The Best Chicken Salad Recipe
I dont know if Ive been to a bridal or wedding shower where chicken salad stuffed in croissants wasnt served. Dont tell the bride but those little chicken sandwich pockets might be my favorite part of the party.
Ive shared my healthified chicken salad with Greek yogurt and avocado dressing with a few ingredients twists and turns, but this is my take on the classic chicken salad recipe. First, my fave chicken salad has to have tender, shreddy lean white chicken breast with plenty of crunchy celery and toasted almonds. Just like in Whole Foods Markets Sonoma Chicken Salad, red grapes add plump bites of sweetness with a touch of red onion for added heat. Finally, add dollops of my super simple lemon-spiked mayo dressing are mixed in and this chicken salad party is good to go.
Strain The Chicken Broth
Prepare to strain the broth by getting a big bowl and strainer. Im going to strain my broth twice. First in a big colander and then in a small one.
Slowly pour the broth into a colander thats in the bowl.
After you have poured the broth through the first colander, rinse the stock pot.
Put the small colander on top of the clean stock pot.
Carefully pour the big bowl of broth through the small colander into the stock pot.
I am straining it a third time to capture all the remnants.
What Goes With Chicken Salad
If youre looking to make a meal out of chicken salad, consider serving it as part of a salad plate with a scoop of pimento cheese and a scoop of tuna salad.
It can be served on a sandwich, on soft broad or toasted, or on top of a green salad. You may also enjoy a side of fruit or fruit salad with chicken salad.
For a filling lunch, make your own restaurant-style pick two combo with a cup of soup and a chicken salad sandwich.
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More About This Recipe
- Perfect for picnics, ideal at celebrations and just-right for any quick-fix meal, this chicken salad sandwich recipe is a balanced combination of hearty meat, crunchy celery and onion and creamy mayonnaise. If you have leftover cooked chicken from another meal, turn it into easy chicken salad. And if Thanksgiving dinner has given you more turkey than you can handle, swap it in this recipe for chicken salad to make an easy day-after meal. One commenter remarked that she omits the celery and adds in chopped apple instead. Another swaps the celery out for a tablespoon minced jalapeño peppers to add a spicy twist. Avoiding bread? This would be just as tasty served in lettuce wraps instead. Easy chicken salad is just the beginning. Dont miss out on Betty Crocker’s best sandwich and wrap recipes for more ideas.
How Long Will It Last
As long as it is kept covered, pineapple chicken salad with grapes will last about a week in the fridge. It might need to be drained a little bit as the grapes will start to lose their plumpness. But all you have to do is refresh the flavors by adding some fresh, toasted pecans and some salt and pepper.
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How To Brine Chicken In Pickle Juice
If youre already sold on the idea of adding pickles and pickle juice to your chicken salad, theres yet another way you can boost the taste of the recipe with more tangy, salty flavor. Try brining your chicken in pickle juice before cooking it.
Not only does a pickle juice brine tenderize and flavor your chicken, but it also helps keep notoriously dry chicken breast moist . All it takes is an hour. Brine your chicken breast in pickle juice, then remove it from the liquid and pat it dry before pan-roasting or baking it.
Now the base of your chicken salad will be super flavorful, juicy, and will pair perfectly with the splash of pickle juice and crunchy chopped pickles you add to your chicken salad recipe.
How To Make Chicken Salad:
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste.
It really is that simple to make and so much better than anything store bought. You will save money by making it home.
Serve immediately as a sandwich or over salad. If you are trying to eat low carb, just make a lettuce wrap or serve in a salad.
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Master How To Make Chicken Salad At Home And You’ll Always Be The Star Of The Potluck Or Picnic Break Up With The Store
Karla Walsh is a Des Moines, Iowa-based freelance writer, editor, and former fitness instructor who balances her love of food and drink with her passion for fitness. She holds a double major in magazine journalism and kinesiology from Iowa State University. She also passed her level one sommelier exam with the Court of Master Sommeliers, received her personal trainer certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and group fitness instructor certification through the Athletics and Fitness Association of America . She’s covered health, food, fitness, psychology, beauty, and beyond for more than 12 years. In addition to BHG.com, her writing has been published in AllRecipes, Runner’s World, Shape and Fitness Magazines, as well as on EatingWell.com, Shape.com, ReadersDigest.com, TheHealthy.com, Prevention.com, WomensHealthMag.com, and more.
If you think chicken breast recipes are bland and boring, we bet a luscious, well-seasoned homemade chicken salad will convince you otherwise. In this guide for how to make chicken salad, we’ll talk you through how to choose juicy meat, coat it in a flavorful dressing, then spike all that with flavor-boosters. No need to start completely from scratch, even if you’re seeking out how to make homemade chicken salad. We have options for using rotisserie chicken, canned chicken, or leftover chicken, too.
Best Chicken Salad Recipe
I want to be that person who invented egg salad and chicken salad. I mean, that person deserves a gold medal. Yummy, versatile, classic.
Even though this particular chicken salad has been floating around for ages, I was only introduced to it a few years ago by a friend. I was practically mesmerized by all the ingredients she was mixing together. Dried cranberries, apples, and pecans? It all seemed so oddand yet wonderful. I knew immediately how much I would love it.
Ive been making it this way ever since and everyone I serve it to begs for the recipe.
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There Are So Many Ways To Serve Chicken Salad
Speaking of serving your chicken salad, the possibilities are, once again, endless. Sampsons go-to for this classic chicken salad recipe is an equally classic chicken salad sandwich. She clued us in on what her perfect chicken salad sandwich includes. I personally love butter lettuce, said Sampson, but any lettuce works. And the same goes for bread. Sampson said, I like a good seed-filled bread, lightly toasted.
The seedy bread certainly offers a rustic heartiness to the sandwich, which is consistent with Sampsons trademark cooking style. Additionally, toasting the bread will bring out its flavor and make the sandwich just a bit crunchier.
Sampson assures us this salad is for more than just sandwiches though. When it comes down to it, Id eat this on crackers too, she said.
For Sampson, chicken salad makes the perfect cool and refreshing summer lunch. That said, for Sampson and her family, chicken salad is not just a summer affair. We enjoy it all year long, she added.
How Can I Make Chicken Salad Healthier
Many people ask, Is chicken salad healthy? Chicken salad can definitely fit into your healthy-eating planwith a few tasty tweaks. Use lean, white breast meat to start. To cut back on the fat and calories from mayonnaise, incorporate mashed avocado, plain Greek yogurt or vegan mayonnaise When choosing your crunchy ingredients, opt for fresh, chopped veggies like onions, green bell peppers or carrots. Finally, serve your chicken salad in a lettuce wedge or over a mixed greens salad for more nutrients without the extra carbs.
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Easy Basic Chicken Salad No Celery
Ill break down for you the substitutions and methods that can be used to make this easy chicken salad recipe. Every recipe should be somewhat adaptable in my book. This is a great recipe to improvise with because its versatile.
I like to use chicken breasts for my chicken salad because they are lean and healthy, but if you are in a pinch a rotisserie chicken works just fine. Dark meat chicken just wouldnt be very appetizing here.
While I prefer to use red onion, green onions or white onions will work just fine. If youre trying to make this chicken salad even lighter you can replace half the mayo with light sour cream or non fat Greek Yogurt.
I love how the sweet pickle relish plays with the zing of the dijon mustard, but if you prefer , you can replace that with dill pickles or relish for a tangier flavor profile. A little lemon juice is also nice here.
If you want a sweeter application, you could add cut up green apples or seedless grapes to the mix. Some like to add hard boiled eggs, but sorry for me thats verging on egg salad. You do you though!
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Chicken Salad Avocado And Cheddar Panini
These Chicken Salad, Avocado and Cheddar Paninis strike a balance between bright vibrancy and rich, buttery deliciousness. The salad itself consists of tender chicken, red grapes, slivered almonds, pecans, onion, Granny Smith apple, dried cranberries and lots of salt and pepper, each of which adds a fresh flavor and strong texture to the salad. Once assembled on a croissant with avocado and plenty of cheddar, the brighter elements of the chicken salad balance the richness of the other sandwich elements. Enjoy for brunch, lunch, dinner, daytime snack, midnight snack, elevenses, etc. .
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Chicken Salad With Walnuts And Grapes
Grapes, walnuts, and chicken come together in a creamy mayo-sour cream dressing. Toss this tasty salad in 20 minutes and serve it on bread, lettuce leaves, or with mixed greens with slices of avocado. It makes a great last-minute lunch if you have leftover chicken or turkey. Add radicchio for a pungent crunch, or use crushed roasted seaweed for a salty and crunchy texture.
Master How To Make Chicken Salad At Home And Youll Always Be The Star Of The Potluck Or Picnic Break Up With The Store
Karla Walsh is a Des Moines, Iowa-based freelance writer, editor, and former fitness instructor who balances her love of food and drink with her passion for fitness. She holds a double major in magazine journalism and kinesiology from Iowa State University. She also passed her level one sommelier exam with the Court of Master Sommeliers, received her personal trainer certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and group fitness instructor certification through the Athletics and Fitness Association of America . Shes covered health, food, fitness, psychology, beauty, and beyond for more than 12 years. In addition to BHG.com, her writing has been published in AllRecipes, Runners World, Shape and Fitness Magazines, as well as on EatingWell.com, Shape.com, ReadersDigest.com, TheHealthy.com, Prevention.com, WomensHealthMag.com, and more.
If you think chicken breast recipes are bland and boring, we bet a luscious, well-seasoned homemade chicken salad will convince you otherwise. In this guide for how to make chicken salad, well talk you through how to choose juicy meat, coat it in a flavorful dressing, then spike all that with flavor-boosters. No need to start completely from scratch, even if youre seeking out how to make homemade chicken salad. We have options for using rotisserie chicken, canned chicken, or leftover chicken, too.
