Copycat Costco Chicken Salad
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Costco Chicken Salad takes this classic dish to new heights! Say bye-bye to store-bought meals with this easy copycat recipe. With zesty seasonings, fresh herbs and vegetables, and juicy, succulent chicken, there’s no way this simple, easy dish won’t satisfy.
Table of Contents
Costco Chicken Salad
Costco’s classic chicken salad is a cult favorite for very good reason!!
Basically, they’re keeping it simple and scrumptious with juicy, tender shredded chicken, a few key spices, and the right combination of sour cream and mayonnaise.
It’s mouthwateringly tangy, succulent, and downright delicious!
But here’s the thing… you don’t need to buy their prepared version to enjoy it. Nope! You can save some money by whipping up a homemade version that’s arguably even tastier than the original!
See, I’m something of a chicken salad aficionado — have you checked out my saucy barbecue, spicy Southwestern, or herbal lemon basil versions yet?
That’s all to say… I’m not new to chicken salad, and I guarantee this copycat Costco chicken salad recipe will be your new favorite!!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Rotisserie Chicken – The original chicken salad from Costco is, of course, made from rotisserie meat!
I recommend shredding it while it’s still warm to make it easier to handle. It really starts to stick to the bones once it cools. You can also do this with a food processor or stand mixer! - Celery & Onion – Dice these up super finely and mix them thoroughly into the meat for a good balance of flavor and texture in every bite.
- Mayonnaise & Sour Cream – Fatty ingredients like these are key to a rich, full-flavored chicken salad!
However, you can easily substitute the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a healthier, tangier option. - Lemon Juice – I like my Costco chicken salad super tangy! Reduce to 2 tablespoons if you want your dressing a little less intense.
- Parsley – Sub in fresh parsley for a brighter, more vibrant taste. You can also substitute with chives, green onions, or dill!
- Garlic Powder – Adds savory goodness without any large chunks of fresh cloves. You can substitute this ingredient with onion powder.
- Paprika – Substitute with chili powder or cayenne to give your Costco rotisserie chicken salad a little kick.
Tips and Tricks to Make Costco Rotisserie Chicken Salad at Home
- Give it a little crunch.
Add some crunch factor to your Costco chicken salad by tossing sliced almonds, cashews, chopped walnuts, or sunflower seeds into this dish.
Toasted nuts are usually crunchier — and they have a better flavor too!
You can usually find them pre-toasted, but it’s easy to toast them in a dry skillet for the same effect.
- Make it ahead of time for convenience and extra flavor!
Making this dish ahead of time isn’t only time-effective. It gives the meat more time to soak up all of those yummy seasonings, which makes it taste even better the next day!
I’d recommend whipping it up the day before for best results.
- Like a sweeter salad?
Diced apples, halved grapes, and dried cranberries are super fresh (and healthy!) extras that’ll give your meal a little more sweetness.
You can also add a teaspoon of honey to both offset the tanginess of the dressing and make it a little sweeter. Add that right to the dressing before it’s mixed in with the meat.
Prep Ahead
- Shred rotisserie meat
- Chop vegetables
- Whisk the dressing
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Mixing Bowls – You’ll want large and medium bowls for this recipe, and this set has them all.
- Quality Knives and a big solid Cutting Board make prepping a breeze and are well worth the investment.
- Whisk – Mix this up with a good whisk (this one is my favorite) — or just use a fork!
Serving Suggestions
There are tons of ways to enjoy your Costco chicken salad! Spoon it onto sliders or sliced bread to make sandwiches, serve it as a wrap, or scoop it onto some buttery homemade croissants.
Want to make it a low-carb meal? Serve it in lettuce wraps, with low-carb crackers, over a bed of fresh greens, or even stuff it into an avocado!
As for sides, crispy sweet potato fries and Costco rotisserie chicken salad is a match made in tasty heaven, and a fresh summer fruit salad always hits the spot!
Storing and Freezing Chicken Salad from Costco
Keep your yummy leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
With all of the mayonnaise and sour cream in the mix, it’s very important that you don’t leave it at room temperature for longer than two hours!
This Costco chicken salad recipe is also awesome for making in bulk and freezing! Just let it thaw in the fridge for at least a few hours before you want to serve it.
Thawing will go a lot quicker if you portion and freeze it separately, too — pro tip!
Costco Chicken Salad Recipe FAQ
You sure can! A few of our usual favorite add-ins are perfect for this — chopped hard-boiled eggs, crumbled bacon, and nuts.
And if you substitute the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt (or just a portion of it), that adds protein too!
This recipe yields 6 servings. It’s super easy to double (or even triple!) too, so if you have lots of hungry mouths to feed, it won’t take you any longer to do so.
Just note that if you make a lot it will take longer than 30 minutes to chill, so plan accordingly or chill in separate batches.
I’m personally a fan of rotisserie — it’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s cheap! It’s also the closest to the original chicken salad from Costco.
However, you can absolutely make this recipe with poached, baked, or grilled poultry if that’s what you have at home… or if that’s just what you prefer! It’s all a matter of what you like best.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Copycat Costco Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken, about 1 whole rotisserie chicken
- 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup yellow onion, finely minced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, about 1 large lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley, or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the meat from the rotisserie chicken, discarding the skin and bones. Shred into bite-sized pieces and place in a large mixing bowl.
- Chop the Vegetables: Finely chop the celery and onion, then add them to the bowl with the chicken.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, and lemon juice until smooth and creamy.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in the garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and parsley until fully incorporated.
- Combine & Chill: Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and gently fold everything together until evenly coated.
- Refrigerate & Serve: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled on a sandwich, over greens, or with crackers. Enjoy!
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published July 2025
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Weโre Donna and Chad, the dream team behind The Slow Roasted Italian. Our focus is on taking complicated OUT of the kitchen. Life is busy enough, making meals should be fast and easy, to help make your life as simple as possible. Read More >>
