This bread and butter pickle chicken salad is creamy, crunchy, and packed with sweet-tangy flavor. It turns cooked chicken, chopped pickles, Greek yogurt, mayo, and crisp vegetables into an easy cold lunch for busy weekdays.
The flavor is different from a classic dill pickle chicken salad. Bread and butter pickles bring a little sweetness, while mustard, pickle juice, black pepper, and dill help keep the salad balanced and savory.
Serve it in sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups, crackers boxes, or simple meal prep containers. It is the kind of recipe that feels practical, budget-friendly, and easy to adjust with what you already have.
Quick Answer
Bread and butter pickle chicken salad is a creamy chicken salad made with cooked chicken, chopped bread and butter pickles, Greek yogurt, mayo, celery, onion, pickle juice, and mustard. It tastes slightly sweet, tangy, creamy, and savory.
It works well as a cold lunch because you can make it ahead, chill it, and serve it with bread, wraps, crackers, greens, or lettuce cups.
Why This Bread and Butter Pickle Chicken Salad Works
It has a sweet-tangy flavor
Bread and butter pickles are sweeter than dill pickles, so they give this chicken salad a softer pickle flavor. Mustard and pickle juice help balance that sweetness so the salad does not taste flat.
It uses simple cooked chicken
You can make this with shredded chicken, diced chicken, rotisserie chicken, leftover baked chicken, or well-drained canned chicken. That makes it useful when you need a fast lunch without cooking from scratch.
It packs well for cold lunches
The salad can be stored in the fridge and packed with crackers, sandwich bread, tortillas, or raw vegetables. Keep the bread or crackers separate until serving so they stay crisp.
Ingredients You Need
Cooked chicken
Use shredded or diced cooked chicken. Chicken breast gives a leaner texture, while chicken thighs can taste richer. Rotisserie chicken, leftover grilled chicken, baked chicken, or canned chicken can all work.
Bread and butter pickles
These are the main flavor ingredient. Drain them well, then chop them finely so every bite gets a little pickle flavor.
Greek yogurt and mayo
Plain Greek yogurt keeps the dressing thick, while a small amount of mayonnaise adds classic chicken salad flavor. You can adjust the balance depending on the texture you prefer.
Pickle juice and mustard
Pickle juice adds tang, and mustard helps cut through the sweetness of the pickles. Add pickle juice gradually so the salad does not become watery.
Celery and red onion
Celery adds crunch, while red onion adds sharpness. If you want a milder flavor, use green onion instead.
Seasonings
Garlic powder, dried dill, and black pepper round out the dressing. Add salt only after tasting, because pickles, pickle juice, rotisserie chicken, and canned chicken can already be salty.
Best Pickles to Use
Bread and butter pickles are the best choice for this recipe because they create the signature sweet-tangy flavor. Use chopped pickle chips or slices, but drain them before adding them to the bowl.
If you want the salad less sweet, replace part of the bread and butter pickles with dill pickles. For a sharper pickle-forward version, try this dill pickle chicken salad meal prep.
How to Make Bread and Butter Pickle Chicken Salad
1. Chop and drain the pickles
Drain the bread and butter pickles, then chop them into small pieces. This keeps the salad flavorful without adding too much liquid.
2. Mix the creamy dressing
In a large mixing bowl, stir together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, pickle juice, mustard, garlic powder, dried dill, and black pepper until smooth.
3. Fold in the chicken and vegetables
Add the cooked chicken, chopped pickles, celery, and red onion. Stir gently until everything is coated in the dressing.
4. Chill and adjust
Chill the salad for 30 minutes if you have time. Taste before serving and adjust with a little more mustard, pepper, or pickle juice if needed.
Bread and Butter Pickle Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Drain the bread and butter pickles well, then chop them into small pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, pickle juice, mustard, garlic powder, dried dill, and black pepper until smooth.
- Add the cooked chicken, chopped pickles, celery, and red onion to the bowl.
- Stir gently until the chicken and vegetables are evenly coated in the creamy dressing.
- Taste before adding salt. Adjust with a little more mustard, black pepper, or pickle juice if needed.
- Chill for 30 minutes if possible, then serve cold.
Notes
Budget Swaps and Easy Variations
- Use leftover chicken: Baked, grilled, or poached chicken works well.
