1-First Step: Gather and prep the ingredients Start by gathering all of your ingredients so everything is ready to go. If your chicken is not already cooked, prepare it first and let it cool before mixing. You want the chicken chopped or shredded into bite-size pieces so the texture is easy to eat. Dice the celery and thinly slice the green onion.

2-Second Step: Build the creamy base In a medium mixing bowl, add 1/2 cup mayonnaise and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard. Stir them together until smooth. This creates the creamy coating that holds the Chicken Salad together and gives it that classic flavor.

3-Third Step: Add the chicken and vegetables Add 2 cups cooked chopped or shredded chicken, 1 rib diced celery, and 1 thinly sliced green onion to the bowl. Fold everything together gently so the chicken stays in nice pieces. If you stir too hard, the chicken can break down more than you want.

4-Fourth Step: Season the salad Sprinkle in 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. If you are using dill, add 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill or 1/4 teaspoon dried dill. Mix again until the chicken is evenly coated. Taste the salad and add a little more seasoned salt or pepper if needed.

5-Fifth Step: Add optional mix-ins If you want a sweeter or more textured Chicken Salad, fold in grapes, apples, or nuts. These add-ins can change the feel of the dish in a really nice way. Grapes bring sweetness, apples add a fresh crunch, and nuts give a richer bite.

6-Final Step: Chill and serve For the best flavor, cover the bowl and chill the Chicken Salad for at least 15 to 30 minutes before serving. This gives the flavors time to blend. Serve it on bread, in lettuce cups, with crackers, or over a bed of greens.