Everybody should have a reliable, fundamental chicken salad recipe in their collection of tried-and-true dishes. A few staple items are all you need to swiftly make homemade chicken salad for summertime picnics, potlucks, lunches, or light dinners. It is a great way to use leftovers, and you can alter the ingredients to suit your preferences.
This article will discuss a delectable chicken salad dish that perfectly balances flavors and textures to create a satisfying supper.
Items Needed to Make Chicken Salad
This chicken salad has 5 simple ingredients, but each one is essential for the finest flavor, texture, and color.
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Chicken
We use two large breasts from a whole roasted chicken. But you may substitute sautéed, baked, or rotisserie chicken for the chicken breasts. You can also use dark-meat chicken, such as our easy-to-cook Air Fryer Chicken Thighs.
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Celery
It enhances the salad’s crispness and balances its flavor. Don’t cut corners; give it a shot, even if you’re not a fan of celery.
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Berries
Provide some juicy sweetness to the salad. Like our broccoli grape salad, the grapes offer an excellent touch and give the salad a “fancy” appearance.
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Pecan’s
You can roast the nuts in a dry pan to further enhance the flavor.
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Red onion
Cut the middle half of a medium red onion finely, or add more red onion to taste. Green onions can also be sliced and used instead, but red onions store better in the refrigerator.
The Best Dressing for Chicken Salad
This is comparable to the dressing we adore for our well-known broccoli salad. But since the grapes provide plenty of sweetness, we didn’t add any sugar or honey. Compared to only mayo, this dressing is lighter because of the addition of sour cream and is creamy and zesty.
- Mayonnaise – For maximum flavor, use real mayonnaise.
- The Sour Cream – We use full-fat sour cream, but you may use fat-free Greek yogurt or low-fat sour cream in its place.
- Lemon Extract – Make sure the juice is fresh, not from concentrate.
- Dill – Our favorite fresh dill is finely chopped; however, you can also use two tablespoons of finely chopped fresh parsley in its place.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Steps to Follow for an Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
This easy chicken salad recipe is an excellent alternative for lunch because it comes together quickly in just one bowl.
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Toast the Pecans
Transfer to a dry skillet over medium-low heat; stir often or until pecans become fragrant and brown. After transferring it to a chopping board for a rough chop, let it cool before adding it to a big bowl.
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Stir-fried Chicken
Add the chopped, cold chicken breast to the mixing bowl.
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Cut Grapes in Half
Cut the grapes in half using a serrated knife and add them to the bowl.
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Mince the Onion and Celery
Cut celery sticks in half lengthwise, then thinly slice and add to bowl after trimming off ends and chopping coarsely.
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Prepare the Dressing
Pour the dressing over the salad after combining the ingredients in a dish.
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Mix by Tossing
Cover and chill the salad until it’s time to serve, stirring to ensure the dressing coats it evenly.
Ways to Present Chicken Salad
This chicken salad recipe can be served as a main course or a side salad, much like a traditional tuna salad. Because it’s so simple to transform into a meal, we love to offer it for lunch.
- Over Mixed Greens: Transfer the chicken salad to a big bowl, top with your preferred greens, and serve.
- Lettuce Cups: This low-carb lunch alternative is excellent when served in lettuce cups.
- Sandwiches with Croissants: Split the croissant in half, but only cut some of the way through, and then stuff it with salad. It tastes just like a sandwich from a bakery.
- Pita Bread: Stuffing a pita with chicken salad is a great and easy snack.
Conclusion
This chicken salad recipe is a beautiful example of the elegance of keeping things simple in the kitchen, with its varied textures, bright colors, and harmonious flavors. Enjoyable as a light lunch, a side dish, or the main course, this delicious recipe exemplifies the skill of fusing standard components to create a culinary masterpiece. So, gather your ingredients, cook joyfully, and enjoy every bite of this delicious chicken salad.