My copycat Chicken Salad Chick lemon basil chicken salad has all of the delicious flavors of the restaurant favorite. Simple chicken salad with a burst of bright lemon flavor and fresh basil.

One thing I miss about living in Georgia is being able to visit the restaurant, Chicken Salad Chick. They have a delicious variety of chicken salads along with some really amazing side dishes, and it was always one of my favorite lunch spots.

Since I’m not able to go to the restaurant anymore, I set out to make copycat versions that I could enjoy at home. This copycat Chicken Salad Chick lemon basil chicken salad has become one of my new favorites.

This copycat chicken salad chick Lauryn’s lemon basil recipe is really easy to make using fresh lemon juice and fresh basil leaves. It’s light, flavorful, and perfect for sandwiches, wraps, and more.

Want more Chicken Salad Chick copycat recipes, be sure to try Classic Carol Chicken Salad Chick, copycat Chicken Salad Chick Cranberry Kelli, Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Sassy Scotty, Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad Recipe, Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Buffalo Barclay Recipe, and copycat Chicken Salad Chick Grape Salad.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• A great copycat recipe. If you don’t have Chicken Salad Chick close to you, it’s an easy copycat recipe to satisfy your craving.
• Fast and easy. A super simple recipe that can be prepared in about 30 minutes.
• Bright fresh flavor. The combination of fresh basil and lemon make a wonderful chicken salad.

Ingredients

Make this copycat Chicken Salad Chick Lauryn’s Lemon Basil chicken salad with simple ingredients.

• Chicken: I prefer using a pack of chicken tenders to make this recipe. They cook up fast and are tender. You can substitute with rotisserie chicken or leftover shredded chicken.
• Chicken Broth: I use this to cook the chicken tenders. The chicken broth adds flavor to the chicken. You can substitute with water or vegetable broth.
• Mayonnaise: A little mayonnaise makes this chicken salad nice and creamy. If you can find it, I recommend using Duke’s mayonnaise.
• Celery: Finely diced celery adds a little crunch and color.
• Lemon Juice. Fresh lemon juice adds bright, tangy flavor. If you want even more lemon flavor, add a little lemon zest.
• Basil: Fresh basil leaves add so much flavor to this recipe.
• Lemon pepper: Lemon pepper seasoning is used for this recipe. If you don’t have lemon pepper, you can use a little ground black pepper and lemon zest.
• Garlic powder, onion powder, salt
• Pecans: Chopped pecans add more crunch to this recipe.

How to make copycat Chicken Salad Chick Lemon Basil chicken salad

Note: If you are using rotisserie chicken or pre cooked chicken, you can skip steps one and two.

1. Pour the chicken broth in a large pot and bring to a boil over medium heat.
2. Add the chicken tenders to the boiling broth. Boil for 10-15 minutes or until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

3. Place the chicken tenders in a food processor.
4. Pulse until the chicken is shredded. If you don’t have a food processor you can shred the chicken with a fork.

5. Place the chicken, mayonnaise, basil, celery, pecans, lemon juice, lemon pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt in a bowl.
6. Stir to combine the ingredients.
7. Serve or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Heather’s recipe tips

• You can adjust the mayonnaise. This is an easily customizable recipe. If you like your chicken salad creamier, you can add a little extra mayonnaise.
• Don’t over shred the chicken. You should only need to pulse the chicken once or twice in the food processor. You can also shred the chicken with a fork in a mixer.
• Dice the celery small and chop the pecans into small pieces.
• Chill the chicken salad in the refrigerator. I like to chill mine in the refrigerator for at least an hour to let the flavors come together.
• Double the recipe for a crowd. If you are serving more than 2 people, I recommend doubling the recipe.

Copycat Lauryn’s lemon basil variations

You can easily customize this recipe to your preference. Here are a few ideas:

• Substitute the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt for a slightly tangy taste.
• You can leave out the pecans or substitute with slivered almonds.
• Add more herbs like fresh parsley, chives, or even dill.

How to serve lemon basil chicken salad

There are several great ways to serve this recipe.

• Sandwich: Scoop this on bread like a croissant, wheat bread, sourdough bread, and more.
• On lettuce: Serve on a bed of your favorite greens.
• Crackers: It’s great served with crackers or even potato chips.
• Wrap: This is great in a tortilla or flatbread.

Storage instructions

Store any leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure to give it a stir before serving.

This does not freeze well.

Frequently asked questions

Chicken salad side dishes

Serve this with a side of:

• Copycat Chicken Salad Chick grape salad
• Copycat Chicken Salad Chick broccoli salad