- Use canned chicken: Drain it well and mix gently for a fast pantry option.
- Use rotisserie chicken: Remove the skin and chop or shred the meat before mixing.
- Use dried dill: It is affordable and easy to keep in the pantry.
- Add extra celery: This adds crunch and volume without making the salad heavy.
- Try cottage cheese: For a different creamy texture, use inspiration from this cottage cheese chicken salad.
If you like cottage cheese meal prep ideas, browse these high protein cottage cheese recipes.
How to Serve It
| Serving Idea | How to Pack It |
|---|---|
| Sandwich | Pack the chicken salad separately and add it to bread when ready to eat. |
| Wrap | Spread it in a tortilla with lettuce or sliced cucumber. |
| Crackers box | Pack chicken salad in one container and crackers in another. |
| Lettuce cups | Spoon the salad into crisp lettuce leaves right before eating. |
| Salad bowl | Serve over greens with cucumber, tomato, and extra pickles. |
For more cold lunch inspiration, see these high protein cold lunches for work or these high protein lunchables for adults.
Helpful Tools for This Recipe
You do not need special equipment for this chicken salad, but a few basic tools make prep easier:
- A large mixing bowl for stirring the dressing and chicken together
- A cutting board and sharp knife for chopping pickles, celery, onion, and chicken
- Measuring cups and spoons for keeping the dressing balanced
- Airtight meal prep containers for storing portions in the fridge
- Divided lunch containers if you want to pack crackers, vegetables, or bread separately
- Small sauce cups if you like extra pickles or mustard on the side
- A food thermometer if you are cooking chicken from raw
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Meal Prep and Storage
Store bread and butter pickle chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator at 40°F or below. Use it within 3 to 4 days.
Do not freeze this chicken salad. The creamy dressing and chopped vegetables can separate and lose their texture after thawing.
For packed lunches, keep bread, tortillas, crackers, or lettuce separate until serving. This helps prevent soggy sandwiches and soft crackers.
For more simple prep ideas, visit cheap high protein meal prep.
Food Safety Note
If you cook chicken from raw for this recipe, use a food thermometer and cook it to 165°F. According to FoodSafety.gov, chicken salad should be refrigerated at 40°F or below and used within 3 to 4 days.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Adding too much pickle juice: Start with 1 tablespoon, then add more only if needed.
- Skipping the drain step: Wet pickles can make the salad watery.
- Salting too early: Taste first because pickles, pickle juice, canned chicken, and rotisserie chicken can already be salty.
- Making it too sweet: Add mustard, black pepper, or a few chopped dill pickles for balance.
- Overmixing canned chicken: Fold gently so the salad does not turn mushy.
- Serving it immediately: A short chill time helps the flavors come together.
Estimated Nutrition Notes
The nutrition below is an estimate per serving, not a guarantee. It is based on 4 servings and the recipe quantities listed above. Actual values can change depending on the chicken, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, pickles, pickle juice, and brands used.
Estimated Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: approximately 200 to 250
- Protein: approximately 23 to 28g
- Carbohydrates: approximately 5 to 9g
- Fat: approximately 7 to 12g
- Fiber: approximately 0 to 1g
- Sugar: approximately 3 to 6g
- Sodium: varies widely depending on pickles, pickle juice, chicken, and condiments
More High Protein Lunch Ideas
If you like simple cold lunches, explore more protein salad recipes or browse these high protein lunch ideas.
Try this next: the dill pickle version if you want a sharper flavor, or the cottage cheese version if you want a different creamy chicken salad idea.
Want more budget cold lunches like this? Join the email list for simple high-protein meal prep ideas you can pack without reheating.
FAQs
Can I use only bread and butter pickles?
Yes. The salad will taste sweeter, so balance it with mustard, black pepper, or a little extra pickle juice if needed.
Can I make this with rotisserie chicken?
Yes. Rotisserie chicken is a fast option. Taste before adding salt because rotisserie chicken can already be seasoned.
Can I use canned chicken?
Yes. Drain canned chicken well, then fold it in gently so the salad keeps some texture.
How do I keep chicken salad from getting watery?
Drain the pickles well, chop them finely, and add pickle juice gradually. Keep crackers, bread, and lettuce separate until serving.
How long does chicken salad last in the fridge?
Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator at 40°F or below and use it within 3 to 4 days.