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When it comes to food, I’m a creature of habit. I love trying new things, but I typically stick to a regular order. Last month, I tried Taco Bell’s chicken nuggets, and while I’m a big fan (especially of the spicy ranch), the next time I ring the bell, I’ll likely be grabbing my go-to Crunchwrap.
Occasionally, I try something new and love it so much that I have to recreate it. Recently, my husband and fellow foodie brought home three flavors of creamy chicken salad from Chicken Salad Chick to sample. I was instantly hooked—the taste was spot-on and I appreciated how the shredded chicken absorbed flavor better than diced chicken, which I typically have in this dish.
Dotdash Meredith/Janet Maples
So, it became my quest to figure out how to make a batch of Chicken Salad Chick’s chicken salad so I could meal prep a more budget-friendly version for my weekday lunches.
Chicken Salad Chick Uses Duke's Mayonnaise
As I sifted through Reddit threads hoping to find the key to Chicken Salad Chick’s Southern-style chicken salad, many users mentioned Duke’s as the fast casual restaurant’s mayonnaise of choice. I confirmed this by taking a look at the chain’s nutrition and allergen information, which stated, “We use Duke’s Mayonnaise in our chicken salad.”
Thrilled, I headed to the store and picked up a jar of Duke’s to make my copycat recipe. And while I don’t have the seasoning blend down yet, my version—with poached chicken breast, diced white onion and celery, and a big scoop of Duke’s mayo—was pretty darn close.
Fred Hardy/Allrecipes
A favorite of Alton Brown’s—and now mine—Duke’s famous “twang” makes all the difference, especially in creamy recipes that need a hint of acid to brighten the flavor. For most of my life, I’ve been loyal to Hellmann’s, using it in every bowl of potato salad and batch of deviled eggs. But once I had Duke’s in my refrigerator, there was no going back.
Duke’s is now my go-to for tomato sandwiches, homemade honey mustard, and BLTs. Even if you don’t have a Chicken Salad Chick in your city to try, I recommend swapping in Duke’s next time you whip up chicken salad at home. It just might be your new favorite, too.
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