I’ve tried making chicken salad all different ways (even using the dreaded processed store bought mayo), but I've finally found the perfect recipe with this Sour Cream and Onion Chicken Salad. It makes a great snack or appetizer any day of the week!
Want to Save this Recipe?
Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
My older daughter has always claimed that she “doesn’t like chicken salad.” Well, that girl changed her mind super fast when one day I introduced this combination: Sour Cream and Onion Chicken Salad!
This stuff is good with crackers, veggies, pretzels, and even just by itself. Trust me. Give it a go and you’ll see what all the fuss is about!
Sour Cream and Onion Chicken Salad
I’ve tried making chicken salad all different ways (even using the dreaded processed store bought mayo), but I've finally found the perfect recipe with this Sour Cream and Onion Chicken Salad. It makes a great snack or appetizer any day of the week!
Print Recipe
Servings: 4 people
Save Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken (cooked, and shredded or diced)
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons dried minced onion (sold in spice aisle)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients together thoroughly.
- Serve with whole-grain crackers or fresh veggies. This chicken salad would also be great with bits of celery mixed in!
Notes
This dish is best if made in advance so the minced onion has time to soften before eating, but don’t let that stop you from eating it right away.
Check out my favorite way to prepare chicken here – The Best Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot
Have you wondered if sour cream is a real food? Answer that question here – Cheese and Other Dairy Products: Are They Processed?
We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
Sour Cream and Onion Chicken Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 115
Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Cholesterol 35mg12%
Sodium 188mg8%
Potassium 92mg3%
Carbohydrates 1g0%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 6g12%
Vitamin A 215IU4%
Vitamin C 0.7mg1%
Calcium 35mg4%
Iron 0.3mg2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Want weekly REAL FOOD meal plans made for you?→ Check It Out
As someone who really hates mayo,I will definitely be giving this a try!
I made this the other day. My husband thought it was delicious and he’s never liked any “salads.” Tuna, chicken,etc.
I made this and it’s definitely going in the permanent file. I added about a half cup of diced celery, about two tablespoons of chopped scallions and an extra tablespoon of sour cream. I also adjusted the salt, it needed just a bit more. My husband loved this. He took it for lunch to work and is taking the last of it for a sandwich while he is fishing. We ate it in pitas with Roma tomatoes and a little baby spinach. He has already requested I make it again. Tomorrow!!
I didn’t think anyone could beat my chicken salad recipe, but the switch from mayo to sour cream made it so much better! I added some dill too….Yum!
I tried this today and it is absolutely amazing. I even added a little milk kefir to make it a bit more wet since I added more chicken than the recipe called for. Thanks for such a fabulous recipe!!!
Do you have the nutrition facts (calories, sugars, protein, fat, etc.) for your recipes? Loved the recipe!
Hello Jenn. We do not provide nutrition information on our recipes. Our focus is on helping people cut out processed food while replacing them with real/whole foods. These posts help explain our philosophy: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/01/04/healthy-eating-defined/, https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/01/23/portion-size-matters/, and https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/10-reasons-to-cut-out-processed-food/. ~Amy
Thanks for the recipe! I tried it last night and it was bit too much onion for my family. I will definitely try it again with 1/2 the minced onion.
I have ALWAYS HATED mayo and any other substitute, thus I’ve never liked chicken or tuna salad. So one day I got the idea to use sour cream instead, (which I’ve always liked) to make my own version…and it was SOOOO good. This was years ago back in my college days and everyone I told thought I was nuts, but I didn’t care because it was delicious!! I’m SO glad you are sharing this recipe so others can experience its greatness!!
I’ll be honest – I was skeptical as I am a bit squeamish towards many dairy products, but this recipe delivers! I added celery and some sliced red grapes and it was YUM. My son has a life threatening allergy to dairy, but I am betting Tofutti’s dairy free sour cream could work if you don’t have avocados on hand.
Yum! Just made it for lunch, although I did not have dried minced onion, I minced some fresh, added celery and some fresh chives to the recipe… simply delish!
I just made this for lunch with left over chicken breast from last nights dinner. This is going to be a great addition to my husbands lunch! It was soooooo good, I didn’t want to save any for later! The sour cream is a way better taste than mayo! Thanks Lisa!
HI. Love your site, just started to look at your recipes. I was wondering if you list the nutritional values; calories, carbs, etc.
Thanks
Going to make it with Greek yogurt !
An idea for anyone looking to replace the dairy (its a no go, we have an Epi-pen for a dairy allergy in my house) that’s a real food is…mashed avocado and a splash of lemon or lime juice. Doesn’t do well with the whole make ahead of time, but if its all going to be eaten at once.
I’m intrigued by the whole sour cream addition. Might have to give this a whirl at work ;-)
I’m definitely making this for dinner tonight! I might add some mild chilies but will wait to see what I feel like later today.
Made it for dinner – so yummy! I think all of my kids had seconds, even the one who doesn’t generally like sour cream. I didn’t add any chilies after all, and I liked it just the way it came out :) Thanks for the recipe!
hmmm…think this sour cream make-over would work for tuna salad as well?
I tried to make over my family’s favorite tuna salad with greek yogurt and they were not big fans of the change!
Hi April. Give it a try! :) ~Amy
This sounds delish! Want woudl be an approx serving size?
You can also make homemade mayo with eggs, lemon juice and some olive oil. Many recipes online. Use an immersion blender – takes about 3 minutes. Yummy!
Made this last night for dinner. Delicious! My husband and 12 month old son gobbled it up. Thank you for making real food taste so good. Your recipes make it easy to please every member of my family.
Has anyone tried it with plain greek yogurt? I’m lactose intolerant so Sour Cream is my second worst enemy (Cream Cheese is number one). Thanks!
