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Creamy Willow Tree chicken salad with celery and red onions, served on a buttery croissant.

Willow Tree Chicken Salad Recipe (Just Like the Original!)

Chef Andrew
Make the creamiest, crunchiest copycat Willow Tree chicken salad at home—with rotisserie chicken, celery seed, and a secret tangy twist!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 People
Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups shredded chicken (rotisserie works best)
  • 1/2 cup mayo (Duke’s or Hellmann’s)
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 1/4 cup diced red onion (soaked in ice water)
  • 1 tsp celery seed
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Prep Ingredients

  • Shred chicken (use a hand mixer for fluffier texture). Soak diced onions in ice water for 5 minutes to mellow their bite.

Mix Dressing

  • Whisk mayo, yogurt, lemon juice, celery seed, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.

Combine

  • Fold in chicken, celery, and drained onions. Chill for 1 hour before serving for best flavor.

Notes

For a lighter version, swap mayo for mashed avocado. Stores in the fridge for 3–4 days.