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Chicken Salad

Chicken Salad

  • Author: Michael
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This vibrant and easy chicken salad recipe combines tender cooked chicken with fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, and a creamy plant-based mayonnaise dressing. Ready in under 20 minutes, it offers a fresh, flavorful, and customizable meal perfect for lunches, dinners, sandwiches, or salads, balancing lean protein with crunchy and creamy textures.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 2 cups cooked skinless, boneless chicken breast or thighs, shredded or diced

Vegetables

  • 1/2 cup celery, diced
  • 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup bell peppers, diced

Fruits

  • 1/2 cup apples, diced or 1/2 cup grapes, halved

Herbs

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped

Dressing

  • 1/3 cup plant-based mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon natural mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon natural gelling agent

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Start by shredding or dicing your cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Ensure that the chicken is fully cooled if freshly cooked to maintain texture and flavor balance.
  2. Chop the Vegetables and Fruits: Dice celery, cucumber, and bell peppers along with your choice of fruits such as apples or grapes into small, uniform pieces to allow even flavor distribution and a delightful crunch.
  3. Make the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together plant-based mayonnaise, natural mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, black pepper, and the natural gelling agent until smooth and creamy with a slight tang to brighten the salad.
  4. Combine Ingredients: Gently fold together the chicken, chopped vegetables, fruits, and herbs in a large mixing bowl. Pour the dressing over the mixture and carefully fold to coat all ingredients without breaking down the veggies or fruits.
  5. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the chicken salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the dressing to firm slightly, enhancing the overall texture and taste before serving.

Notes

  • Use day-old chicken for better flavor absorption.
  • Fold ingredients gently to maintain texture and avoid mushiness.
  • Taste dressing before mixing and adjust seasoning as needed.
  • Fresh herbs elevate the salad’s flavor.
  • Add nuts or seeds just before serving to preserve crunch.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 350mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 10g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 20g
  • Cholesterol: 65mg

Keywords: chicken salad, easy chicken salad, healthy chicken salad, plant-based dressing, gluten free chicken salad, quick lunch, light dinner

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