Pickle Chicken Salad Sandwich (Printable)

A refreshing low-carb lunch with creamy chicken salad served in crisp pickle halves.

# Components:

→ Chicken Salad

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
02 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
03 - 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
04 - 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
05 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
07 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
08 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice
09 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Pickle Sandwiches

10 - 4 large whole deli-style or kosher dill pickles
11 - 4 lettuce leaves (optional)
12 - 1/2 cup sliced tomato (optional)

# Method:

01 - In a medium bowl, mix shredded chicken, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, celery, red onion, dill, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice thoroughly. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
02 - Slice each pickle lengthwise. Carefully hollow out the seeds and some flesh from the center of each half without piercing the skin, creating a boat shape.
03 - Pat hollowed pickle halves dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
04 - Place a lettuce leaf inside each pickle half if using. Evenly spoon the chicken salad into the hollowed pickles.
05 - Top with sliced tomato if desired, then cover with the remaining pickle halves to form sandwiches.
06 - Serve immediately or wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Your hands stay dry and the flavors taste even better because the tangy pickle brine plays against the creamy salad in the most unexpected way.
  • No bread means you can eat these guilt-free while still feeling completely satisfied, and they come together faster than you'd think.
02 -
  • The pickle's interior will continue releasing moisture even after you've dried it, which is why the lettuce barrier actually matters—don't skip it thinking you're being fussy.
  • Your chicken salad can be made hours ahead of time, but always hollow and dry your pickles right before assembly to keep them crisp and structurally sound.
03 -
  • Buy the thickest, most substantial pickles you can find—thin-skinned ones collapse when you try to hollow them, turning your boat into a mushy disappointment.
  • If you're concerned about the sandwich being too wet, add an extra lettuce leaf or even a thin slice of cheese as a moisture barrier between the salad and the pickle.
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