Jalapeño Chicken Salad is a flavor bomb! Loaded with pickled jalapenos, fresh pepper, a hint of garlic, cilantro, and so much more! Use rotisserie chicken to make this super quick and easy!

If you’re looking for THE chicken salad of the season, look no further.

Fluffy. The only texture I need to describe this chicken salad recipe. The dressing has just enough mayo to hold the whole thing together and it’s the ideal texture to serve this on a cucumber boat, cracker, or between homemade bread slices.

Jalapeno Chicken Salad is speckled with pickled jalapenos, fresh jalapeños, a dollop of mayonnaise, a sprinkle of cilantro, and a handful of shredded cheese. It’s giving jalapeno popper chicken salad, minus the crispy bacon, and turning the flavor volume way, way up.

For busy work days, homemade chicken salad is the perfect grab and go easy lunch – just pop it into a wrap, lettuce wrap, serve with crunchy veggies, crackers, and pickles spears. 

• Chicken: I start with oven roasted chicken breasts but you can certainly use a rotisserie chicken to make this quick and easy. I also have a recipe of for instant pot pulled chicken that would work well.
• Mayo: I typically like to use a little butter, some softened cream cheese, and maybe even a little sour cream in my chicken salad recipes. I even make a healthy chicken salad with Greek yogurt. But for this particular salad, I use just mayo, it makes one heck of a creamy dressing that clings to the chicken and works best.
• Fresh Jalapenos: or even serrano peppers add freshness to the recipe. Based on your preference, you can omit this or use something more mild like green bell peppers.
• Pickled Jalapenos: I use the tamed variety so they pack a pickled punch without too much heat. You’ll also need some of the pickling liquid to cut through the richness of the mayo!
• Mustard: I use yellow mustard for this, no dijon. This brand and flavor specifically are my go-to. It has such a yummy flavor that works well in this recipe.
• Seasonings: I use garlic powder and kosher salt and honestly, you don’t need much else. Feel free to flavor it with what you like, onion powder or even a sprinkle of chipotle chili powder
• Fresh Cilantro: gives this earthiness, which pairs well with jalapeños. If you aren’t a fan, you can omit this or swap it for fresh parsley.
• Shredded Cheese: I like to use jalapeno Colby jack, but sharp cheddar cheese or even a Mexican cheese blend would work here

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