Description
Creamy classic chicken salad delivers a delightful blend of tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and zesty mayo. Cool, refreshing flavors make this dish perfect for lunch or picnic gatherings you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 3 cups (680 grams) cooked chicken, shredded
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) chopped fresh dill
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) salt
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 grams) black pepper
Creamy Base and Mix-ins:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup (40 grams) chopped celery
- 1/4 cup (40 grams) chopped onion
- 1/4 cup (30 grams) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Shred the cooked chicken into fine, uniform pieces using two forks, ensuring no large chunks remain.
- Finely dice the celery and onion to provide a consistent, delicate crunch throughout the salad.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, gently fold the mayonnaise and Greek yogurt into the shredded chicken, creating a creamy base.
- Incorporate the diced celery and onion, ensuring even distribution of vegetables throughout the mixture.
- Add the Dijon mustard, fresh dill, salt, and pepper, carefully stirring to blend all flavors harmoniously.
- Thoroughly mix the ingredients until they are completely integrated, achieving a smooth and cohesive texture.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30-45 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
- Before serving, give the salad a quick stir to redistribute the ingredients and restore its creamy consistency.
- Present the chicken salad as a standalone dish, nestled between soft bread slices, atop crisp crackers, or wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves.
Notes
- Swap Greek yogurt with dairy-free alternatives like coconut yogurt for a vegan version that maintains creamy texture.
- Reduce mayonnaise calories by using half mayo and half mashed avocado for a healthier twist with added nutrients.
- Customize protein by using rotisserie, grilled, or poached chicken depending on your preferred cooking method and flavor profile.
- Add extra crunch with toasted nuts like almonds or chopped walnuts for increased texture and nutritional value.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 287 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 430 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg