40 Best Chicken Salad Sandwich Toppings

Chicken salad sandwiches are a classic lunchtime favorite.

But they can be a bit boring if you don’t top them with the right ingredients.

That’s why I’m here to share 40 of the best chicken salad sandwich toppings that will take your sandwich to the next level!

From crunchy vegetables and fruits, to creamy cheeses and nuts, there is something on this list for everyone.

So go ahead and try these tasty toppings the next time you make a chicken salad sandwich!

Read Also: Chicken Salad Wine Pairing – Best Wines for Chicken Salads

40 Best Chicken Salad Sandwich Toppings

Chicken salad sandwiches are a delicious and easy meal that can be made in minutes.

But to really make them stand out, you need the right toppings!

Here are 40 of my favorite toppings for chicken salad sandwiches:

Crunchy Vegetables

• Shredded lettuce: Light and crunchy, this topping adds a cool breath of fresh air to your chicken salad sandwich. It’s the perfect refresher that will make your mouth sing with joy.
• Sliced cucumbers: Slices of chilled cucumber add a refreshing crispness to every bite of your lunchtime masterpiece. Plus, it gives you something to show off on Instagram for all of your foodie followers!
• Thinly sliced red onions: This peppery addition packs an unexpected flavor punch that really elevates the taste of your sandwich to new heights. Every bite will have you saying oh là là!
• Shredded carrots: Colorful shreds of carrot add visual appeal as well as some earthy sweetness that compliments chicken flavors perfectly. These golden strands are sure to cast a spell on whoever tries them!
• Chopped celery: Tangy and crunchy, celery is the perfect partner in crime for any chicken salad sandwich recipe – just don’t forget the peanut butter if they’re properly partnered up.

Fresh Fruits

• Sliced Apples – Every chicken salad sandwich needs a crunchy element, and sliced apples provide just that! Not to mention their sweetness will balance out the savory flavors in the sandwich – it’s a match made in heaven.
• Sliced Grapes – Sweet, ripe slices of grapes bring so much flavor to every bite of your chicken salad sandwich. And because they’re small, you can fit lots of them on each piece of bread for maximum deliciousness.
• Dried Cranberries – Need an extra zing from dried fruit? Look no further than dried cranberries! Their tartness provides an interesting contrast with the savoriness of the chicken salad, creating something truly special in every bite.
• Sliced Pears – Fresh pears are like sunshine for your taste buds and make a beautiful addition to your Chicken Salad Sandwich as well as colors if you’ve got guests over! With creamy flesh and juicy flavor, sliced pears are hard to beat on top of this classic combination favorite dish whether indoors or outdoors picnic style dining experience!
• Chopped Pineapple – Get ready for an explosion of tropical flavor with chopped pineapple on top of these sandwiches! The sweet and sour notes work perfectly together and create an intriguing contrast with all the other ingredients in the mix-up! Plus, it’s just plain fun eating such a mix-and-match combo like this!

Creamy Cheeses

• Crumbled Feta Cheese: Come sail away with me on the salty seas to a land of deliciousness known as feta. This briny cheese has such a unique flavor, it will be the superstar of your sandwich and give it loads of character.
• Sliced Swiss Cheese: Swim through that sea of flavors with some blended lushness courtesy of Swiss cheese. It will create luscious layers in your sandwich, framing your chicken salad in its mild yet flavorful embrace.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Dash yourself up with some crunchy cheddary goodness for extra texture and flavor galore! Let this cheesy topping dance around on your tastebuds like Beyonce strutting her stuff during a halftime show – top-notch diva vibes guaranteed!
• Sliced Brie Cheese: Soft yet yummy brie rounds out this tasty group because it’s oh so creamy and supple when melted into perfection over hot grilled bread or toast. You’ll feel like you’ve died and gone to foodie heaven after one taste!
• Cream Cheese Spread: Give your sandwich a smooth touch without taking away from all that delightful richness by spreadin’ around some cream cheese before introducing everything else to the party foldin’. Its subtle tang is classic-worthy comfiness at its best!

Savory Meats

• Crispy Bacon: This salty and smoky treat is the perfect topping for your chicken salad sandwich. With its crunchy texture and intense flavor, it will transform your sandwich into a crispy-crunchy paradise!
• Thinly Sliced Ham: Take it up a notch with delicate slices of delicate, flavorful ham. It adds a nice balance to the creamy chicken salad while adding just the right amount of subtle sweetness as well.
• Grilled Chicken: Already made some grilled chicken? No need to let that deliciousness go to waste! Add some juicy chunks of grilled chicken for an extra boost in flavor and loads of added protein goodness – yum!
• Smoked Turkey: An amazing addition for those who prefer something more smokey; smoked turkey takes your tastebuds on an adventure off the beaten path with its complex yet intriguing flavors and subtle hint of heat – delightfully delightful indeed!
• Cooked & Crumbled Sausage: Want to make things truly over-the-top? Top off your already fabulous sandwiches with cooked (and ideally crumbled) sausage pieces that are bursting with deep, rich flavor – what’s not to love?!

Salty Nuts

• Chopped Pecans: An irresistible nutty flavor that adds a little crunch to your chicken salad sandwich. Plus, they pair perfectly with grapes and dried cranberries!
• Sliced Almonds: These delicious slices of scrumptiousness are like a warm hug for your taste buds – plus they offer an extra bit of protein too.
• Chopped Walnuts: The perfect combination of sweet and savory, these crunchy morsels make it so that you never want to stop eating your sandwich!
• Sunflower Seeds: A sprinkle of these seeds gives your chicken salad sandwich the gift of yummy roasted flavor – plus you get an added boost from all their healthy nutrients as well!
• Roasted Peanuts: For those who live for salty snacks, this topping packs a wallop with its delightful peanut-y goodness (plus it’s great for adding some extra protein).

Sweet Additions

• Honey: Give your chicken salad sandwich a touch of sweetness with this natural nectar. Drizzle it on top of your sandwich and the result is a truly heavenly bite.
• Maple Syrup: Add some flair to your classic chicken salad sandwich with a drizzle of rich maple syrup over the top. The sweet and savory combo will blow your taste buds away!
• Brown Sugar: Turn up the flavor on your chicken salad sandwich with a sprinkle or two of brown sugar on top! This sugary topping takes every bite from good to great in an instant.
• Raisins: Craving something chewy? Sprinkle in some raisins for texture and delightfully sweet bursts in each mouthful, making this plain-jane sandwich even more delicious!
• Chopped Dates: A little bit goes a long way here – add only small bits of dates for a big flavor that’ll make you want to go back for seconds, thirds…you get the idea!

Savory Spices and Herbs

• Freshly ground black pepper – This classic pantry staple is great for adding a bit of heat and zing to your sandwich. You can use it alone or in combination with other ingredients to give your chicken salad an extra kick.
• Dried oregano – This earthy herb adds a bright, Mediterranean flavor and aroma that takes your chicken salad from basic to gourmet status! A few shakes of this flavorful ingredient will have you wishing you had added more sooner.
• Crushed red pepper flakes – Shake on some crushed red pepper flakes for a delicious spicy boost that will take the flavor profile of your sandwich up a notch. No one ever said spice has to hurt!
• Chopped fresh parsley – Add texture, color, and flavor with this finely chopped herb packed with antioxidants and vitamins like Vitamin A and K! Sprinkle in just enough so every bite packs a nutritional punch as well as a delicious flavor profile explosion!
• Dried thyme – Its subtle aroma is like music to the nose while its pungent taste pleases the palette making it perfect for enhancing any dish or sandwich! Just the right amount can make all the difference without overwhelming everything else on your plate or between two slices of bread!

Creamy Spreads and Sauces

• Mayonnaise: A classic topping that will make your chicken salad sandwich feel like a warm hug. It will add a creamy tang to all the ingredients, ensuring every bite of your sandwich is as flavorful as the last.
• Mustard: Turn up the heat with some mustard! Whether you prefer spicy or sweet, this condiment not only adds an extra punch of flavor – but it also gives your sandwich a vibrant yellow hue (that’s sure to brighten up anyone’s day).
• Ranch Dressing: Give any basic chicken salad sandwich some zing with ranch dressing! Its tangy and creamy flavors will have everyone drooling and begging for seconds – so stock up on plenty of napkins beforehand!
• Pesto: Take your taste buds on a journey by adding pesto to your chicken salad sandwich! This herby green sauce isn’t just tasty, but it also looks aesthetically pleasing as well – which means you won’t even need grated cheese to take pictures for Instagram!
• Hummus: Popular amongst vegetarians, hummus makes everything taste better including sandwiches! With its earthy and slightly nutty flavor profile, it can instantly transform boring lunch into something special that’ll definitely impress both young and old alike. Get creative by adding some roasted veggies too – yummm!

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, there are many delicious and unique toppings you can add to your chicken salad sandwich to make it stand out from the crowd.

Here are the best toppings for chicken salad sandwiches:

1. Crunchy Vegetables: shredded lettuce, sliced cucumbers, thinly sliced red onions, shredded carrots, chopped celery
2. Fresh Fruits: sliced apples, sliced grapes, dried cranberries, sliced pears, chopped pineapple
3. Creamy Cheeses: crumbled feta cheese, sliced Swiss cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, sliced brie cheese, cream cheese spread
4. Savory Meats: crispy bacon, thinly sliced ham, grilled chicken, smoked turkey, cooked and crumbled sausage
5. Salty Nuts: chopped pecans, sliced almonds, chopped walnuts, sunflower seeds, roasted peanuts
6. Sweet Additions: honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, raisins, chopped dates
7. Savory Spices and Herbs: freshly ground black pepper, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, chopped fresh parsley, dried thyme
8. Creamy Spreads and Sauces: mayonnaise, mustard, ranch dressing, pesto, hummus.

These toppings will add flavor, texture, and color to your sandwich, making it a fun and delicious meal that everyone can enjoy.