There is a special comfort that comes with a classic homemade chicken salad. It’s not just a satisfying and nourishing dish but can also be prepared within minutes, making it an ideal option for a midweek meal. What’s more, there are endless possibilities for experimenting with different ingredients and flavors – from creamy renditions with mayonnaise to spicy and tangy versions, offering true versatility to the dish and ensuring no one ever gets bored.
Basic ingredients for a chicken salad
Chicken
The most integral part of a chicken salad is the protein itself. Try boiled or grilled chicken that is either shredded or cubed to get a piece of chicken in every bite.
Celery
Celery, lettuce, and other greens are a great way of adding more texture to the salad and bulking it out. Make sure to chop it into small, even pieces to make it easier to eat.
Onion
Another way to add more flavor and freshness to a salad is by adding some chopped green or red onion.
Nuts
Nuts like almonds and pecans are another brilliant way to play with textures and add nutrients to the salad. To enhance their flavors, it is advisable to toast them in a skillet beforehand.
Herbs
A handful of fresh or dried herbs like oregano, dill, thyme, basil, rosemary, tarragon, etc., can help elevate the salad to the next level.
Spices
A chicken salad is a wonderful neutral ground for experimenting with spices. Play with spices like ground cumin and smoked paprika to add depth of flavor to the salad. Or, for a kick of heat, throw in some chopped jalapenos.
Dressing
Mayonnaise is great for those looking for a creamy chicken salad. Mix in a spoon of Dijon mustard as well to add some tangy flavor. For a more Mediterranean-inspired salad, opt for a lemon-olive oil-vinegar dressing.
Other popular mix-ins in chicken salads include fruits like apples, pears, grapes, and/or cranberries for a burst of flavor and sweetness, avocados (for essential fats and creaminess), bacon bits, and different types of cheese.
Popular chicken salad recipes to try
1. Classic chicken salad
To make a classic chicken salad, mix about four cups of cooked and diced chicken breast with some seedless red grapes, celery, onions, and toasted pecans. Top this with a delicious mayonnaise-based dressing.
If an all-mayo dressing seems too heavy, feel free to halve the quantity and bulk out the rest with Greek yogurt or sour cream. Squeeze in some lime, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
This salad tastes best when served cold. Serve it as it is, or between some bread to create a delicious, filling, and well-rounded lunch.
2. Mediterranean-inspired chicken salad
Beat the heat with this Mediterranean-inspired chicken salad. Start by mixing some olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, parsley, basil, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper to make a marinade.
Take half of this mixture and marinate the chicken in it. Let it rest for up to an hour, and then grill it. While the chicken cooks and rests, prepare the other ingredients for the salad. Chop some lettuce, cucumber, tomato, onion, avocado, and olives, and toss the rest of the dressing through it. Top it with the cooked chicken and a wedge of lime, and tuck in!
3. Chicken caesar salad
Caesar salads are a classic offering on restaurant menus across the country. Luckily, they are also rather easy to recreate at home (and make them better!).
Marinate a flattened chicken breast with some raw garlic, oil, salt, and pepper. Set it aside. After letting it rest for about 15 minutes, set it on a hot griddle pan and sear it on both sides for 4-5 minutes until cooked.
Instead of traditional croutons, tear up some sourdough bread for the salad. Place it on a baking sheet, and top it with some olive oil and parmesan cheese. Toss it all together, and bake it in the oven for about 20 minutes to make it crunchy.
To prepare the dressing, place the leftover garlic in a pestle and mortar and mash it with a handful of anchovies. Grate in some parmesan, and top with salt, pepper, mayo, mustard, and oil to make a creamy paste.
It’s finally time to serve. Chop the chicken and lettuce into bite-sized pieces and add the croutons and the dressing. Toss it all together and serve fresh.
4. Green goddess avocado salad
This green goddess salad received thunderous responses on social media. It’s loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and protein and can be whipped up rather quickly.
To make this green goddess salad, start by grilling or frying some chicken breast in a pan for 4-5 minutes on each side until cooked.
While the chicken cooks, prepare the other ingredients. Finely slice some celery and radishes. Chop up green apple and cucumber as well. Separate the lettuce leaves, and pit and chop one avocado.
To prepare the dressing, pull out the food processor. Add a roughly chopped avocado, along with some Greek yogurt, chives, dill, parsley, spring onions, rice vinegar, a neutral oil, a clove of garlic, and some lemon juice. Blitz it well until the mixture is thin enough to drizzle on the salad.
Serving this salad is a child’s play. Chop up the cooked chicken and mix it with a few tablespoons of the dressing. Add the other prepared ingredients and mix well. Add more dressing, and adjust the seasoning to taste. Serve it cold with a thin slice of lime on the side.
