Quick & Tasty Joy Of Cooking Chicken Salad Recipe

Joy of Cooking’s chicken salad transforms ordinary ingredients into a vibrant culinary experience that tantalizes taste buds.

Crisp vegetables and tender poultry dance together in a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

Creamy mayonnaise binds the components, creating a luxurious base that elevates simple ingredients.

Each bite promises a delightful balance of freshness and richness that feels both comforting and exciting.

The subtle interplay of herbs and spices adds depth and complexity to this classic dish.

Balanced and versatile, this recipe adapts easily to personal preferences and dietary needs.

Crunchy elements provide satisfying contrast to the smooth, velvety dressing: dive in and savor every mouthful.

Chicken Salad That Hits the Spot: Why You’ll Love It

• Savor Quick Deliciousness: This chicken salad recipe takes just 15 minutes to prepare, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want a fast and flavorful meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Celebrate Vibrant Flavor Combinations: Red grapes add a sweet burst, while red onion and celery provide a crisp, zesty crunch that transforms a simple chicken salad into an exciting taste adventure with balanced and unexpected ingredients.
• Enjoy Flexible Meal Versatility: Serve this chicken salad immediately for a fresh lunch or store it in an airtight container for up to 5 days, giving you multiple meal options and saving precious time during hectic weekdays.
• Experience Healthy Protein Power: Packed with lean protein from chicken and loaded with fresh vegetables, this recipe offers a nutritious option that delivers 389 calories and supports a balanced diet without sacrificing incredible taste.

Fresh & Tasty: Chicken Salad Essentials

Main Ingredients:

• Cooked Chicken: Protein-rich base that provides the main texture and flavor of the salad.
• Red Grapes: Sweet and juicy addition that offers a burst of freshness and subtle sweetness.
• Red Onion: Sharp and crisp vegetable that adds a zesty crunch to the salad.
• Celery: Crunchy vegetable that provides a light, refreshing texture and subtle flavor.

Seasoning Ingredients:

• Lemon Juice: Bright, tangy liquid that helps balance flavors and adds a citrusy brightness.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
• Garlic Powder: Convenient seasoning that adds a mild, aromatic garlic flavor.
• Onion Powder: Provides a concentrated onion flavor without the texture of fresh onions.
• Black Pepper: Warm, slightly spicy seasoning that adds depth to the salad's flavor profile.

Easy Steps to a Flavorful Chicken Salad

Step 1: Gather Fresh Ingredients

• Cooked chicken (shredded or chopped)
• Red grapes
• Red onion
• Celery

Ensure all ingredients are fresh and crisp.

Step 2: Create Flavorful Dressing

• Lemon juice
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Black pepper

Whisk ingredients until well blended.

Step 3: Combine And Season

Toss chicken, grapes, onion, and celery in a large mixing bowl.

Drizzle prepared dressing over ingredients.

Gently mix to ensure even coating.

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired.

Step 4: Store And Serve

Serve immediately for maximum freshness.

For storage, transfer to an airtight container.

Refrigerate for up to 3 to 5 days.

Pro Tips for a Crowd-Pleasing Dish

• Lighten the Load: Swap out half the mayonnaise with creamy Greek yogurt for a zesty, healthier twist that keeps your chicken salad feeling indulgent.
• Crack Open the Crunch: Toss in toasted walnuts or sliced almonds to give your salad a satisfying texture that'll make every bite more exciting.
• Mellow Out the Onion: Soak diced red onions in cold water for 10 minutes to dial down their intense bite, creating a more balanced flavor profile.
• Grape Expectations: Experiment with green grapes or quickly roast them in the oven to introduce a surprising sweetness that dances on your taste buds.
• Flavor Bomb Chicken: Grill or roast a mix of white and dark meat to unlock deeper, smokier notes that transform your ordinary chicken salad into something extraordinary.

Store It Right: Chicken Salad Preservation

• Vacuum Seal: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer to remove excess air, preventing oxidation and maintaining the crisp texture of chicken and vegetables. Professional chefs recommend this method for preserving delicate salad ingredients and extending refrigerator life up to 4 days.
• Glass Container Strategy: Transfer chicken salad to a glass container with a tight-fitting lid, creating an airtight seal that protects against flavor absorption and bacterial growth. Transparent containers allow quick visual checks and help track storage duration.
• Temperature Control: Keep chicken salad consistently chilled at 40°F or below, using the coldest part of the refrigerator. Position container away from the door to minimize temperature fluctuations that can compromise food quality and safety.

Mix It Up: Fun Chicken Salad Variations

• Summer Fresh Herb Chicken Salad: Enhance the recipe by adding chopped fresh dill, parsley, and chives for a bright, herbal flavor profile that elevates the classic chicken salad.
• Crunchy Nutty Version: Incorporate toasted almonds or chopped walnuts to introduce extra texture and a rich, nutty dimension to the original recipe.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Blend: Mix in crumbled feta cheese, diced cucumber, and kalamata olives to transform the chicken salad with a Greek-inspired twist.
• Spicy Southwest Chicken Salad: Add diced jalapeños, a splash of hot sauce, and a sprinkle of cumin to give the dish a zesty, southwestern kick that awakens the taste buds.

Final Bite: Chicken Salad Conclusion

Classic chicken salad delivers pure culinary comfort with minimal effort.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients dance together, creating harmonious flavor profiles.

Crisp celery and sweet red grapes provide delightful textural contrasts in each delectable bite.

Kitchen magic happens through simple techniques blending fresh ingredients seamlessly.

Weekend meal preparation becomes effortless with this signature recipe.

Curious cooks can elevate their skills, share extraordinary results, spark conversation, and inspire fellow recipe enthusiasts to explore culinary creativity.

Joy Of Cooking Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy chicken salad brings Mediterranean charm to classic comfort. Crisp herbs, tangy Greek yogurt, and tender chicken create a refreshing lunch that transports palates to sunny coastal kitchens where you’ll savor each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 3 cups (710 ml) cooked chicken, chopped

Fruits and Vegetables:

• 1 cup (150 g) red grapes, cut in half
• ½ small red onion, diced small
• 2 stalks celery, diced

Seasonings and Dressing:

• ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise (light)
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. In a spacious mixing vessel, combine diced roasted chicken pieces, halved red grapes, finely chopped red onion, and thinly sliced celery for a vibrant and textural base.
2. Create a zesty dressing by whisking together freshly squeezed lemon juice, kosher salt, granulated garlic, powdered onion, and freshly ground black pepper in a separate small mixing bowl until thoroughly integrated.
3. Gently pour the prepared dressing over the chicken and grape mixture, using a folding technique to ensure even distribution and prevent grape or chicken piece breakage.
4. Taste the salad and carefully adjust seasoning, incrementally adding additional salt and pepper to achieve a balanced flavor profile that complements the natural sweetness of the grapes and savory chicken.
5. For optimal texture and flavor melding, refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes before serving, allowing the ingredients to harmonize and develop a more complex taste.
6. Store the chicken grape salad in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days, ensuring food safety by discarding if left at room temperature exceeding 2 hours.

Notes

• Savor the unexpected crunch from toasted almond slivers that elevate this salad’s texture and bring a delightful nutty undertone.
• Transform the dressing’s richness by swapping half the mayonnaise with creamy Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier profile.
• Mellow out sharp red onion bite by soaking diced pieces in cold water, creating a gentler flavor without losing the vegetable’s essence.
• Experiment with green grapes for a different sweetness level, and consider a quick oven roast to intensify their natural sugars.
• Select a combination of chicken cuts – dark and white meat – to build deeper, more complex flavor layers through roasting or grilling techniques.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 290 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg