Creamy Garlic Hummus Chicken Salad Sandwiches: Your New Go-To Lunch & Dinner Recipe

Looking for a fresh, flavorful, and incredibly easy meal prep solution? These Garlic Hummus Chicken Salad Sandwiches are about to become your absolute favorite. With a creamy, savory garlic hummus spread, they’re perfect for packing in lunchboxes or having a satisfying dinner ready when time is tight. This recipe offers a delightful twist on a classic, promising to elevate your sandwich game with wholesome goodness and irresistible taste.

Let’s be honest, who could ever get tired of a good chicken salad sandwich? For many of us, it’s a timeless classic, a comforting staple that always hits the spot. Every time I find myself at a sandwich shop, there’s a strong pull towards the chicken salad option. But here’s the thing I’ve learned from countless sandwich experiences: not all chicken salads are created equal. Achieving that perfect balance of flavor, texture, and creaminess is an art, and sadly, many fall short of the mark.

I have a few non-negotiables when it comes to my ideal chicken salad, and I’m sure many of you can relate. First and foremost, a hearty “no thank you” to fruit. Grapes, apples, cranberries, or whatever else might sneak into the mix – they just don’t belong in my savory chicken salad. The moment I encounter a rogue grape, I feel a genuine sense of betrayal. The textural contrast and the unexpected sweetness simply clash with what I crave in a classic, savory chicken salad, often turning a potentially delicious meal into a confusing one.

Secondly, the dressing needs to be anything but bland. A mere combination of chicken and mayonnaise just won’t cut it. It requires depth and vibrancy. Bring on the finely diced onion for a pungent kick, the sweet pickle relish for a tangy counterpoint, or even a hint of Dijon mustard for an extra layer of flavor. These simple additions can transform a basic mix into something truly memorable. Just ensure there’s a symphony of tastes, and again, please, no fruit!

Thirdly, while I appreciate a creamy texture, there’s a fine line between perfectly dressed and excessively drowning in dressing. Yes, I enjoy mayonnaise, but I don’t want to feel as though I’m eating it straight from the jar. The secret lies in a well-balanced ratio, where the dressing enhances the chicken and other ingredients without overpowering them, allowing the chicken’s natural flavor to still shine through.

For years, my go-to has been my beloved chicken salad breadstick sandwiches. They’re fantastic, offering a unique twist on the classic. But inspiration strikes in unexpected ways. One evening, a powerful craving for chicken salad hit, but alas, my mayonnaise jar was empty. The thought of a quick run to the store for just one item felt like a monumental task. That’s when my eyes landed on a container of hummus in the fridge, and a brilliant idea sparked. “Yes,” I thought, “that will absolutely work!” The creamy texture and inherent flavor of hummus offered an exciting alternative.

And that, my friends, is the origin story of these incredible Garlic Hummus Chicken Salad Sandwiches. They deliver everything I love: a rich, creamy, and intensely flavorful profile, elevated by the zing of relish and the subtle bite of onion. This innovative twist not only satisfies all my chicken salad requirements but also introduces a delightful new dimension of taste and texture, making it a truly exceptional meal.

What makes these sandwiches truly special, beyond their fantastic flavor, is their incredible convenience. You can whip up a batch ahead of time, allowing all the wonderful flavors to meld and deepen in the refrigerator. Then, whether you’re packing it for a satisfying workday lunch, a picnic, or need a quick, nourishing dinner on those evenings when cooking feels impossible, it’s ready to go. This recipe is a game-changer for anyone looking to simplify their meal routine without sacrificing taste, offering a healthier, protein-packed option that’s bursting with flavor.

Beyond the Classic: Serving Your Hummus Chicken Salad Your Way

While chicken salad sandwiches are most commonly enjoyed cold, straight from the fridge, I highly recommend experimenting with a warm version. Much like a grilled cheese sandwich, toasting these chicken salad sandwiches transforms them into a different kind of comfort food. The bread gets beautifully crisp and golden, and the filling warms through, making for an incredibly satisfying meal, especially on a chilly day. The gentle heat brings out even more of the garlic and herb notes from the hummus, creating a truly comforting experience.

Growing up, my parents often treated me to hot sandwiches made in their sandwich maker (affiliate link). That little appliance, while not strictly necessary, did create beautifully sealed pockets of deliciousness, perfect for little hands. You don’t need a fancy gadget to achieve a similar effect; a simple pan-fry in a lightly buttered pan will do the trick, giving your sandwiches a delightful golden-brown exterior and a warm, gooey interior that’s hard to resist.

For those looking for a lighter, carb-conscious option, this garlic hummus chicken salad is absolutely perfect for lettuce wraps. Boston lettuce, with its large, flexible, and tender leaves, is my personal favorite for this application. It provides a crisp, refreshing crunch that complements the creamy chicken salad beautifully. Just spoon a generous amount of the salad into a lettuce leaf, fold it up, and enjoy a fresh, healthy bite. Other great options include butter lettuce or even large romaine leaves for a firmer wrap.

The Hummus Advantage: A Healthier, Flavorful Alternative to Mayo

As I mentioned earlier, the secret ingredient that elevates this recipe and gives it its distinctive character is the substitution of traditional mayonnaise with a high-quality hummus spread. For this particular recipe, I used Sabra Spreads, which are fantastic refrigerated sandwich spreads. Made primarily from mashed chickpeas, these spreads offer a wealth of wholesome, fresh ingredients that contribute to both flavor and nutrition.

The choice of hummus, especially a garlic herb variety, brings a robust and savory profile that mayonnaise simply can’t match. Hummus provides a creamy texture, just like mayo, but with added benefits. It’s typically lower in saturated fat, higher in fiber, and packed with plant-based protein from the chickpeas. This makes our chicken salad not only incredibly delicious but also a more nutritionally dense option, supporting a balanced diet without compromising on taste.

