Description
Succulent chicken salad harmonizes tender meat with crisp vegetables and creamy dressing. Refreshing flavors and simple ingredients create a delightful lunch you’ll eagerly savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups / 300 grams cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
- ½ cup / 120 milliliters mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon / 15 milliliters Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon / 15 milliliters fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup / 40 grams red onion, finely chopped
- 1 stalk celery, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon / 4 grams fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup / 30 grams chopped toasted almonds or pecans (optional)
- ¼ cup / 40 grams grapes, halved (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Dressing Preparation: Whisk mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice in a large bowl until smooth and creamy, creating a luxurious base for the chicken salad.
- Protein Integration: Fold shredded chicken into the dressing, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated with the tangy sauce, creating a uniform mixture that promises rich flavor in every bite.
- Texture and Aromatics: Blend finely diced celery and red onion into the chicken mixture, introducing a crisp texture and sharp aromatic dimension that elevates the overall taste profile.
- Fruity and Nutty Layers: Gently incorporate halved grapes and toasted chopped nuts, adding bursts of sweet juiciness and nutty complexity that create an exciting sensory experience.
- Herbal Finishing: Sprinkle fresh parsley throughout the salad, infusing the dish with a vibrant green color and a clean, herbaceous note that brightens the entire composition.
- Seasoning and Harmonization: Season with kosher salt and black pepper, tasting and adjusting to achieve a perfectly balanced flavor. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow ingredients to meld and develop deeper taste connections.
- Serving Suggestions: Present chilled as a versatile filling for sandwiches, a topping for crisp greens, or a hearty wrap filling, offering multiple delicious ways to enjoy this classic dish.
Notes
- Optimize Chicken Texture: Poach or roast chicken breasts until just cooked through to maintain tenderness and prevent dryness, which can make the salad tough.
- Balance Moisture Ratio: Use a light hand when adding mayonnaise to avoid an overly wet or greasy consistency, allowing ingredients to blend harmoniously.
- Enhance Flavor Depth: Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow ingredients to meld and develop a more complex taste profile.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or avocado for a lighter, healthier version suitable for low-fat or dairy-free diets.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg