A basil chicken salad sandwich puts a fresh twist on classic chicken salad, made with tender chicken, chopped basil, and a shredded Italian cheese blend. Served on a flaky croissant, it’s an easy lunch with bright basil flavor and a satisfying, creamy texture.

Croissant basil chicken salad sandwiches with visible celery and basil on a brown plate.

Fresh basil brings out the best in chicken salad

I first created this recipe while living in Maine, when a good-sized herb garden in my backyard kept me well supplied with fresh basil all summer long. Looking for new ways to use those fragrant leaves led to this basil chicken salad sandwich, and it quickly earned a permanent place in the summer sandwich rotation.

The fresh basil adds a bright herbal note that pairs naturally with chicken, bringing a distinct flavor variation up traditional chicken salad. If you enjoy sandwiches built around simple ingredients and bold flavor, you might also like this chicken salad sandwich with a spicy kick, a classic homemade chicken parmesan sandwich, or a hearty stroganoff style beef sandwich.

Serve this basil chicken salad sandwich alongside crispy from scratch french fries, a bowl of traditional homemade potato salad, or a chilled Italian style tortellini pasta salad for a relaxed lunch or casual summer meal.

Recipe ingredients

All ingredients for this recipe are shown in the pic below and special notes are made in this bulleted list to assist you.

Croissants, shredded chicken, basil, celery pieces, shredded cheese, and small bowls of ingredients on a white surface.

Croissants: Their buttery flavor complements the chicken salad beautifully and creates a soft, layered sandwich base. While croissants are used in this recipe, the chicken salad is also excellent served on any fresh roll or a thick slice freshly cut from a rustic no knead bread loaf.
Chicken tenderloins: Tenderloins shred easily and have a naturally tender bite, which makes them ideal for chicken salad. They produce soft, evenly sized pieces that blend smoothly with the dressing without becoming stringy or dry.
Mayonnaise: A simple, balanced mayonnaise binds the chicken salad together and carries the flavor of the basil and cheese throughout the mixture. For the best flavor and texture, you can use simple from scratch mayonnaise.
Fresh basil: Fresh basil is essential to the flavor of this sandwich. If the chicken salad rests overnight, the basil slowly infuses the mixture and deepens the herbal flavor.
Italian cheese blend: I use a blend that includes provolone, romano, parmesan, mozzarella, and asiago. Any of these cheeses will work on their own, you can create your own combination, or pick up a premixed Italian blend at your local market.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

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How to make a basil chicken salad sandwich

Chicken salad dressing mixture with visible herbs in a brown bowl on a white surface.

Chicken salad dressing mixture with chopped basil and celery in a round brown bowl on a white tabletop.

Step 1: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, shredded Italian cheese blend, chopped fresh basil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir the mixture until everything is well blended and the basil and cheese are evenly distributed throughout the dressing.

Step 2: Halve the celery stalks lengthwise, then slice them into ¼-inch pieces, and stir them into the dressing, mixing well so they are evenly coated.

Shredded chicken salad with basil and celery in a brown bowl on a white surface.

Croissant sandwiches filled with basil chicken salad and celery on a round brown plate.

Step 3: Add the shredded chicken to the bowl and gently fold it into the dressing mixture until the chicken is evenly coated and the ingredients are well combined.

Step 4: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the chicken salad overnight so the basil has time to infuse the mixture. When ready to serve, spoon the chicken salad onto fresh croissants.

Top tips

Use fully cooled chicken when mixing the salad. Chicken that is still warm can loosen the mayonnaise and change the texture of the dressing. Starting with chilled chicken helps the mixture stay thick and well blended.
Slice the celery for balanced texture. Halving the celery stalks and cutting them into roughly ¼-inch pieces keeps the crunch noticeable without overwhelming the sandwich. Even pieces distribute better throughout the chicken salad and create a consistent bite.
Chop the basil just before mixing it into the dressing. Fresh basil bruises easily and begins to darken once it is cut. Preparing it right before mixing preserves its color and keeps the herbal flavor clean and noticeable in the finished salad.
Mix the dressing completely before adding the chicken. Blending the mayonnaise, basil, cheese, and seasonings first ensures the flavorings are evenly distributed. This helps the dressing coat the shredded chicken uniformly instead of leaving pockets of unmixed ingredients.
Split croissants carefully to preserve their layers. Use a serrated knife and a gentle sawing motion to cut the croissants horizontally. This keeps the delicate layers intact and prevents the pastry from compressing before the sandwich is assembled.

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Two basil chicken salad croissant sandwiches filled with shredded chicken on a brown plate.

Basil Chicken Salad Sandwich

Shredded chicken is tossed with fresh basil, a shredded Italian cheese blend, and a simple lemon-mayo dressing, then chilled so the flavors meld together. Served on flaky croissants, this basil chicken salad sandwich makes an easy lunch or light meal.

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Prep Time: 15

Total Time: 15

Servings: servings

Calories: 684kcal

Author: Diane Gail

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Ingredients

Instructions

In a medium bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, shredded Italian cheese blend, chopped basil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Stir the sliced celery into the dressing until evenly distributed.
Fold the shredded chicken into the dressing until evenly coated.
Cover and refrigerate overnight to allow the basil to infuse the chicken salad.
Spoon the chicken salad onto croissants and serve.

Notes

Resting time improves flavor: Allowing the chicken salad to rest overnight gives the basil time to infuse into the dressing and chicken.
Cheese options: If an Italian cheese blend is not available, provolone, romano, parmesan, mozzarella, or asiago can be used individually or combined.
Bread alternatives: While croissants complement the chicken salad well, the filling can also be served on rolls, sliced bread, or toasted sandwich bread.
Taste before serving: After chilling, stir the chicken salad and adjust salt and pepper if needed before assembling the sandwiches.