Are you looking for a quick and delicious meal that the whole family will love? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Today, I’m excited to share my Simple Chicken Salad Recipe that you can whip up in just 30 minutes. This recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights when you need something nutritious and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. Plus, it’s a fantastic option for quick family dinners and pairs beautifully with some easy pasta recipes for a complete meal!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare in just 30 minutes.
- Packed with fresh ingredients for a burst of flavor.
- Versatile – customize it with your favorite veggies and fruits.
- Perfect for meal prep or a light lunch.
- Great for using up leftover chicken!
Ingredients
To make this delightful chicken salad, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) raw boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2 ½-inch chunks
- 2 to 3 cups cooked chicken meat
- 2 ribs celery, chopped
- ½ red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 4 to 6 green olives, pitted and minced
- ¼ cup chopped red onion
- ½ to 1 apple, cored and chopped
- ⅓ head iceberg lettuce, sliced and chopped
- 5 tablespoons (75 milliliters) mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) plum preserves or any sweet berry preserve
- 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Full ingredient list with measurements is provided in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make the Recipe
Now, let’s dive into the steps to create this scrumptious chicken salad:
- Prepare a generously salted water bath in a deep pot, bringing it to a rolling boil for poaching chicken breast chunks.
- Submerge chicken pieces into the hot liquid, reduce heat to a gentle simmer, then immediately remove from heat and cover the pot.
- Allow chicken to cook slowly in the residual warmth for approximately 15 minutes, ensuring tender and moist meat.
- Create a vibrant dressing by whisking together tangy mayonnaise, sweet preserves, and zesty lemon juice in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Fine-tune the dressing’s flavor profile by carefully adjusting seasoning with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Incorporate a colorful medley of crisp vegetables and fruits: diced celery, vibrant bell peppers, briny olives, sharp red onion, and sweet apple chunks into the creamy dressing.
- Extract poached chicken from its cooking liquid, allowing it to cool briefly before meticulously dicing into bite-sized pieces.
- Gently fold the diced chicken into the dressed vegetable mixture, ensuring even distribution of flavors and textures.
- When ready to serve, delicately integrate fresh, crisp iceberg lettuce, torn or chopped, to maintain its crunch and provide a refreshing base for the salad.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
Here are some helpful suggestions to elevate your chicken salad:
- For added flavor, consider marinating the chicken in your favorite spices before poaching.
- Feel free to swap out the vegetables based on what you have on hand or your personal preferences.
- If you like a bit of crunch, add some chopped nuts or seeds to the salad.
- For a creamier texture, increase the amount of mayonnaise or add a dollop of Greek yogurt.
- Don’t forget to check out my High Protein Chicken Salad for another delicious twist!
How to Serve
This chicken salad is incredibly versatile! You can serve it:
- On a bed of fresh greens for a light lunch.
- In a sandwich or wrap for a hearty meal.
- With crackers or pita chips for a delightful snack.
- As a side dish at your next gathering or picnic.
- For more ideas, check out my High Protein Creamy Chilli Chicken Enchiladas!
Make Ahead and Storage
This chicken salad is perfect for meal prep! You can make it ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just keep it in an airtight container to maintain freshness. If you’re planning to serve it later, I recommend adding the lettuce just before serving to keep it crisp. And if you have any leftovers, they make a fantastic filling for a quick lunch the next day!
So there you have it! A Chicken Salad Recipe Easy enough for any weeknight dinner and delicious enough to impress your family. I hope you enjoy making this as much as I do. Happy cooking!
Simple Chicken Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Poach chicken in boiling salted water, then cool and dice.
- Whisk mayonnaise, preserves, and lemon juice to make dressing.
- Mix vegetables, fruits, and dressing in a bowl.
- Add diced chicken to the mixture and fold gently.
- Gently fold in chopped lettuce before serving.