Creamy Smoked Chicken Salad

Creamy smoked chicken salad is a favorite summertime meal at our house. It's great to make ahead and serve on hot days when you just want to hang outside or at the pool. Some people like to shred it, but I like dicing it into small nuggets of goodness.

Either way, it'll be a hit. Smoking the chicken adds so much flavor. You can use it on croissants, wraps, salads, or crackers. Serving with strawberries, grapes and cashews will have your crew wanting more.

Winner, winner chicken dinner croissant!

✔ Takeaways

• If ya don't have a smoker, just grill the chicken with charcoal - it will still be much more flavorful than frying on the stovetop.
• Be sure to hide a secret stash for yourself and make sure Leela doesn't know where it is.
• If you don't like Craisins, leave them out.
• If you don't like Craisins, please exit The Hotel, stage left.
• Adding grapes instead, if eating within one or two days, is just as delicious.

📖 Recipe

Smoked Chicken Salad

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★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

Chicken salad is so refreshing on a hot summer day. Smoking the chicken adds to the flavor. It is great for leftovers if you are lucky to have them. I always make a huge batch and serve it for lunch. Great on croissants, wraps, crackers, or served over a bed of greens with strawberries, grapes and cashews. You can’t go wrong!

• Author: Heather Kozik
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 90
• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 5-6 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Pellet Grill
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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• 8 cups diced, smoked chicken breast
• 2 cups chopped celery
• 1 cup  chopped red onion
• ½ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
• 2 cups mayonnaise plus more if desired
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 1 cup Ocean Spray Craisins
• Salt & pepper
• Juice from one lemon

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Instructions

Let's Get Started

1. Heat pellet grill to 225˚ Super Smoke if available.
2. Once heated place chicken thighs coated with Traeger Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy Rub on the grill and smoke until 165˚ internal temperature. You can you any rub you like.  This could take 1 ½ hours or longer depending on the size of the thighs. Remove from grill and let rest.

Prepare the Dressing

1. In the meantime, chop celery and onion, and then add the Craisins.
2. Whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream and lemon juice then add to the mix above and season. 

Finish Up

1. Once the chicken has cooled dice and mix in. 

Notes

I’m usually just mixing this stuff up in no particular order. Sometimes I may add more onion, celery, or Craisins. We like a creamier chicken salad. Adjust the mayonnaise to your own taste. Make this your own!

Keywords: smoked chicken salad