National Chicken Salad Day, celebrated annually on June 3, honors a deli favorite with deep New England roots. Founded in 2026 by Stop & Shop, the holiday celebrates the creativity, comfort, and resourcefulness behind one of America’s most beloved deli classics. Chicken salad is believed to have originated in 1863, when Liam Gray of Town Meats in Wakefield, Rhode Island, combined leftover chicken with mayonnaise, tarragon, and grapes to create the now-classic dish. Today, chicken salad remains a staple at family gatherings, summer picnics, sandwich shops, and grocery deli counters across the country, bringing creamy, savory flavor to every bite.
History of National Chicken Salad Day
National Chicken Salad Day, celebrated annually on June 3, honors a deli classic deeply rooted in New England food culture and grocery tradition. This date was thoughtfully selected as the day after Rotisserie Chicken Day, highlighting the delicious transformation that gives rotisserie chicken a second life as fresh, flavorful chicken salad.
Chicken salad is believed to have originated in the United States in 1863, when Liam Gray, owner of Town Meats in Wakefield, Rhode Island, first combined leftover chicken with mayonnaise, tarragon, and grapes to create the now-classic dish. The recipe quickly became so popular with customers that Gray transformed his meat market into a delicatessen to keep up with growing product demand. Today, chicken salad remains a staple at family gatherings, summer picnics, sandwich shops, and supermarket deli counters across the country.
Chicken salad joins an iconic list of foods founded in Rhode Island, including coffee milk, stuffies, bakery pizza, hot wieners, dynamite sandwiches, clam cakes, doughboys, and jonnycakes. These original creations tell a unique story, reflecting Rhode Island’s rich food traditions and the local flavors that have been passed down through generations.
That New England connection makes this holiday especially fitting for Stop & Shop, a beloved Northeast neighborhood grocer founded in Massachusetts and proudly serving communities across the region. At Stop & Shop, our deli-made rotisserie chicken salad delivers everything people love about this classic comfort-food favorite: tender, juicy rotisserie chicken blended with just the right amount of creamy mayo, crisp celery for the perfect crunch, and flavorful seasoning that brings the perfect balance to every bite. Made with fresh rotisserie chicken prepared daily in-store, it’s a delicious example of how simple, quality ingredients can be transformed into something even more flavorful, satisfying, and crave-worthy.
National Chicken Salad Day celebrates resourcefulness, flavor, and the comforting deli favorites that bring New England vibes to tables everywhere. From its historic Rhode Island roots to Stop & Shop’s fresh-made deli tradition, June 3 is the perfect day to recognize the creamy, savory goodness of chicken salad with friends.
National Chicken Salad Day timeline
The modern mayonnaise-based American chicken salad is invented by Liam Gray at his meat market, Town Meats, in Wakefield, Rhode Island. He mixes leftover chicken with mayonnaise, tarragon, and grapes.
Stop & Shop, a beloved Northeast grocer, declares June 3rd as National Chicken Salad Day.
National Chicken Salad Day FAQs
When was chicken salad invented?
It was invented in 1863.
Who invented chicken salad?
Liam Gray, the owner of Town Meats.
Where was chicken salad invented?
Wakefield, Rhode Island, a village of South Kingstown, Rhode Island.
What ingredients were in the original chicken salad?
Leftover chicken with mayonnaise, tarragon, and grapes.
Who founded National Chicken Salad Day and when?
National Chicken Salad Day was founded by Stop & Shop in 2026.
National Chicken Salad Day Activities
Step 1
Head over to your local Stop & Shop and get: 1. Rotisserie Chicken Salad from the deli 2. your favorite bread, cracker, or greens, and 3. your choice of toppings/mix-ins.
Step 2
Snap a mouth-watering photo of your plate.
Step 3
Post it to social media using the hashtag #NationalChickenSaladDay.
5 Facts About National Chicken Salad Day
Fast-growing category
Salads are one of the fastest-growing lunch categories. Chicken salad uniquely sits in the middle of all three major lunch behaviors: a). Salad b). Sandwich filling c). Ready-to-eat convenience meal.
Meat-based salads
21% of consumers report eating meat-based salads for lunch at home.
New restaurants concept
Chicken-focused restaurant concepts continue expanding because of broad consumer demand.
Popular menu item
Nearly 27% of U.S. restaurants feature chicken salad on their menus, according to menu trend tracking data.
The "Chicken Salad Queen"
"The Real Housewives of New York City" star Bethany Frankel has been called the “Chicken Salad Queen” on social media due to her Chicken Salad video reviews.
Why We Love National Chicken Salad Day
A Rhode Island original
Chicken salad is part of an iconic lineup of Rhode Island food originals. It joins beloved regional favorites like coffee milk, stuffies, pizza chips, and hot wieners, all of which reflect the state’s rich culinary history and New England roots. Its origin story in Wakefield, Rhode Island, makes National Chicken Salad Day especially meaningful throughout the region.
It's a chance to get creative
Chicken salad is one of the most versatile deli favorites, making it easy to customize with different flavors and toppings. Popular combinations include buffalo sauce and celery for a spicy kick, or cranberries and walnuts for a sweet-and-savory twist. Whether served on bread, over greens, or with crackers, there’s a version for everyone.
A delicious way to reduce food waste
Chicken salad is a smart and flavorful way to give leftover or rotisserie chicken a second life. By transforming simple ingredients into a fresh meal or snack, it celebrates resourcefulness in the kitchen while reducing unnecessary food waste. It’s a tradition that has remained popular for generations because it’s both practical and delicious.
National Chicken Salad Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | June 3 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | June 3 | Thursday |
| 2028 | June 3 | Saturday |
| 2029 | June 3 | Sunday |
| 2030 | June 3 | Monday |
Holidays Straight to Your Inbox
Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly
to your inbox.