Chicken Curry Salad
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Aug. 22, 2025
I create this Chicken Curry Salad for a delicious twist on chicken salad, with bigger and bolder flavor. This one is savory, slightly sweet, super easy, and completely delicious.
In This Article
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Amy’s Notes
This Chicken Curry Salad is my go-to when I want a bold and flavor-packed lunch. Here’s why I make it on repeat:
- Sweet and Savory Flavor: The curry powder, honey, and raisins create a perfectly balanced mix of warm spice and subtle sweetness that keeps each bite interesting.
- Fresh and Crunchy Texture: I love the combo of crisp apples, crunchy cashews, and tender chicken. It’s hearty, satisfying, and never boring.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: I make it ahead and stash it in the fridge – it gets even better after resting. Like my Rotisserie Chicken Salad, it’s then ready to serve at a moment’s notice.
- Versatile and Flexible: I’ve used turkey instead of chicken, added mango instead of apple, and swapped the raisins for dried cranberries. It always works.
- Great for Sandwiches: Stuff it into croissants, soft rolls, or spoon it over greens. However I serve it, this salad always disappears fast, like my Guacamole Chicken Salad.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Greek Yogurt & Mayonnaise – This creamy combo creates a lighter dressing with just the right balance of tanginess and richness for a smooth, flavorful base.
- Yellow Curry Powder – Mellow and aromatic, yellow curry adds warm spice and golden color without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Shredded Chicken – Tender cooked chicken makes this salad hearty and satisfying—perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or scooped over greens.
- Raisins & Apples – A mix of sweet and juicy, these add pops of flavor and texture that balance the savory curry dressing beautifully.
- Roasted Cashews – Added just before serving, chopped cashews provide a salty crunch that takes each bite to the next level.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations:
- Chicken Options: I like using store-bought rotisserie chicken for convenience, but boiled, baked, or grilled and shredded chicken will work.
- Fruit Swaps: You can use dried cranberries or dried blueberries can be used in place of raisins, and mangoes instead of apples too.
- Yogurt and Mayo Alternatives: Half mayo and half Greek yogurt keep the salad creamy without being too heavy, but if you prefer all mayo, go for it. For a tangier flavor, swap in sour cream or a dairy-free yogurt if needed.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Make the curry dressing.
- Add dressing to shredded cooked chicken.
- Add mix-ins to chicken mixture.
- Toss together, then cover and chill before serving.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:
- Make Entirely Ahead: This hearty curried chicken salad can easily be made ahead and kept chilled until you’re ready to spread it into your favorite sandwich bread.
- Make Dressing Beforehand: You can whisk the dressing a day or two ahead. Keep it covered in the fridge so the flavors have time to meld.
What To Serve with Chicken Curry Salad
Sandwiches and Wraps
- This curry chicken salad is perfect in flaky croissants, soft French Bread, sandwich rolls, or rustic Sourdough Sandwich Bread slices for a satisfying lunch.
- We also love it scooped into whole wheat pita pockets or buttery brioche buns for something extra special.
- For a lighter option, spoon it into lettuce wraps or layer it between slices of your favorite soft sandwich bread with some fresh greens.
Salads and Greens
- Round out your plate with a side of Asian Cucumber Salad or Kale Brussels Sprouts Salad.
- We also love bringing it along for picnics or potluck gatherings. It pairs well with Caprese Pasta Salad, Watermelon Salad, or simple chips and veggies.
Video: Watch Us Make This Recipe
Chicken Curry Salad
This Chicken Curry Salad is jazzed up with curry, and loaded with goodness! It can be made ahead of time, chilled, and brought to room temp when ready to serve with your favorite sandwich bread. Flaky croissants are perfect!
Ingredients
- ½ cup whole Greek yogurt, unsweetened
- ½ cup real mayonnaise
- 5 teaspoons yellow curry powder
- 2 teaspoons pure honey
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1.5 pounds cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped
- ½ cup red onion, chopped
- 1 large dill pickle, chopped
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 whole apple, chopped*
- ½ cup roasted cashews, salted, coarsely chopped
- thinly sliced green onions, for garnishing (optional)
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, curry powder, honey, ginger, salt, and pepper.
- Add chicken, onions, pickles, raisins, and apples to the curry mixture. Use rubber spatula to gently combine well. Season with additional salt or pepper, if needed.
- Keep covered and chilled. Let salad rest at room temp at least 15 minutes before serving. Just before serving, top with chopped cashews and green onions, if using.
Notes
- Apple can be peeled or unpeeled. A crisp, sweet apple variety like Fuji or Honeycrisp works best.
- Use store-bought rotisserie chicken for convenience, or cook and chop your own. If your chicken is unseasoned, add extra salt and pepper to taste.
- Mangoes can be used in place of apples for a different flavor. Raisins can be swapped out for dried cranberries or dried blueberries if needed.
- Let the salad chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. Take it out about 15 minutes ahead of time so it’s not too cold when you serve it.
- Curry chicken salad keeps well covered and chilled for 3 days.
- This recipe is part of our Chicken Salad Recipes Collection.
- Serve with croissants, soft French bread, your choice of bread rolls, or simply over green leaf lettuce.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 445kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 532mg | Potassium: 827mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 438IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 2mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use turkey instead of chicken?
Yes, this recipe works just as well with cooked turkey. It’s a great way to use up leftovers, especially after Thanksgiving.
What kind of apple should I use?
A sweet, crisp variety like Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp works best. You can leave the skin on or peel it, depending on your preference.
Is yellow curry powder spicy?
Yellow curry powder is milder than red curry powders, making it perfect for this recipe. You get warm flavor without too much heat.
How long should I let the salad rest before serving?
Let it rest at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before serving. This helps bring out the full flavor and softens the chilled texture.
How long does Chicken Curry Salad keep?
It will stay fresh for up to 3 days when stored covered in the refrigerator. Just give it a quick stir before serving again.
More to Cook And Eat
- Chinese Chicken Salad – This flavorful, aromatic salad is often termed Chinese Chicken Salad or Asian Chicken Salad. The flavor of this sesame ginger dressing is consistently phenomenal.
- Mexican Chicken Salad – I make this 20-minute Mexican chicken salad for everything from casual lunches to potluck parties. It’s flexible, full of flavor, and always gets compliments.
- BBQ Chicken Salad – I make this BBQ Chicken Salad when I need a salad my teen boys will actually devour. With perfectly grilled chicken, beans, corn, and crisp greens, it’s a protein-packed, boldly flavorful meal.
- Wild Rice Chicken or Turkey Salad – This Wild Rice Chicken or Turkey Salad is unbelievably easy to create, and is an all-time people pleaser.