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Chicken Salad Croissant Sandwiches

This chicken salad croissant sandwich recipe is perfect for a summer picnic, a light lunch, or a simple weeknight dinner. It’s easy to make and even easier to eat! The creamy chicken salad perfectly balances the sweetness of the grapes and the crunch of the almonds. And who can resist a flaky, buttery croissant? You’ll be asked for the recipe, so be ready!

And yes, sandwiches DO count as dinner. They are one of my favorite easy dinner recipes.

front shot of filled croissant sandwich on plate.

Chicken Salad Croissant Sandwiches

This classic chicken salad gets a delicious upgrade when served in flaky, buttery croissants. Makes 4-6 servings.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Serving Size 6 servings

Ingredients 

  • 3 chicken breasts split, bone-in, skin-on (about 2 ½ pounds or 5 cups chopped or shredded cooked chicken)
  • Olive oil
  • Salt
  • Coursely-ground black pepper
  • 1 ¼ cups mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar or red wine vinegar
  • 2 ½ tablespoons sugar
  • 1 ½ cups red seedless grapes sliced in half
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • cup sliced scallions divided ½ cup + 2 tablespoons
  • ½ cup sliced almonds
  • cup dried cranberries
  • 4-6 croissants sliced in half
  • Optional: green leaf lettuce and tomato slices for serving

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Instructions 

  • Preheat oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Cook chicken. Rub olive oil on the chicken breasts and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place chicken on a sheet pan and roast for 45-55 minutes (depending on the size of the chicken breasts) until the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit when checked with a meat thermometer. Remove from oven and let cool.
  • Make the dressing. While the chicken cools, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, sugar, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt or sugar if desired. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator.
    overhead shot of dressing in bowl on counter.
  • Chop chicken. Remove the skin and bones from the chicken and shred or chop the chicken into bite-size pieces.
    overhead shot of chopped chicken pieces in bowl on counter.
  • Combine. In a large bowl, combine chicken, grapes, celery, ½ cups scallions, almonds, and cranberries. Fold in refrigerated dressing and garnish with additional scallions.
    2 image collage of overhead shots of ingredients and dressing combined in bowl.
  • Serve. Serve chicken salad immediately in croissants with lettuce or lettuce and tomato if desired.

Notes

  • You can use boneless, skinless chicken, rotisserie, or leftover chicken.
  • Depending on the size of the chicken breasts, the chicken can take up to 55-60 minutes to cook. Checking it with a meat thermometer before removing it from the oven is a good idea.
Calories: 765kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 53g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 23g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 125mg | Sodium: 1063mg | Potassium: 851mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 5003IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 3mg

I’m kind of obsessed with this chicken salad. It’s so easy to throw together and always tastes fantastic. I love the combination of the creamy dressing, the juicy grapes, and the crunchy almonds. It’s seriously the perfect bite! Plus, it’s so versatile. Sometimes, I make it for lunch, and other times, I use it for a quick and easy dinner. It’s a lifesaver on busy weeknights!

front shot of filled croissant sandwich on cutting board with grapes on the side and behind.

This chicken salad is also my go-to for easy entertaining. It’s a total crowd-pleaser. I’ve brought it to potlucks, picnics, and even baby showers, and it always disappears first. It’s one of my favorite sandwich recipes to feed a crowd.

Chicken Salad Tips

  • Don’t overcook the chicken! Dry chicken equals sad chicken salad. Use a meat thermometer and pull those chicken breasts out when they hit 165°F. See this article on how to tell if meat is cooked properly.
  • Chill out: Make sure your dressing is nice and cold before you mix it into the chicken salad. This helps keep everything fresh and flavorful.
  • Grape expectations: Use seedless grapes for easy eating. No one wants to bite into a surprise seed!
  • Toast it up: For an extra layer of deliciousness, try toasting the croissants before you fill them. It adds a nice crunch!

Key Ingredients and Tools

Here are a few important ingredients and tools that will help you make the best chicken salad croissants:

overhead shot of ingredients on counter.
  • Meat Thermometer. A meat thermometer is the key to perfectly cooked chicken every time. No more guessing or cutting into the chicken to check if it’s done! Just stick the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken breast and make sure it reaches 165°F.
  • Dijon Mustard. Not all mustards are created equal! Dijon mustard has a bit of a kick that regular yellow mustard doesn’t have. It adds an excellent depth of flavor to the dressing. You can usually find it near the other mustards and condiments in your grocery store.
  • Good Quality Mayonnaise. Since mayonnaise is the base of the dressing, using a good quality one will make a big difference in the overall flavor of your chicken salad.
  • Good Quality Croissants. Since the croissants are a major part of this recipe, make sure you choose fresh and flaky ones. Your local bakery is a great place to find delicious croissants.

These key ingredients and tools will help you create a chicken salad that’s bursting with flavor!

Serving Suggestions

Serve with potato salad, pasta salad, a fresh fruit salad, and chocolate chip cookies for an easy and delicious meal.

Troubleshooting and Help

Can I use a different kind of vinegar?

Absolutely! Red wine vinegar has a nice mellow flavor, but white vinegar works just fine if you don’t have any. You could even try apple cider vinegar for a slightly sweeter taste. Just keep in mind that the flavor of the dressing will change a bit depending on the type of vinegar you use.

I don’t have any croissants. Can I use something else?

Of course! Croissants are definitely delicious, but this chicken salad is fantastic on any bread. Try it on your favorite rolls, sliced bread, or sourdough pita. You could even make it a lettuce wrap for a lighter option!

Can I make this chicken salad ahead of time?

You bet! It’s a great make-ahead recipe. The chicken salad can be stored in the fridge for up to three days. I recommend adding the almonds right before serving so they stay nice and crunchy.

My family doesn’t like grapes. What else could I use?

No problem! Grapes add sweetness, but you can easily swap them out for something else. Chopped apples, dried cranberries, or even mandarin oranges would be delicious. Just use what you love!

I’m happy to help with any other questions you might have about this recipe! Just leave a comment below, and I’ll do my best to answer it. 😊

Storing Leftovers

Fridge:

  • This chicken salad is best enjoyed fresh, but you can definitely store it in the fridge for later!
  • Just pop it in an airtight container; it should stay there for 3-4 days.

Freezing? Not so much.

  • I wouldn’t recommend freezing this chicken salad.
  • The mayonnaise in the dressing tends to separate when frozen and thawed, which can make the texture a little weird.
  • It’s best to make it fresh and enjoy it within a few days.

There you have it! A simple, delicious chicken salad croissant sandwich recipe that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re enjoying a casual lunch at home or packing a picnic for a sunny afternoon, these croissant sandwiches will surely be a hit. With just a few simple ingredients and a little time, you can create a satisfying and flavorful meal.

close up side shot of filled croissant sandwich on plate.
picture of smiling female

By Katie Shaw

Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.

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