK TIP: Let the chicken cool before starting this process.
Step 3: Add all the ingredients, including the rotisserie chicken, to a bowl. Be sure to measure the ingredients so they all balance.
💡Pro Tip: How To Debone The Rotisserie Chicken
You must be ready to get your hands dirty if you want to learn how to make chicken salad from rotisserie chicken. There is no better way of removing all the chicken from the bones. Allow the chicken to cool slightly before starting, to avoid burning your fingers.
- First, wash your hands well, then grab a paring knife. It has a small blade that will make it easier to maneuver around the bones.
- Remove the trussing (the cord that is holding the chicken together) and discard. Work from one side of the bird to another. Gently pull the leg quarter out to the side and cut at the joint near the thigh. Cut the leg from the thigh.
- Next, cut along the keel bone (the very top of the chicken) on the same side where you just took off the leg. Follow the bone all the way toward the neck and down the wishbone. Pull off the chicken breast.
- Flip the bird and repeat the steps on the other side.
I prefer to leave the wings until I remove the breast meat on both sides because they offer stability. Once the breast meat is gone, I flip the bird over and remove the wings by simply grabbing and twisting. They pop off easily. Ensure you get the medallions (right above where the thigh attaches to the chicken). They are tasty. After that, use the knife or your fingers to pull any remaining chicken bits off the carcass.
⏲️ Time-Saving Tips
- Buy shredded rotisserie chicken. Many grocery stores sell packaged, shredded rotisserie chicken in the deli cold case. You will save a lot of prep time!
- Chop all your veggies while the chicken is cooling.
- Make the recipe ahead of time and refrigerate. The flavors will come together beautifully; plus a super-cold chicken salad is the best. Let the chicken salad mixture rest in the refrigerator overnight for the onion flavor to mellow and other flavors to combine.
Bonus Section
Rotisserie chicken always stays in my fridge because it is such a convenient meal prep food item you can reuse in multiple ways. Since, I make it multiple times, I have always been asked about its preparation.
Here are some quick and easy cooking guides for you to ace your meal prep days!
What To Serve With Rotisserie Chicken Salad Recipe?
This classic recipe is a complete meal that is well-enjoyable on its own, but it pairs well with various dressings and dishes that enhance its savory flavors. You can make your weeknight meals or lunches super delicious with the following pairing options:
- Avocado Lime Crema: The creamy avocado-based dressing is flavorful and full of healthy fats. It is a perfect dressing choice if you want a creamy chicken salad.
- Keto Ranch Dressing: This is another rich, creamy dressing that will give the chicken salad a huge flavor boost. Such a great lunch idea if you're looking for a quick lunch!
- Cauliflower Potato Salad: This is a light, low-carb, and perfect side dish for an easy chicken salad meal on a weeknight family dinner.
- Grilled Asparagus: Serve the homemade chicken salad alongside a few spears of grilled asparagus for a delightful and filling keto meal. They add a delicious crunch.
Storage Instruction
- Store the leftover rotisserie chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. It's a perfect meal prep dish that can save you time on busy days.
Conclusion
I make this Rotisserie Chicken Salad Recipe weekly for my family in the summer. Truth be told, my family enjoys salads. My kids love using lettuce wraps for a delicious lunch option. My daughter eats tuna salad and this chicken salad with salt and vinegar chips. She finds the big chips and uses another chip to load on the salad. No need for wraps or silverware. Brilliant!
A good bird is the secret to the best chicken salad. Don't hesitate to ask the butcher or the food vendor if the chicken is organic or free-range. Better ingredients make better food! Remember the juice in the packaging's bottom is the key to the huge flavor. Try the recipe and let me know how it turns out in the comments.
This has become one of my favorite rotisserie chicken recipes. I hope you enjoy this chicken salad as much as we do. Happy eating!
More Healthy Salad Recipes
Need to try other low-carb salads with plenty of protein? Check out these recipes:
FAQs
Yes, cold rotisserie chicken is delicious and perfect for quick meals and picnics as long it is stored properly.
Yes, a low-carb version of the sandwich has low-carb bread alternatives like crunchy lettuce cups or lettuce leaves.
A typical chicken salad will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Do not leave your salad at room temperature if you want it to last long.
ROTISSERIE CHICKEN SALAD RECIPE
Ingredients
- 1 rotisserie chicken
- 3 stalks celery approximately 1 cup, diced
- ½ cup radish diced
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup shallots minced
- ¼ cup rotisserie chicken juice reserved from the package
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- fresh lemon juice added right before serving
- chives for garnish optional
- kosher salt to taste
- fresh cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Get all the tools and ingredients. When purchasing your rotisserie chicken ensure it has no spices or BBQ sauce as they do not mix well with this recipe.
- Allow the chicken to cool, then shred all the meat. Place in a bowl.
- Peel and mince the shallots.
- Dice the radish and celery.
- Add the remaining ingredients except the lemon to the bowl. Mix well.
- Taste, adjust the seasoning, and put it in the refrigerator to cool for a couple of hours. To expedite the process, place in the freezer for about 20 minutes.
- Right before serving, squeeze some lemon over the chicken salad and add some chopped chives. Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Serve chilled and happy eating!
Notes
Nutrition
“This website provides approximate nutrition data and information for convenience and as a courtesy only.”
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Carolyn Davies says
Who knew you could use rotisserie chicken. Saved me so much time and it was really tasty. If I don't have to cook chicken myself, I would rather not. This makes it really easy to enjoy one of my favorite lunches!
Scott Groth says
Hi Carolyn:
So nice to hear that. Thank you for stopping by.
Have a great day in the kitchen and happy eating!
Scott
Holly says
Can you tell me how many carbs are in this per serving? I love this chicken salad but I don't see anything but the calorie count. Maybe I am missing it?
Scott Groth says
Hi Holly-
I think I missed this one when I was adding in nutrition data because I could not find the data for a "rotisserie chicken" which is still the case today. I added in the data for 2 legs, 2 thighs and 2 breasts to come to as close an approximation as I could. I hope that this helps-
Thanks so much-
Scott