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The Ultimate Chicken Salad

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A delightful rendition of the classic chicken salad, perfect for any gathering or picnic, with a touch of nostalgia.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast (shredded or diced)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
  • 1/2 cup celery (finely chopped)
  • 1/4 cup red onion (finely chopped)
  • 1/2 cup grapes (halved) or 1 small apple (diced)
  • 1/3 cup walnuts or almonds (optional, toasted)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh)
  • Fresh parsley (1–2 tablespoons chopped)
  • Lettuce leaves or bread for serving

Instructions

  1. Prep your chicken: If you’re cooking your own chicken, bring a pot of water to a gentle boil and add the chicken breasts. Cook for about 15 minutes until they’re no longer pink, then let them cool slightly before shredding. Alternatively, shred your rotisserie chicken.
  2. Gather those ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add your cooked chicken. It’s best to use a big bowl to allow plenty of room for mixing.
  3. Create your creamy base: In the same bowl, dollop in the mayonnaise and Greek yogurt. Add the Dijon mustard, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Use a spatula to gently fold these together until creamy.
  4. Add color and crunch: Toss in the chopped celery and red onion into the bowl. These ingredients bring in crunch and flavor, making the salad lively!
  5. Incorporate the sweetness: If you’re using grapes, halve them and toss them into the bowl. If you prefer apple, make sure it’s in nice, small pieces for easy munching.
  6. Nuts for texture: If you’re using walnuts or almonds, chop them roughly and toss them in. Make sure they’re toasted for that extra flavor—just toss them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes.
  7. Citrus zing: Squeeze that fresh lemon juice all over. This adds brightness and keeps everything fresh.
  8. Final touches: Add the chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Gently fold everything together until all the ingredients are fully mingled. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.
  9. Chill out: For the best flavor, cover your bowl and let the chicken salad chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to let those flavors meld.

Notes

This chicken salad can be personalized with different ingredients. It tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken salad, classic recipe, quick meals, summer salads

Find it online: https://ivoryapron.com/chicken-salad/