Hi Rose. Greek yogurt is a common substitute for sour cream, though we’ve not tried it in this recipe. ~Amy
This looks delicious. I LOVE chicken salad! I make mine with sour cream as well, as a clean alternative to mayo (great with tuna, too!). Your blog is so amazing and was my inspiration to start eating real food and to start my own real food blog. Thank you so much for all you do (and for this recipe!)
Lisa I have loved following your site. I know this is just a drop in the bucket but I’ve nominated you for The Sunshine Award! (You can follow the link for more award details.) Just wanted to let you know from one blogger to another that I appreciate all you do! And I bought my first glass storage jars and tried out your crockpot refried beans…fabulous!!
– Karen Barnes
I really love your blog, and I hate to criticize, but…I don’t see how onion powder and garlic powder fits with real food. I have a long way to go with improving my family’s eating, but powders, especially ones like onion and garlic, which are a snap to replace with the real thing, were one of the first things I eliminated.
This recipe looks great, but I was really disappointed with the powder thing.
i dont quite understand your concern? The powders are simply dehydraded onion/garlic that are ground into a powder.
I made this tonight for dinner and it was so good. I diced up one stalk of celery in in and also diced up about half of a medium sized apple and served it on a croissant and it was so so good. My kids weren’t wild about it but they are pretty picky about new foods so I’m not giving up yet. My husband and I loved it.
I have been unable to eat chicken salad because it’s always mayo based which I would almost wish I WAS allergic because people don’t understand when there’s something you just can’t eat!! Thank you so much for this.. I will be making it this week!! Can’t wait!
Hi, I love your blog and its been such an encouragement and help to me as my family and I are transitioning to more healthy eating! And I’m definitely going to have to try this new recipe too!
I was wondering though I’m pregnant and am wanting to get some meals together for after the baby comes so we don’t fall back into fast food and “easy” meals that aren’t so healthy. Do you have any ideas of some meals, mainly dinners with chicken or beef, either I could freeze beforehand or would be quick and easy meals especially for a almost 2 year old by that time and 3 year old who are picky eaters)? Thank you for any help! I just don’t want to fall off the train of healthy eating because we have a new baby and I won’t have as much time to devote to cooking/baking. :)
Here you go. http://www.home-ec101.com/how-to-choose-freezer-friendly-recipes/
I think a lot of the recipes on this site could be made in advance and frozen. Another tip is to freeze ‘prep stuff’, i.e browned hamburger, meatballs, shredded chicken, etc and then all you (or your husband) need to do is pull out ingredients and something can be put together fairly quickly.
Hello! Congrats! You are going to have your hands full(er). :) I would encourage you to comb through the recipe index:https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/real-food-resources/recipe-index/ and pick out favorites that will work for your family. Most of the recipes will freeze well and you can do it bit by bit. Best wishes! ~Amy
What crackers are featured in the photo above? The look delicious, I would like to get some to go with this salad. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
I would also like to know which crackers are in the photo above. I love ak-mak but need to mix it up now and then :)
Hi there. Pretty sure those are Crunchmaster which are a favorite in my house, too. :) ~Amy
Would you mind doing a post of all the approved crackers and where you find them? I have just been buying Ak-Mak and Triscuits. I too would like to mix it up, but I didn’t know other cracker choices were available. I am especially interested in kid friendly crackers.
Hi Kristin. It is really a pretty short list. You might also see whole wheat matzo, as well as Crunchmaster brand crackers. One other good brand is Mary’s gone crackers. Also, Lisa makes her own cheddar crackers: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/03/23/recipe-easy-cheesy-crackers/. ~Amy
Thanks, I tried the homemade goldfish recipe a few years ago and was not impressed. Not very cheesy and rather greasy. Most other homemade whole wheat cracker recipes have sugar in them. There is a vendor at my farmer’s market that sells homemade whole wheat crackers with real ingredients, unfortunately all varieties contain added sweetener.
We use an almost identical mixture for a hot hand pie filling. Simply make some whole wheat pie crust and cut out circles using a salad or appetizer plate, put some of this in the middle, fold in half and pinch to seal. then bake the hand pies until the crust is done – delicious!
I can’t wait to try this! I love how simple it is. Will definitely go by the recipe the first time, but I love how it leaves it open for some additions if wanted like celery, grapes, nuts, etc. I’ve never been a mayonnaise fan, so I love this alternative!
I just cooked off a turkey so I will be making this for lunch tomorrow. Can’t wait to try it!!!
I love chicken salad, never would have thought about making it with sour cream, Can’t wait to give it a try.
http://www.laramealor.com/51-simple-life-messages-daughter-2/
Ill def have to try it this way but I might add celery, grapes, and dill (herb) to mine
Have you tried fresh onion??
Not in this recipe, Marty, but I am sure fresh onion would be a nice addition. ~Amy
Try mixing the shredded chicken with a 5 oz. container of plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and adding chopped walnuts. Delicious.
Wonderful!!! This is my new go to chicken salad recipe.
Thank you!
I’ve been making chic mayo sandwiches since my school days.. the recipe is almost the same but using mayo instead of sour cream (store bought mayo tho), and i put diced onions & shredded carrots, slapped into fresh lettuce & whole wheat bread. Wonder how it’ll taste with sour cream.. gotta give it a try!
I think that English peas would be good in this chicken salad as well!
Im guessing 3 days ! I don’t think I would eat it past 3 days.
This sounds awesome! I was wondering how long this would keep in the refrigerator for? Also wondering if you have ever tried this as a sandwich? Thanks for the wonderful recipes! I love your site!!
Michelle – We tried it in a pita and it was awesome! It would work great on regular bread as well. And I would keep it for as long as you are comfortable eating leftover chicken. I find that varies for some, but no more than 5 days.
YUM!