Jalapeno Chicken Salad
Apr 13, 2026
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My jalapeño chicken salad recipe is a great copycat Chicken Salad Chick Jalapeño Holly. This simple recipe is creamy, flavorful, with just the right amount of heat making it perfect for sandwiches, on crackers, and more.
I am kind of obsessed with chicken salads. On a typical week, you will find some variation of chicken salad in my refrigerator. My latest favorite is this jalapeño chicken salad. It has just the perfect amount of heat to balance out the cool, creaminess of the chicken salad.
This recipe is a copycat version of one of my favorite restaurants, Chicken Salad Chick’s Jalapeno Holly. Since we no longer live close to one of these yummy restaurants, I’ve had to work on making my own, homemade version to enjoy.
To make this recipe, I used my copycat recipe for their Classic Carol chicken sandwich and added some delicious diced pickled jalapeños.
Want more chicken salad recipes, be sure to try this Sonoma chicken salad, pineapple chicken salad, and copycat Classic Carol Chicken Salad Chick recipe.
Ingredients
This chicken salad with jalapeños recipe requires just a few ingredients to make.
- Chicken: You can use your favorite cooked chicken. I like using chicken tenders because they cook up fast. You could also use shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Chicken broth: I use chicken broth to boil my chicken. It gives the chicken extra flavor. You can substitute with water if you don’t want to use broth.
- Mayonnaise: I recommend using Duke’s mayonnaise for the closest flavor to Chicken Salad Chick.
- Pickled jalapeños: Pickled jalapenos are not as spicy as fresh jalapenos.
- Celery: Use 1-2 stalks of celery depending on how crunchy you prefer your chicken salad.
- Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper: These are the basic seasonings for this easy chicken salad recipe.
How to make jalapeño chicken salad
This is an overview on how to make this copycat Chicken Salad Chick Jalapeno Holly recipe. Scroll to the bottom for the full, printable recipe.
Step one: Boil the chicken tenders in the chicken broth or water for 10-12 minutes or until cooked through.
Step two: Place the cooked chicken tenders in a food processor. Pulse a few times until shredded. You can also shred with a fork or in a mixer.
Step three: Place the shredded chicken, diced celery, diced pickled jalapeños, mayonnaise, and seasonings in a large bowl.
Step four: Stir until completely combine. You can taste to see if you would like to add more seasonings or more mayonnaise to make it creamier.
Step five: I recommend covering and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.
Recipe Tips
- There are several ways you can cook your chicken. You can boil, bake, or cook in the air fryer. You can also use a rotisserie chicken for this recipe.
- If using a food processor to shred your chicken, make sure not to over pulse the chicken.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of mayonnaise to your preferred creaminess.
- I recommend chilling this chicken salad for about an hour before serving.
Variations
- Creamier: If you prefer your chicken salad a little creamier, or if you are using extra chicken, you can add more mayonnaise to the mixture.
- Spicier: Want your chicken salad a little spicier? Substitute the pickled jalapenos with fresh jalapeno slices. You can also add more pickled jalapenos.
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt: For a little extra creaminess, you can add in a quarter cup of sour cream or plain greek yogurt.
- Jalapeno Popper: Stir in some cooked and crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese for extra flavor.
How to serve jalapeño chicken salad
This copycat Chicken Salad Chick Jalapeño Holly can be served in a number of ways.
Sandwich – Use your favorite bread like sourdough, wheat bread, croissants, and more.
Wrap – Serve in a tortilla or flat bread to make a wrap.
Salad – Place a scoop of chicken salad on top of a bed of lettuce.
Crackers – Serve the chicken salad on crackers, chips, or cut up veggies.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing this recipe.
Common questions
I would say this recipe is mild in spiciness.
You can use Miracle Whip instead of mayonnaise. The flavors will be a little different.
Yes, but I recommend use fresh chicken if possible.
More Chicken Salad Chick copycat recipes
- Copycat Chicken Salad Chick pimento cheese
- Copycat Chicken Salad Chick lemon basil chicken salad
- Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Cranberry Kelli
- Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Sassy Scotty
- Copycat Chicken Salad Chick broccoli salad
- Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Buffalo Barclay
- Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Fruity Fran
- Copycat Chicken Salad Chick grape salad
Jalapeno Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins
- 8 cups chicken broth or water
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- ⅓ cup pickled jalapeños, diced
- ½ teaspoon onion salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Bring the chicken broth or water to a boil in a large pot. Place the chicken tenders in the pot. Boil for 10-12 minutes or until they are cooked through.
- Place the cooked chicken tenders in a food processor. Pulse a few times to shred. You can also shred the chicken with a fork or with a mixer.
- Place the shredded chicken in a large bowl. Stir in the mayonnaise, diced celery, diced jalapenos, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Stir together until combined. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Video
Notes
- There are several ways you can cook your chicken. You can boil, bake, or cook in the air fryer. You can also use a rotisserie chicken for this recipe.
- If using a food processor to shred your chicken, make sure not to over pulse the chicken.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of mayonnaise to your preferred creaminess.
- I recommend chilling this chicken salad for about an hour before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
