Make a homemade version of the famous Costco Chicken Salad, but without any of the preservatives or questionable ingredients. This easy shredded chicken salad is great served on top of lettuce or toast. This recipe is gluten-free with dairy-free options.

Top down view of a large serving bowl of green lettuce topped with chicken salad.

Chicken salad is a great go-to lunch to have on hand. The flavors and crunch are delicious and easy to please most people. It’s very easy to fit into many different diets with quick substitutions.

Make this healthy Costco chicken salad today and be set for the week!

Contents hide
1 Why You Need This Recipe
2 Key Ingredients
3 Recipe Steps
4 Recipe Tips & Substitutions
5 Recipe FAQs
6 More Healthy Lunch Recipes You Might Like
7 Costco Chicken Salad (Copycat Recipe)

Why You Need This Recipe

  • Skip the trip to Costco and make the exact version at home instead.
  • This salad is super easy to make in whatever quantity you need.
  • Store your Costco chicken salad in individual containers in the fridge for lunch on the go.

Key Ingredients

Ingredients to make chicken salad in small bowls on a white surface.

Rotisserie chicken is a perfect source of protein that’s also very affordable. Try to find an organic chicken at the store or roast your own at home.

Mayo and sour cream add creaminess and the perfect amount of tang. Use dairy-free versions for dairy-free diets.

Celery and onion offer the crunch that’s a great contrast to the other ingredients.

Sugar helps balance the vinegar in the dressing, but can easily be left out if you are on a sugar-free diet.

Recipe Steps

Process photos for mixing up a bowl of chicken salad.

Step One

Combine the mayo and sour cream with all seasonings.

As always, please do see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Step Two

Stir the mayo mixture into the shredded or chopped chicken.

Step Three

Add crunchy diced celery and onion and combine well.

Step Four

Serve immediately or refrigerate and chill before serving.

Close up of chicken salad over a bed of green lettuce.

Recipe Tips & Substitutions

  • Most cooked rotisserie chickens you find in grocery stores weigh about 2 pounds. The Costco rotisserie chickens weigh about 3 pounds.
  • To reduce the amount of fat in this recipe, you can replace the sour cream with unsweetened Greek-style yogurt, if you prefer.
  • This recipe can easily be doubled or even tripled if you need more servings. You can also halve it if you have less chicken.
  • Store any leftovers in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
A gold fork picking up a bite of chicken salad from a small white bowl.

Recipe FAQs

Do I have to use a rotisserie chicken?

You can use any cooked chicken you have on hand. A 3 pound bird will give you approximately 3 cups of shredded meat.

What if I’m dairy-free?

There are a lot of vegan options for both mayo and sour cream and even yogurt. Just make sure you are using products that are unsweetened and unflavored.

How can I serve this chicken salad?

I love eating this over salad greens or toast. You can also dip crackers into the salad.

two bowls of costco chicken salad served with water and lemon.

More Healthy Lunch Recipes You Might Like

Or, check out my entire index of clean eating lunch recipes.

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Chicken salad on a bed of greens on a white plate.

Costco Chicken Salad (Copycat Recipe)

★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews
Print Recipe

Description

Make a homemade version of the famous Costco Chicken Salad, but without any of the preservatives or questionable ingredients. This easy shredded chicken salad is great served on top of lettuce or toast. This recipe is gluten-free with dairy-free options.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 3–pound cooked rotisserie-style chicken, cooled and pulled apart into medium-sized pieces, bones and skin removed
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (for dairy-free diets, use a dairy-free version)
  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons sugar (leave out for sugar-free diets)
  • 6 celery ribs, finely diced
  • 1/2 white onion, finely diced

Instructions

  1. Place the cooked and cooled chicken in a food processor fitted with the “S” blade. Turn it on for about 15-20 seconds to shred the chicken. Or, you can also just use a sharp knife to finely chop the chicken for the salad. The Costco version is finely shredded.
  2. Place the finely shredded or chopped chicken in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
  3. Then, in a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, lemon juice, onion, salt, and sugar. Stir to combine until smooth.
  4. Pour the mayonnaise mixture over the chicken. Add the celery and onion and stir to combine.
  5. Serve immediately, or cover and chill until you’re ready to serve.

Notes

  1. Most cooked rotisserie chickens you find in grocery stores weigh about 2 pounds. The Costco rotisserie chickens weigh about 3 pounds.
  2. To reduce the amount of fat in this recipe, you can replace the sour cream with unsweetened Greek style yogurt, if you prefer.
  3. This recipe can easily be doubled or even tripled if you need more servings.
  4. Store any leftovers in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: chicken salad, copycat recipe, costco chicken salad

Don’t forget to join the Clean Eating Kitchen newsletter. You’ll get my Clean Eating Quick Start Guide, plus links to all the latest recipes.