Cold Cucumber Chicken Salad

Some things just say summer, and this cucumber chicken salad is one of them. You can serve it on croissants, crackers, or (my favorite!) make a cold plate with some cubed cheese and fresh fruit.

If you’re growing cucumbers at home, this is just one of many recipes to enjoy your cuke harvest.

Cucumber Chicken Salad

A classic and refreshing dish, this chicken salad adds plenty of fresh veggies for flavor and crunch. Tossed in a light and tangy dressing, this salad is perfect for a quick lunch or a healthy dinner.

Prep Time 10

Chilling time 30

Total Time 40

Serving Size servings

Ingredients

For the Dressing:

¾ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 clove garlic (minced)
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

For the Salad:

2 cups cooked chicken breast (shredded or cubed)
1 whole large cucumber (diced)
½ cup red bell pepper (finely diced)
¼ cup red onion (finely diced)

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Instructions

Make the dressing. In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, garlic, salt, and black pepper until it's smooth.
Combine the ingredients. Add the cooked chicken to a large mixing bowl and pour the dressing over it. Then, gently fold the diced cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion until evenly coated.
Chill. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Garnish and serve. If you like, you can add some fresh herbs like parsley or dill, or put a lemon wedge on the side. It's good with a croissant, on top of lettuce, or just by itself.

Notes

If cucumbers aren’t firm, your salad won’t be crispy. Choose cucumbers that are solid with smooth skins. If you’re picking your own, make sure they’re still crunchy. Peeling them is an option if the skin feels rough.

After letting the salad cool in the fridge, taste it. The flavors might have softened, so you might need to add more salt, pepper, or a dash of lemon juice before serving it to make it taste better.

This salad works well with a lot of different additions. To enhance its taste, you can mix in things like avocado, feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, or fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or cilantro. Just keep the flavors balanced—if you add something salty like feta cheese, you might need to tweak the seasoning a bit.

For extra texture, throw in some toasted almonds, sunflower seeds, or chopped pecans. It gives a nice crunch that complements the creamy dressing well.

The fresh cucumbers mixed with soft chicken and the creamy, slightly garlicky dressing is just too good. It’s hardly in the fridge before everyone starts to scoop some out.

chicken salad with cucumbers on lettuce.

This is one of our favorite summer dishes. It’s easy (wonderful) and keeps your kitchen cool (even better.)

Chicken Salad Tips

Instead of cutting the chicken into cubes, I prefer to shred it for a change in texture. Shredded chicken blends more smoothly with the dressing and makes the salad more uniform in texture.
Remember to put the salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. It’s not just about cooling it down. The longer it sits (up to a few hours), the better it will be.

Key Ingredients and Tools

White wine vinegar: This adds a tangy kick to the dressing. If you don’t have it, you can substitute apple cider vinegar or lemon juice for a similar acidity.

Mayonnaise: It’s the base of the dressing and gives the salad its creamy texture. For a lighter and healthier option, you can swap some of the mayo for Greek yogurt without sacrificing creaminess.

Fresh cucumbers: The crunch from fresh cucumbers is key to making this salad refreshing. You can find them in the produce section, and English or Persian cucumbers work especially well if you like fewer seeds. If you’re a fan of cucumber-based dishes, you’ll want to try my cucumber and onion salad. It’s a simple side perfect for summer meals and pairs well with just about anything.

Red bell pepper: This adds sweetness and crunch to the salad. Look for firm, brightly colored peppers in the produce section, or swap them with yellow or orange bell peppers if preferred.

Rotisserie chicken: If you’re pressed for time, a store-bought rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut. It’s flavorful and saves you the step of cooking the chicken yourself.

Garlic press: A handy tool for mincing garlic quickly and evenly, which helps blend it better into the dressing. Finely chop the garlic with a knife if you don’t have one.

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Serving Suggestions

You can serve this salad with croissants, a mixed green salad, a fresh fruit platter, and a glass of strawberry iced tea.

Troubleshooting and Help

What’s the best way to cook the chicken for this recipe?

If you don’t have leftover chicken, poaching is a quick and easy method. Just simmer the chicken breasts in water or broth for about 15-20 minutes until they’re cooked through, then shred or cube them once they’re cool. Rotisserie chicken is also a great shortcut if you’re short on time.

Can I use canned chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can! Canned chicken works fine if you’re in a pinch or don’t have time to cook fresh chicken. Drain it well and break it into smaller pieces before mixing it in.

What herbs go well with this salad?

Fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or cilantro pair beautifully with the flavors in this salad. You can sprinkle them on top as a garnish or mix them into the salad for an extra burst of freshness.

Can I make this salad dairy-free?

Yes, you can! Just use a dairy-free mayonnaise or substitute it with a vegan mayo. The remaining ingredients are naturally dairy-free, so it’s an easy swap.

Storage Instructions

To store this salad, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it immediately. It will stay fresh for 2-3 days, but give it a good stir before serving, as the dressing may settle. If you’ve added ingredients like avocado or fresh herbs, it’s best to keep those separate and add them just before serving.

Unfortunately, this salad doesn’t freeze well because the mayonnaise-based dressing can separate, and the fresh veggies like cucumbers can become mushy and lose their crisp texture after thawing.

This is great for lunch, dinner, or meal prep for a busy week. You can tweak it with whatever extras you like, making it the right choice when you want something easy but fulfilling.

Cold Cucumber Chicken Salad