Calvin’s Chicken Salad Recipe

In 1996, Calvin and Rhonda Lindsly opened a small grocery store called Calvin’s Bocage Market.

It didn’t take long before one of their dishes started to get all the attention – the famous Calvin’s Chicken Salad.

This creamy, flavorful salad became the talk of the town. People lined up early, hoping to grab a container before it sold out.

They sold the salad as part of a bundle for about $105. That’s a lot of money! It showed just how much people loved it.

Many days, the store shelves were empty because everyone wanted that perfect mix of tender chicken and smooth dressing.

But when you make your homemade version, you don’t need to spend that much money. You can use all fresh ingredients, and we all know that fresh food is good for us.

After trying this copycat version of Calvin’s Chicken Salad Recipe, you won’t need to wait in line or pay high prices.

You can make it anytime you want – it’s simple, affordable, and so delicious.

What Does Calvin’s Chicken Salad Taste Like?

Calvin’s Chicken Salad is creamy, smooth, and slightly tangy with a mild kick from the spices.

The chicken stays tender, while the blended onion and celery give it a soft texture.

You get a gentle mix of flavors: savory chicken, a hint of ranch herbs, and a touch of peppery warmth.

It is rich but not heavy, making every bite feel fresh and balanced.

How Calvin’s Chicken Salad Went Viral?

Calvin’s Chicken Salad became famous after Bethenny Frankel, a reality TV star, shared a TikTok video about it. She loved the smooth and creamy texture and said it tasted amazing.

The video quickly went viral and got millions of views and thousands of comments.

Before this, the salad was mostly loved by people in Baton Rouge.

After the video, fans from all over the country wanted to try it. Calvin’s Bocage Market saw a big jump in orders and had to send the salad to people far away.

The combination of Bethenny Frankel’s review, the creamy texture, and the local favorite’s great flavor made this chicken salad famous everywhere.

Calvin’s Chicken Salad Ingredients

• Cooked chicken (about 2 cups): Fully cooked chicken works best. Rotisserie chicken saves time and adds flavor. Boiled or baked chicken can be used. Canned chicken works too, but fresh gives the best taste.
• White onion (1 small): Adds sharpness without big chunks. Yellow onion can be used instead. Large onions should be cut into quarters for blending.
• Celery (2 stalks): Celery adds a fresh, crisp note and a little bit of texture. It also gets blended with the onion. This creates a flavorful base for the chicken salad.
• Mayonnaise (¼ cup): Mayonnaise makes the salad rich and creamy. Always use real mayonnaise like Duke’s or Hellmann’s. Avoid salad dressings such as Miracle Whip, as they are sweet and can change the flavor.
• Cream cheese (½ block, softened): This is the secret to the rich, smooth texture. The cream cheese must be soft. Leave it out on the counter for an hour before you start. This makes it easy to mix in. There is no real substitute for the unique texture it gives.
• Salt (pinch): A small amount of salt helps all the other flavors come together. Be careful not to add too much, because the other seasonings also contain salt.
• Black pepper (pinch): This adds a soft touch of warmth without overpowering the chicken.
• Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning (2 teaspoons): This dry powder mix adds a lot of flavor. It has herbs and spices that make the chicken salad taste special. Do not use the prepared ranch dressing.
• Tony Chachere’s seasoning (½ teaspoon): This adds a little bit of a spicy kick. It is a blend of salt, peppers, and garlic. If you do not have it, you can use a little garlic powder, a pinch of cayenne pepper, and some extra salt.

Equipment You’ll Need

1. Food processor or blender – for smooth blending
2. Sharp knife – for chopping onion and celery
3. Cutting board – safe prep surface
4. Measuring spoons – for seasonings
5. Measuring cup – for chicken and mayo
6. Mixing bowl – for final mix
7. Rubber spatula – to scrape the sides clean
8. Airtight container – to store leftovers fresh

How to Make Calvin’s Chicken Salad

Step 1 | Prep the vegetables

Start by chopping your onion and celery into smaller pieces. This makes it easier to blend them evenly. Cut large onion pieces into quarters so they process smoothly.

Step 2 | Blend onion and celery

Place the onion and celery in the food processor. Pulse until they turn into a fine paste. This step gives the chicken salad its smooth, even texture.

Step 3 | Add the chicken

Place the cooked chicken into the processor with the onion and celery paste. Blend until it looks smooth but still has a bit of structure. It should not be watery or chunky.

