Easy Ina Garten Curry Chicken Salad Recipe That’s Perfect for Lunch

Curry chicken salad transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary adventure, offering a vibrant medley of flavors that dance across your palate.

Complex spices weave through tender meat, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Global influences shine in this classic comfort food, elevating a simple protein to something truly memorable.

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building depth and character within the dish.

Her signature technique ensures every bite delivers maximum deliciousness without overwhelming the senses.

The delicate balance of creamy, crunchy, and zesty elements makes this recipe irresistibly appealing to diverse palates.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this chicken salad promises a delightful dining experience that will have everyone asking for seconds:

What Makes Ina Garten’s Curry Chicken Salad Special

• Savor Exotic Flavor Fusion: This recipe transforms ordinary chicken salad into a vibrant culinary adventure by blending traditional ingredients with bold curry and sweet chutney, creating a taste profile that dances between familiar comfort and exciting global inspiration.
• Enjoy Effortless Gourmet Cooking: Ina Garten's method simplifies sophisticated cooking by using straightforward roasting techniques and a food processor, making restaurant-quality chicken salad accessible for home cooks without complex skills or hours of preparation.
• Celebrate Textural Wonderland: The dish delivers a delightful sensory experience with tender roasted chicken, crunchy cashews, crisp celery, and plump raisins, offering multiple layers of texture in every single bite that keeps your palate intrigued and satisfied.
• Perfect for Versatile Dining: This chicken salad works brilliantly as a quick lunch, elegant picnic option, sophisticated party appetizer, or light summer meal, making it an incredibly adaptable recipe that suits numerous occasions and meal scenarios.

Ingredients List for Curry Chicken Salad

• Chicken Breasts: Protein-rich base of the salad, best when bone-in for more flavor and moisture.
• Olive Oil: Helps coat chicken and promotes even roasting with a golden exterior.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing chicken's natural taste.
• Mayonnaise: Creamy base that binds the salad together, providing rich texture.
• White Wine: Adds subtle depth and brightness to the dressing.
• Chutney: Sweet and tangy condiment that gives complex flavor profile.
• Curry Powder: Signature spice that provides warm, aromatic undertones.
• Raisins, Onions, Celery: Classic mix-ins that add sweetness, sharpness, and crunch.
• Cashews: Provides nutty texture and additional protein, best when raw and unsalted.

How to Toss Curry Chicken Salad Ina’s Way

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange chicken breasts on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and generously season with salt and pepper. Roast for 35-40 minutes until fully cooked through.

Step 2: Cool and Shred Chicken

Allow chicken to cool completely. Carefully remove meat from bones, discarding skin. Tear or cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Step 3: Create Creamy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• White wine
• Chutney
• Curry powder
• 1 salt

Blend until smooth and well-incorporated.

Step 4: Combine Ingredients

• Raisins
• Chopped onions
• Diced celery

Ensure even distribution of ingredients.

Step 5: Chill and Enhance Flavors

Refrigerate the chicken salad for 2-3 hours, allowing flavors to meld together. Just before serving, sprinkle with fresh cashews.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from refrigerator 15 minutes before serving to take the chill off. Serve at room temperature as a delightful lunch or light dinner option.

Pro Tips for a Balanced Curry Flavor

• Boost Flavor Depth: Dry-toasting curry powder in a skillet awakens its complex aromatics, transforming the entire dish's taste profile.
• Enhance Texture Contrast: Roughly chop roasted almonds or cashews just before serving to add a delightful crunch against the creamy chicken mixture.
• Customize Heat Level: Adjust curry powder quantity or introduce cayenne pepper for personalized spiciness without overwhelming the main ingredients.
• Maximize Moisture Balance: Let roasted chicken cool completely before mixing to prevent soggy salad and preserve ideal texture.
• Elevate Freshness Factor: Incorporate finely chopped green onions or chives at the final mixing stage for a subtle, zesty kick.

