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Chicken Salad Chick Recipe

Chicken Salad Chick Recipe

This Chicken Salad Chick Recipe is a fresh, flavorful, and easy-to-make chicken salad featuring tender chicken, creamy dressing, and vibrant additions. Perfect for lunches, casual gatherings, or light dinners, it offers versatility with sweet, savory, or tangy variations. Packed with lean protein and fresh ingredients, it’s both healthy and satisfying, ideal for meal prep and kid-friendly meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (poached or rotisserie preferred)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 2 tablespoons chopped green onions or chives
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar

Optional Add-Ins and Variations

  • 1/2 cup grapes, halved or chopped apples (for fruity delight)
  • 1/4 cup toasted pecans, almonds, or slivered almonds (for nuts and crunch)
  • 1 diced hard-boiled egg and 1 teaspoon mustard (for classic southern style)
  • 12 finely chopped jalapeños or 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (for spicy kick)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, parsley, or tarragon (for herbal freshness)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Start by poaching your chicken for juicy, tender meat or use rotisserie chicken as an easy alternative. Once cooked, let the chicken cool, then shred or dice it into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Mix the Base: In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, freshly squeezed lemon juice or vinegar, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir until smooth and well incorporated to create the creamy dressing.
  3. Add Crunch and Flavor: Fold in chopped celery and green onions or chives for freshness and texture. Add any optional extras like fruits, nuts, herbs, or spices based on your preferred variation.
  4. Combine Chicken and Dressing: Gently mix the shredded chicken with the dressing mixture, ensuring every piece is coated without mashing the chicken to maintain an ideal texture.
  5. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the chicken salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and serve chilled for the best taste experience.

Notes

  • Use leftover chicken to save time and reduce waste while maintaining flavor.
  • Pat chicken and celery dry to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
  • Use cold mayonnaise and crisp veggies to help keep the salad fresh and firm.
  • Adjust the creaminess by adding more mayonnaise or a splash of milk if desired.
  • Choose fresh herbs over dried to brighten the dish with aromatic notes.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken salad, easy chicken salad, creamy chicken salad, chicken salad chick, healthy chicken salad, meal prep chicken salad, kid-friendly chicken salad