Step 4 | Mix in mayo and cream cheese

Add mayonnaise and softened cream cheese to the chicken mix. Blend again until everything is well mixed and smooth. The cream cheese should disappear into the blend.

Step 5 | Season it right

Sprinkle in salt, black pepper, ranch seasoning, and Tony Chachere’s. Pulse until the seasoning is well spread through the mix. Taste a small bit to check the flavor.

Step 6 | Chill the salad

Transfer the chicken salad to a bowl. Cover it with a lid or plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for at least 1 hour. This helps the flavors come together.

Step 7 | Serve and enjoy

Once chilled, serve the chicken salad in sandwiches, wraps, or with crackers. It’s soft, creamy, and ready to eat.

Recipe Perfection Tips

• Check the Seasoning After Chilling: The cold temperature of the fridge can make flavors less strong. Always taste your chicken salad after it has chilled and before you serve it. You can add a little more salt or pepper then if you think it needs it.
• Shred Chicken for Easier Blending: If you are cooking your own chicken, shredding it with two forks before adding it to the processor can help. It blends more evenly and quickly, giving you a smoother texture.
• Soften Cream Cheese Properly: For the creamiest result, let your cream cheese sit out on the counter until it is soft to the touch. Trying to blend cold cream cheese can leave little lumps in your chicken salad.
• Scrape the Sides: When blending in the food processor, stop once or twice to scrape down the sides. This ensures every part of the mixture is smooth and well-combined.

Make Ahead Tips

You can make this chicken salad a full day before you need it. In fact, letting it sit overnight is a great idea.

The flavors get even better as they have more time to blend together in the fridge.

Just prepare the salad, put it in an airtight container, and keep it refrigerated. Do not leave it out on the counter for more than two hours.

How to Serve Calvin’s Chicken Salad

This creamy chicken salad is very versatile. My favorite way to eat it is on soft, fresh white bread with a leaf of crispy lettuce.

It also makes a fantastic wrap when you spread it on a large flour tortilla. You can use it as a tasty dip for sturdy crackers or vegetable sticks like carrots and celery.

For a light lunch, serve a big scoop on top of a green salad. It is also a perfect filling for hollowed-out tomatoes or avocados for a pretty presentation.

How to Store Calvin’s Chicken Salad Safely

Keep the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3–4 days.

Avoid leaving it out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Stir gently before serving if it sits for a while.

Do not freeze, as the cream cheese and mayonnaise will separate and affect texture. Always use clean utensils to avoid contamination.

Calvin’s Chicken Salad Recipe FAQs

1. Can I use a hand blender instead of a food processor?

Yes, a hand blender works if you have a tall mixing bowl. Blend carefully to achieve a smooth consistency without overmixing.

2. My chicken salad turned out too watery. What happened?

This can happen if the onion was very large and juicy. Next time, you can strain the blended onion and celery paste in a fine mesh strainer to remove some liquid.

Also, make sure your cooked chicken is cooled completely and was not warm when you blended it.

3. Can I add grapes, nuts, or eggs to this salad?

Yes, you can personalize it. Some people enjoy adding halved grapes, chopped pecans, or diced boiled eggs for texture.

These additions create a different version but still taste great.

4. My chicken salad turned out too wet. What did I do wrong?

This can happen if the vegetables were very watery or if the chicken was blended for too long. To fix it, you can try stirring in a little extra cooked and shredded chicken to absorb the moisture.

Next time, make sure to pulse the blender instead of letting it run continuously.

5. Why is my chicken salad not smooth?

The most common reason is that the cream cheese was too cold when you added it. Hard cream cheese does not blend well and can leave little lumps.

Also, check that you blended the onion and celery into a fine paste before adding the chicken. Big pieces of vegetable will keep the salad from being smooth.

6. What kind of chicken is best to use?

Rotisserie chicken gives the best mix of flavor and texture. You can also use boiled or baked chicken breast. Just make sure it’s tender and not dry before blending.

Calvin’s Chicken Salad Recipe gives you a creamy, flavorful dish that works for any meal. This copycat version tastes just as good as the original from the Bocage Market.

The blend of seasonings and the smooth texture from cream cheese create something special.

You can feed your family without spending over $100. Try this recipe today and see why people loved this chicken salad so much.