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 and tastes just like the store version.

Large serving bowl of green lettuce topped with costco 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.

You may have had the Costco version and enjoyed its combination of textures and flavors. It’s really delicious!

In this copycat version, I’ll show you how to make it at home using simple ingredients. Save money and enjoy it even if you don’t have time to make a trip to Costco.

Costco Chicken Salad Recipe Benefits

  • Skip the trip to Costco and make the exact version at home instead. You’ll also have control over the quality of ingredients when you make your own homemade version.
  • This salad is super easy to make in whatever quantity you need. It’s perfect for a potluck or if you want to meal prep lunch for the week.
  • Store your Costco chicken salad in individual containers in the fridge for lunch on the go. Or, put it on bread for an amazing chicken salad sandwich.

Ingredients You’ll Need

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. You can also make it using a cooked Costco rotisserie chicken, cooked chicken breasts, or even canned chicken.
  • Mayo and sour cream add creaminess and the perfect amount of tang. Use dairy-free versions for dairy-free diets.
  • Celery and sweet 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.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Recipe Steps

Let me show you how to make this copycat famous chicken salad!

Process photos for mixing up a bowl of costco chicken salad.

Step One

Combine the mayo and sour cream with all seasonings.

Please 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.

The Costco version uses finely shredded seasoned chicken, but does not specify if it is white meat chicken breast or shredded rotisserie chicken. You can use a hand mixer to re-create the finely shredded cooked chicken if you like.

Otherwise, just use two forks to shred it as finely as you can.

Step Three

Add crunchy diced celery and onion and combine well.

Step Four

Serve immediately or refrigerate and chill before serving.

This is a great option the next time you want one of those easy recipes that tastes great even after a few days in the refrigerator. Leftover chicken salad almost tastes better the next day after you make it!

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

Recipe Tips

  • 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.
  • Want a fun variation of this salad? Try my Ensalada de Pollo Salad (Mexican Chicken Salad)! You can also add other optional ingredients including poppy seeds, green onions, black pepper, garlic powder, or whatever flavors you like. Chopped green grapes would also be great!
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 for chicken salad?

You can use any cooked chicken you have on hand. A 3 pound bird will give you approximately 3 cups of shredded meat. The authentic Costco chicken salad uses seasoned cooked chicken.

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.

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

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Print
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Chicken salad on a bed of greens on a white plate.

Costco Chicken Salad (Copycat Recipe)

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.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 3pound 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.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
  • Calories: 241
  • Sugar: 2.1 g
  • Sodium: 315.5 mg
  • Fat: 16.6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 4.2 g
  • Fiber: 0.7 g
  • Protein: 17.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 58.9 mg

Keywords: chicken salad, copycat recipe, costco chicken salad

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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition. She is a top wellness and food blogger with nearly 10 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.