Retro Italian Dressing Chicken Salad Sandwich
Zesty Italian Chicken Salad Sandwich
A Retro Twist on a Classic
Give the classic chicken salad a retro refresh with a splash of Italian dressing! This zesty 1960s inspired recipe brings bright flavor and mid-century charm to a lunchtime favorite.
Quick to make, creamy yet tangy, and perfect on sourdough bread, it’s the kind of easy meal that feels straight out of a vintage picnic basket.
I also like to make these when I want a sandwich that feels a little more special, with just that extra something.
Blog Index:
A Retro Bite of History
Step by Step Recipe
Serving Suggestions
Retro Shopping
Closing words
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🍴 A Retro Bite of History
Chicken sandwiches may feel like a modern grab-and-go lunch, but they’ve been around in one form or another since the early 20th century. Simple chicken salad made with chopped cooked chicken, mayonnaise, and celery was a favorite of tearooms and ladies’ luncheons in the 1920s and 30s.
By the 1950s and 60s, when convenience foods and bottled dressings were booming, the chicken sandwich found its way into cookbooks, picnics, and school lunch boxes across America.
It was quick, filling, and versatile perfect for the mid-century kitchen where “fast but special” meals were the goal.
Retro Italian Dressing Chicken Salad Sandwich
Era: 1960s
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 sandwiches
✨ Ingredients
2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
2 tablespoons red bell pepper, diced
2 tablespoons green bell pepper, diced
½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Dash of salt and pepper
⅓ cup mayonnaise
1½ tablespoons Italian dressing
½ tablespoon dried dill
Dash of paprika
Onion slices – optional
Leafy lettuce – optional
8 Slices of sandwich bread
🧂 Instructions
In a medium bowl, mix the first 8 ingredients: chicken, red and green bell peppers, lemon juice, salt, pepper, mayonnaise, Italian dressing, and dill.
Stir until well combined, then sprinkle lightly with paprika.
To serve, layer leafy lettuce on your bread, spoon on the chicken salad, top with onion slices if desired, and finish with the second slice of bread.
Slice and enjoy your zesty retro sandwich!
FAQ – Zesty Italian Chicken Salad Sandwich
Can I make this chicken salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can mix it up to a day in advance. Just store it covered in the fridge, then assemble your sandwiches right before serving so the bread stays fresh.
What type of chicken works best?
Leftover cooked chicken, rotisserie chicken, or even poached chicken breast all work beautifully. Just make sure it’s chopped finely for that classic mid-century texture.
Can I lighten it up?
Yes! You can swap the mayo for light mayonnaise or Greek yogurt. It keeps the creamy texture while adding a little tang.
Can I serve this without bread?
Sure thing! Spoon it over crisp lettuce for a retro-style chicken salad plate or serve it on crackers for a fun appetizer.
What goes well with this sandwich?
Try pairing it with potato chips, a small cup of soup, or a slice of melon just like a classic 1950s lunch counter combo!
How long does it last in the fridge?
Stored in an airtight container, the chicken salad keeps for about 3 days. Stir before serving if it’s been chilled overnight.
Fun Vintage serving Tips
Wrap it in Wax Paper: Fold your sandwich in classic wax paper and tie with baker’s twine—just like mom packed for road trips in the 60s.
Add the Crunch: Serve with a side of ruffled potato chips or a stack of buttery Ritz crackers, both mid-century snack staples.
Make It a Plate Lunch: Pair with a wedge of iceberg lettuce topped with Thousand Island or French dressing for a true 1950s luncheon vibe.
Drive-In Picnic Style: Tuck sandwiches into a wicker basket with little bottles of soda pop for a “movie under the stars” feel.
Fancy Luncheon Touch: Serve chicken salad on toasted white bread cut into triangles with the crusts trimmed very bridge club chic!
Party-Perfect: Use small dinner rolls or mini croissants to make cocktail-sized chicken salad sandwiches just right for retro buffets.
Retro Shopping
Available on Amazon: Wicker Picnic Basket, Vintage Small Rattan Suitcase Basket with Handle, Rustic Storage Hamper Prop Case with Leather Strap
✨ Pack your lunch the retro way! This vintage-style wicker picnic basket is perfect for tucking in your zesty Italian chicken salad sandwiches, fruit, and fizzy drinks for an old-fashioned afternoon outing.
Closing words
This Zesty Italian Chicken Salad Sandwich proves that even the simplest recipes can feel special with a retro twist.
It’s quick, flavorful, and perfect for everything from a weekday lunch to a vintage-style picnic. ✨
If you’re ready to keep the nostalgia going, don’t forget to join my Retro Recipe Club for more mid-century favorites!
Give this vintage recipe a try and share your retro kitchen creations tag me at #VBTB so we can keep these mid-century flavors alive, one delicious bite at a time!
Vintage Recipe Source: From my personal collection of mid-century recipes (circa 1950s–60s).
If you're loving this Retro Italian Dressing Chicken Salad Sandwich recipe, check out my Apricot & Cinnamon Butter recipe. After your sandwich, try a warm roll or toast dolloped with the buttery spread. The fruity, spiced finish makes the whole meal feel cozy and fall-ready.
retro lunch idea
