Simple Chicken Salad Recipe

Chicken salad is a favorite among those who enjoy a lighter meal packed with flavor. This versatile dish can be served as a main course or as a side to complement other dishes. If you're looking for an easy yet delicious option, try our simple chicken salad recipe!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked and cubed chicken
• 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cucumber slices (for garnish)

Cooking Time: 20 minutes, plus time for the chicken to cool. Servings: 4 people.

Step-by-step guide on how to prepare this simple yet tasty dish:

Preparation Steps:

1. Prepare the Chicken Salad Base: Begin by mixing together the mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard in a medium-sized bowl. Set this mixture aside.
2. Cook your chicken as per instructions. For best results, make sure that it is fully cooked before you start the salad. Once cooled down, dice or cube the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
3. Once the chicken has been cubed and the dressing mixed well, add half of the chicken to the bowl with the creamy mixture. Stir gently but thoroughly until everything blends together smoothly.
4. Add in the finely chopped celery along with salt and pepper as per your preference. You can also adjust seasoning according to taste. Continue mixing gently so that all components are evenly distributed throughout the salad.
5. Finally, fold in the remaining chicken cubes into the already prepared mixture carefully without overmixing it too much because you don’t want to break down the texture of your chicken.

Garnishing:

• Clean cucumber slices are great for garnish as they add a refreshing touch. Place them around or on top of the salad before serving.

Optional Additions:

1. You might want to consider adding some nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans if you prefer something crunchy with your salad instead of just celery sticks.
2. An alternative would be raisins, currants, or dried cranberries for those who love sweetness mixed into their savory dishes.

Serving Suggestions:

• This chicken salad can be served cold. It works wonderfully with lettuce leaves as a wrap or sandwich filling.
• For added texture and flavor, consider serving this alongside some potato chips or rice cakes.
• Pineapple chunks also make excellent additions to this dish; just ensure they are chopped finely enough not to overwhelm the overall taste profile of your salad.

Tips for Success:

• The key to achieving a perfect balance between creamy and crunchy is in how you handle each ingredient during preparation. Avoid over-mixing when incorporating all elements into one cohesive dish.
• To keep the texture fresh without becoming soggy, ensure that any wet ingredients like diced tomatoes or cucumbers are added only just before serving time so they retain their crispiness right up until consumption.

Storage Guidelines:

• If you're not planning to consume your homemade chicken salad immediately after preparation, store it in an airtight container and refrigerate. It should stay fresh for about 2-3 days.
• To extend its shelf life even further, consider freezing portions of this dish individually wrapped or packed into ice cube trays for easy portioning later on down the line.

This simple chicken salad recipe offers an excellent way to enjoy a quick and healthy meal while being mindful about what goes into your food. Whether you're looking for something light during lunchtime or seeking inspiration for dinner party menus, this dish is versatile enough to suit various occasions.