Chicken salad is a classic dish that is perfect for summer lunches or light dinners. When the weather is hot, a chilled chicken salad really hits the spot. The possibilities for variations on chicken salad are endless, but here are five of my favorite flavorful recipes to try.
Curry Chicken Salad: For an exotic twist, add curry powder, raisins, and cashews to cooked and shredded chicken. Mix with mayonnaise and season with salt and pepper. Serve the curried chicken salad in pita bread, on a bed of lettuce, or on its own. The sweetness of the raisins pairs perfectly with the spicy curry flavor.
BBQ Chicken Salad: Shred cooked chicken and toss with your favorite barbecue rub or sauce. Mix the barbecue chicken with mayonnaise and chopped red onion, celery, and dill pickles. Season with extra barbecue rub, salt, and pepper. The barbecue chicken salad is delicious on a bun, in a lettuce wrap or served on its own.
Waldorf Chicken Salad: For a classic chicken salad, mix shredded chicken, mayonnaise, diced apples, chopped walnuts, and seedless grapes. Season with a bit of lemon juice, salt, and pepper. The Waldorf chicken salad is crunchy, creamy, and naturally sweet. Serve it on a bed of lettuce or in a pita.
Avocado Chicken Salad: Mash half an avocado and mix it into shredded chicken and mayonnaise. Season with lime or lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Diced tomatoes and cilantro are also great additions. The avocado adds creaminess and a slight nutty flavor to the chicken salad. Serve the avocado chicken salad on bread, in lettuce cups or on its own.
Pesto Chicken Salad: Mix shredded chicken, mayonnaise, and prepared pesto sauce. Add sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, and parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper. The fresh herbal flavor of the pesto pairs wonderfully with the chicken. Serve the pesto chicken salad on ciabatta bread, in lettuce cups or on its own.
The key to a great chicken salad is using ingredients you love and balancing flavors and textures. Shredded chicken provides a perfect blank canvas for bold flavors and mix-ins. Enjoy!