Chicken salad is a delicious and healthy lunch option, but without the right ingredients, it can taste bland. According to foodie experts, adding one unusual ingredient can instantly transform its flavour.
The Secret Ingredient: Grapes
On her food blog, the Pioneer Woman shared her secret for a light, creamy, and flavourful chicken salad: simply add some grapes. This juicy fruit provides a hint of sweetness that cuts through the creaminess and zest of the dressing.
She said: "This version has a light but creamy base, fresh herbs, crunchy bits, and the perfect hint of sweetness. And the great thing about this recipe is that you can use the steps and ingredients as a basis for your own unique recipe."
Pile it on toasted bread or croissants with lettuce and tomato for a sandwich, eat it with crackers, or serve a scoop on lettuce leaves with assorted fruit and fancy crackers for a pretty presentation when feeding guests. This salad is ideal for meal prep and will last for around four days in the fridge if stored in an airtight container.
Chicken Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- One small roast chicken
- Three stalks celery, chopped
- Three spring onions, chopped
- Three cups grapes, halved
- Half cup mayonnaise
- Half cup plain yogurt or sour cream
- Juice of a lemon
- Two tbsp brown sugar
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- Small handful fresh dill, minced
- Cayenne pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
Method
- Place the chicken in a large pot of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until fully cooked, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from pot, pull meat off bones, chop into bite-size chunks, and set aside.
- In a large bowl, add the chopped chicken, celery, spring onion, and grapes.
- In a separate bowl, combine mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, brown sugar, salt, pepper, dill, and cayenne pepper.
- When the dressing tastes right, pour it over the chicken mixture and stir gently until thoroughly mixed. Stir in almonds.
- Chill for several hours or overnight. Serve on a bed of lettuce, in a sandwich, or on its own.
