Chicken salad is a versatile and satisfying dish that can be enjoyed in many ways, from sandwiches to wraps to a simple salad on its own. With the right combination of ingredients and flavors, you can create a chicken salad that is not only delicious but also nutritious and satisfying. In this recipe, I’ll share three secrets for making a truly exceptional chicken salad, along with two top-rated variations that are sure to become favorites in your kitchen. Whether you prefer a classic chicken salad with grapes and almonds or a tangy buffalo chicken salad with blue cheese, these recipes are perfect for meal prep, picnics, or quick and easy lunches.
Ingredients for Classic Chicken Salad:
For the Chicken Salad:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
- 1/2 cup celery, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced
- 1/2 cup grapes, halved
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Buffalo Chicken Salad:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
- 1/4 cup celery, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/4 cup carrots, shredded
- 1/4 cup blue cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
How to Make Classic Chicken Salad:
- Prepare the Chicken: If you haven’t already, cook the chicken breast by grilling, baking, or poaching until fully cooked. Once cooked, let it cool slightly before dicing or shredding it into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, diced celery, diced red onion, halved grapes, and toasted sliced almonds.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Mix Dressing with Salad: Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the chicken salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled and enjoy!
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Salad:
- Prepare the Chicken: Cook the chicken breast as instructed for the classic chicken salad. Once cooked, let it cool slightly before dicing or shredding it into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, diced celery, diced red onion, shredded carrots, and crumbled blue cheese.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the buffalo sauce, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Mix Dressing with Salad: Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the buffalo chicken salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled and enjoy!
About the Main Ingredients:
Chicken: Chicken is the star of these salads, providing lean protein and a neutral base for the other flavors to shine. Whether you prefer grilled, baked, or poached chicken breast, make sure it is fully cooked and diced or shredded into bite-sized pieces for easy mixing.
Celery: Celery adds crunch and a fresh, vegetal flavor to the salads. It also provides dietary fiber and essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin K and potassium.
Red Onion: Red onion adds a sharp, slightly spicy flavor to the salads, as well as a pop of color. If you find raw onion too pungent, you can soak it in cold water for a few minutes to mellow out the flavor before adding it to the salad.
Grapes: Grapes add sweetness and juiciness to the classic chicken salad, balancing out the savory and tangy flavors. Choose seedless grapes and slice them in half for easy mixing.
Sliced Almonds: Toasted sliced almonds add a nutty crunch and texture to the classic chicken salad. To toast almonds, simply spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and fragrant.
Blue Cheese: Blue cheese adds a bold and tangy flavor to the buffalo chicken salad, complementing the spicy buffalo sauce. If you’re not a fan of blue cheese, you can substitute it with crumbled feta or goat cheese for a milder option.
Buffalo Sauce: Buffalo sauce adds heat and tanginess to the buffalo chicken salad, giving it a distinctive flavor reminiscent of classic buffalo wings. You can adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to suit your taste preferences, adding more for extra heat or less for a milder flavor.
With these two delicious chicken salad recipes and the secrets for making them shine, you’ll be able to create flavorful and satisfying meals that are perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re craving a classic combination of grapes and almonds or the bold flavors of buffalo sauce and blue cheese, these salads are sure to please your taste buds and leave you satisfied. Enjoy experimenting with different ingredients and variations to make these recipes your own!