Storing Curry Chicken Salad Correctly

• Airtight Container Mastery: Store the curry chicken salad in a high-quality, leak-proof glass container with a secure lid. Glass prevents odor absorption and maintains the salad's vibrant flavors better than plastic alternatives.
• Temperature Control: Keep the salad consistently chilled at 40°F or below in the refrigerator's main compartment. Avoid storing near the door where temperature fluctuates, which can compromise food safety and quality.
• Quick Consumption Strategy: Enjoy the salad within 2-3 days for peak taste and texture. Fresh ingredients like crisp celery and tender chicken are most delectable when consumed quickly after preparation.

Unique Variations for Curry Chicken Salad

• Spicy Moroccan Kick: Replace curry powder with harissa paste and add diced preserved lemons for a North African-inspired chicken salad with complex, vibrant flavors.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Swap chutney for fresh chopped oregano and mint, use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, and incorporate kalamata olives for a lighter, zesty version.
• Tropical Coconut Crunch: Substitute cashews with toasted macadamia nuts, add shredded coconut, and mix in diced mango for a Hawaiian-style chicken salad with sweet and nutty undertones.
• Herbaceous Green Garden: Replace raisins with fresh chopped green apples, mix in dill and parsley, and use a lighter mustard-based dressing for a crisp, refreshing chicken salad packed with herbal notes.

Wrap-Up to Ina’s Chicken Salad Recipe

Curry chicken salad emerges as culinary magic from Ina Garten’s brilliant kitchen repertoire.

Elegant proportions blend international flavors with classic comfort.

Savory chicken meets sweet raisins and crunchy cashews in perfect harmony.

Sophisticated palates will discover unexpected depth in each delightful bite.

Cool, creamy dressing whispers complexity through curry’s warm embrace.

Ina Garten Curry Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.5 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s curry chicken salad combines creamy textures with zesty spices from classic Mediterranean influences. Tender chicken pieces mingle with crunchy celery, sweet raisins, and a luxurious curry-infused mayonnaise dressing that elevates this classic recipe to gourmet status.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 3 whole (6 split) chicken breasts, bone-in, skin-on

Spices and Liquids:

• 3 tablespoons curry powder
• ⅓ cup dry white wine
• ¼ cup chutney (recommended: Major Grey’s)
• 1.5 cups mayonnaise (recommended: Hellman’s)

Vegetables, Fruits, and Nuts:

• 1 cup medium-diced celery (2 large stalks)
• ¼ cup chopped scallions, white and green parts (2 scallions)
• ¼ cup raisins
• 1 cup whole roasted, salted cashews
• Olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Arrange chicken breasts on the baking sheet, generously drizzle with olive oil, and season thoroughly with salt and black pepper. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
3. Allow the roasted chicken to cool completely, then carefully remove the meat from the bones, discarding the skin and shredding into bite-sized pieces.
4. In a food processor, combine mayonnaise, white wine, mango chutney, curry powder, and salt. Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and well-incorporated.
5. Transfer the shredded chicken to a large mixing bowl and pour the prepared dressing over the meat. Gently fold to ensure even coating.
6. Incorporate chopped raisins, diced red onions, and finely chopped celery into the chicken mixture, stirring until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
7. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
8. Just before serving, fold in roasted cashew nuts for added crunch and texture. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

• Unlock deep, complex flavors by toasting curry powder in a dry skillet until fragrant, releasing its rich aromatic oils.
• Elevate the chicken’s taste profile by marinating it in a zesty blend of olive oil, salt, pepper, and curry powder for at least 30 minutes before roasting.
• Brighten the entire dish with a splash of fresh lemon juice in the dressing, cutting through rich flavors and adding vibrant acidity.
• Craft a perfect balance by adjusting the chutney’s sweetness with a touch of vinegar or extra lemon juice, preventing the salad from becoming cloying.
• Finish the plate with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or parsley, transforming the presentation and adding a final layer of herbal freshness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 635 kcal
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg