Ultimate Chicken Salad Recipe
This Ultimate Chicken Salad is a refreshing and flavorful side dish made with tender poached chicken breasts, crisp celery, sweet red grapes, crunchy almonds, and a creamy mayonnaise-mustard dressing, flavored with fresh herbs and lemon juice. Perfect for a light lunch or picnic, it combines simple ingredients for a delicious and easy-to-make salad.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup red grapes, quartered
- 2 celery ribs, diced
- 3 green onions, sliced (green and white parts)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ cup sliced raw almonds
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped tarragon
- 1 lemon, juiced (about 3 tablespoons)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Poach the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a wide pot and cover with cold water by about an inch. Season the water with kosher salt and add any aromatics if desired. Bring the water to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Simmer the chicken: Once simmering, reduce heat to low and cover the pot. Allow the chicken to cook for 8 to 12 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F to 165°F. Then remove the chicken and let it rest for a few minutes before chilling in the refrigerator.
- Dice the chicken: After the chicken is chilled, transfer it to a cutting board and dice into ½-inch pieces. Place diced chicken in a large mixing bowl.
- Add remaining ingredients: To the bowl with chicken, add quartered grapes, diced celery, sliced green onions, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, sliced almonds, chopped parsley, chopped tarragon, and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Season and mix: Season the mixture with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir all ingredients together until well combined.
- Chill before serving: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the chicken salad until ready to serve, allowing flavors to meld.
- Serve: Transfer the chicken salad to a serving bowl and garnish with additional fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy as a side dish or light meal.
Notes
- Poaching the chicken ensures it remains tender and juicy for the salad.
- Feel free to add aromatics such as garlic, bay leaves, or peppercorns while poaching for extra flavor.
- Adjust mayo and mustard quantities to your taste preferences.
- For a nut-free version, omit the almonds or substitute with seeds.
- Chicken salad can be made a day ahead and stored covered in the fridge for best flavor.
- Serve chilled for the most refreshing taste.
Find it online: https://recipefeastful.com/ultimate-chicken-salad-recipe/