Using hummus also opens up a world of flavor possibilities. While I opted for a garlic herb variety, imagine the delicious variations you could create with roasted red pepper hummus for a hint of sweetness and smokiness, spicy jalapeño hummus for a kick, or even a classic plain hummus enhanced with your own choice of spices like cumin or smoked paprika. This versatility ensures that your chicken salad never gets boring and can be customized to your specific taste preferences and dietary needs.

Crafting Your Perfect Hummus Chicken Salad: Essential Tips & Exciting Variations

Selecting and Preparing Your Chicken

The foundation of any great chicken salad is, of course, the chicken itself. For this recipe, I recommend using about 2 cups of cooked chicken breast, chopped. While the recipe note provides a simple method for cooking bone-in chicken breast, feel free to use your preferred cooking method. Leftover rotisserie chicken is an absolute time-saver and works wonderfully, providing tender, flavorful meat. You can also poach, bake, or grill boneless, skinless chicken breasts and then shred or chop them once cooled. Aim for bite-sized pieces that are easy to mix and eat, ensuring a consistent texture throughout the salad.

Flavor Enhancers: Relish, Onion, and Lemon

Don’t underestimate the power of sweet pickle relish and finely chopped onion. The relish adds a crucial tangy sweetness that brightens the entire salad, cutting through the richness of the hummus and adding a lovely textural contrast. The onion, whether red or yellow, provides a fresh, aromatic crunch and a subtle pungency that builds depth in the flavor profile. Fresh lemon juice is another non-negotiable; it’s the secret ingredient that wakes up all the flavors, adding a vibrant acidity that elevates the entire dish and prevents it from tasting flat.

Achieving the Perfect Creaminess

The beauty of using hummus is its inherent creaminess. However, if you prefer an even silkier texture, or if your hummus is particularly thick, a tablespoon or two of milk (dairy or non-dairy, like almond or oat milk) can achieve the desired consistency. Start with a small amount and add more gradually until you reach your preferred level of creaminess. Remember, you want it to coat the chicken and other ingredients beautifully without being soupy or overly wet, ensuring a delightful mouthfeel with every bite.

Make Ahead for Maximum Flavor

One of the best tips for this recipe is to make it ahead of time. While you can certainly enjoy it immediately, allowing the chicken salad to refrigerate for at least an hour (or even better, overnight) gives all the ingredients time to “marry” and for the flavors to fully develop and deepen. This makes it an ideal meal prep component, ensuring you have a delicious and convenient option ready throughout the week. Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it will keep well for 3-4 days, making weeknight meals and packed lunches a breeze.

Creative Variations to Explore

• Hummus Flavors: Don’t limit yourself to garlic herb. Experiment with roasted red pepper hummus for a sweet and smoky note, sun-dried tomato hummus for an Italian twist, or even a spicy jalapeño hummus for a delightful kick.
• Vegetable Add-ins: Boost the texture and nutrition with extra veggies. Finely diced celery adds a classic crunch, grated carrots provide natural sweetness, or chopped bell peppers (any color) introduce a fresh, vibrant element. Consider adding some chopped cucumber for extra freshness.
• Fresh Herbs: Elevate the aroma and taste with a generous handful of fresh herbs like chopped dill, parsley, chives, or even a hint of tarragon. These fresh elements can truly brighten the salad.
• Spice It Up: A pinch of smoked paprika, a dash of curry powder, or a little cayenne pepper can dramatically change the flavor profile, offering endless customization to suit your palate.
• Protein Swaps: While this recipe focuses on chicken, the hummus base would also work wonderfully with canned tuna for a tuna salad, or even mashed chickpeas for a completely vegetarian, plant-based “chickpea salad.”

Perfect Pairings for Your Sandwiches

To round out your meal, consider serving your Garlic Hummus Chicken Salad Sandwiches with some delightful side dishes. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette, a bowl of homemade vegetable soup, or some crunchy vegetable sticks (carrots, celery, bell peppers) are always great choices for a balanced meal. For a more substantial spread, especially if you’re entertaining or feeding a hungry crowd, I highly recommend:

• Caesar Pasta Salad: The tangy, savory notes of Caesar dressing and tender pasta pair wonderfully with the creamy chicken salad, creating a harmonious meal.
• Italian Potato Salad: A light and zesty potato salad, made with fresh herbs and a vinegar-based dressing, offers a refreshing contrast to the richness of the hummus chicken salad.

These pairings create a balanced and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion, from a casual picnic to a relaxed weeknight dinner, offering variety and depth to your table.

Garlic Hummus Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Yield:
4 servings

Prep Time:
1 hour 15 minutes

Total Time:
1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped* (see Note)
• 1/2 cup sweet pickle relish
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup Garlic Herb Sabra Hummus Spreads
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• Bread, lettuce, tomato, and red onion, for serving

Instructions

In a large bowl (preferably with a lid), mix together the chicken, relish, onion, hummus spread, milk, and lemon juice until creamy. If you want it creamier, you can add more milk. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before eating. Serve on bread with lettuce, tomato, and red onion.

Notes

How To Cook Chicken Breast: *I used 1 in-bone chicken breast, roughly 1/2 pound (8 ounces). You can cook the chicken how you like. My favorite method is putting the chicken in a large pot covered completely with water, bringing to a boil, then turning it down to simmer and cook covered another 30 minutes or until no longer pink inside.

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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Sabra. Thank you for supporting me and the companies I work with as sponsored posts help pay for the costs of running Chocolate Moosey, including website hosting and groceries for recipe development.