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Creamy And Packed With Fresh Flavors This Healthy Chicken Salad No Mayo Recipe Cuts Back On Calories And Fat But Not On Flavor
Chicken salad is a great anytime meal. Its made with convenient ingredients, is satisfying and versatile, and is of course, flavorful. But creamy chicken salads can also be laden with unnecessary fat and calories thanks to one particular ingredientmayo. Mayonnaise is a key ingredient in most chicken salads, and for good reasonits delicious! But with a few swaps you can easily replicate its function in chicken salad without the unwanted extra calories.
This chicken salad no mayo recipe utilizes regular nonfat plain yogurt, but for an added boost of protein, you can also use Greek yogurt. For a summery option, check out this yogurt-based chicken salad made with cantaloupe. Or check out our Buffalo Chicken Salad for creamy salad anytime.
Now, lets whip up a healthy chicken salad recipe.
Is Chicken Salad Healthy
For the most part, the ingredients in the chicken salad are healthy. The one exception is the mayonnaise but you do have options. Though it varies by brand, regular mayonnaise can have around 80 grams of fat and 750 calories if you were to use 1/2 cup in this recipe. Light mayonnaise can reduce those amounts by one-third or more, as can fat-free mayonnaise. Using one of those and serving the chicken salad on a bed of lettuce to reduce carbs would make this a healthier dish.
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Learn How To Choose A Good Chicken
Did you know that chickens are used to be slaughtered? They are most often killed by neck snapping. An estimate is that millions of chickens die on farms and ranches in the United States every year. Some of these are young chickens, who are not old enough to be slaughtered, but instead are crammed into confined spaces and killed with a machine gun.
How To Cook Chicken For Chicken Salad
If you are going to cook chicken specifically for chicken salad, the easiest thing to do is to poach it.
What I like to do is put a pot of 2 quarts of water and 1 tablespoon salt on to boil. As the water is heating, I cut skinless boneless chicken breasts into large chunks. When the water boils, I add the chicken, and return the pot to a simmer. Then I turn off the heat, and cover the pot and let the meat sit for 15 minutes in the hot water while I prepare everything else. Poaching chicken this way allows the chicken to cook gently, so the chicken retains more moisture.
After the chicken is finished cooking you can save the poaching liquid as light chicken broth.
Poaching aside, you can easily use any cooked chicken for this chicken saladrotisserie chicken, grilled chicken, or roasted chicken. My parents will often use leftovers from their favorite baked chicken, and even include some of the crispy skin in the salad.
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Chicken And Rice Salad
This lovely chicken and rice salad is an excellent picnic dish because its a whole meal in itself. Cooked rice and chicken, mayo, veggies, and olives provide lots of flavors and a rich texture. Use the salad to fill heirloom tomatoes or whole peppers. Serve it on iceberg lettuce leaves, make rice paper roll wraps, cold flour tortilla sandwiches, or stuff some pitas.
Best Chicken Club Pasta Salad
If you like club sandwiches and ranch dressing you are going to love this Chicken Club Pasta Salad recipe. Its similar in some ways to my Italian Pasta Salad in that its based on simple ingredients with a dose of porky goodness, savory cheese, fresh cherry tomatoes, and a delicious salad dressing. Yet, its a tasty masterpiece of its own.
The recipe basically takes all the best parts of a club sandwich, but replaces the bread with pasta and then coats all the ingredients in creamy ranch! Its super yummy and takes very little effort to prepare. You can easily use leftover chopped chicken and bacon. The only thing that you really have to cook is the pasta.And its a really versatile salad that can be served alone as a main dish or as a side at your next BBQ along with some Homemade Burgers or BBQ Baby Back Ribs. I often like to serve this pasta salad with chicken for a weekend lunch on a hot day and then finish the meal with a nice cold and creamy Strawberry Milkshake.
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Does This Work With Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
Yes! This method works well with boneless skinless chicken thighs, but with thighs you dont need to pound them thin first since theyre already pretty thin to begin with.
Just season the thighs with salt and pepper and cook them according to the recipe instructions. Theyll require a significantly shorter cooking time, usually 3 to 6 minutes per side, so keep a close eye on them to make sure theyre not overcooking.
How To Store Simple Chicken Salad:
This chicken salad is so easy for everyone to enjoy. Occasionally we will have leftovers. All you need to do is store in an airtight container for the flavors to enhance.
The chicken salad will last about a week in the refrigerator. Once you are ready to enjoy again, simply give it a stir and your chicken salad is ready to enjoy.
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The Best Chicken Salad
This Chicken Salad is truly divine. At first glance you might balk at the grapes, but trust me, they make the salad exquisite. The sweet crunch of the grapes combines beautifully with the chicken and richness of the mayo. The celery and pecans create nice crunch to the chicken salad that elevates it to the next level.
I love using this for picnics and special lunches. It is so easy to make but it is so fancy at the same time. Chicken Salad comes together in a flash so you can have this on the table in no time. And you will love how it is so versatile as well, serve it as a wrap, on a croissant, on some rye bread, or in a lettuce bowl. However you serve it, just make it! You are going to love it, it is so divine!