Zesty Farm-to-Fork Chicken Salad Recipe for Lunch Joy

Summers call for light, refreshing meals that don’t compromise on flavor, and this simple chicken salad recipe hits all the right notes.

Tender chunks of grilled chicken mingle with crisp vegetables and a zesty dressing that makes every bite sing.

The combination of fresh ingredients creates a delightful balance of textures and tastes that will keep you coming back for more.

Packed with protein and vibrant colors, this salad works brilliantly for quick lunches or casual dinners.

Each forkful promises a delicious experience that feels both satisfying and wholesome.

Minimal effort yields maximum enjoyment, making this chicken salad a go-to option for anyone seeking a nutritious and quick meal solution.

Dive into this culinary delight and savor every delectable moment.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 5

Simple Chicken Salad Ingredient List

• Chicken Breast: Lean, tender meat that provides a delicate flavor and protein boost, choose fresh, boneless cuts for easy preparation.
• Iceberg Lettuce: Crisp base that adds refreshing crunch and light texture, select bright green leaves without brown edges.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy binding agent that brings smooth consistency, opt for high-quality, real egg-based varieties.
• Preserves: Adds subtle sweetness and depth, select fruit preserves without chunky pieces for even distribution.
• Lemon Juice: Bright acidic element that balances flavors and tenderizes ingredients, use fresh-squeezed for maximum zest.

• Celery: Provides subtle peppery bite and satisfying crunch, choose firm stalks with vibrant green color.
• Bell Pepper: Adds colorful freshness and slight sweetness, pick firm peppers without soft spots.
• Red Onion: Introduces sharp, tangy undertone, select firm bulbs with tight, papery skin.
• Apple: Brings unexpected sweetness and crisp texture, choose firm, slightly tart varieties like Granny Smith.
• Olives: Delivers briny, complex flavor, select pitted olives for easier eating.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning to elevate and balance overall taste, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum flavor.

Chicken Salad Tools You’ll Use

• Large pot: Essential for poaching chicken with plenty of salted water.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining dressing ingredients and mixing salad components.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping chicken, vegetables, and fruits safely.
• Sharp knife: Critical for dicing chicken, celery, bell pepper, onion, and apple precisely.
• Measuring tablespoon: Helps accurately measure salt and other ingredients.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring dressing and mixing salad ingredients gently.

Chicken Salad Instructions Step-by-Step

• Chicken Preparation

Gently simmer chicken pieces in salted water until perfectly tender, allowing the meat to cook evenly and retain its moisture.

• Flavor Foundation

Create a zesty blend of creamy mayonnaise with tangy lemon juice and sweet preserves, whisking until smooth and well-combined.

• Colorful Companions

Chop a vibrant mix of crisp vegetables and fruits, adding delightful texture and fresh flavors to the salad.

• Harmonious Mixture

Combine tender chicken pieces with the creamy dressing and crunchy vegetable medley, ensuring every bite is packed with deliciousness.

• Final Touch

Just before serving, gently fold in crisp lettuce to maintain its refreshing crunch and keep the salad light and inviting.

Tips for Customizing Chicken Salad

• Swap poaching with grilling, roasting, or using rotisserie chicken for different flavor profiles and textures.
• Replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, sour cream, or avocado for lighter, tangier, or creamier versions of the salad.
• Incorporate additional ingredients like chopped nuts, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, or quinoa to increase protein and add crunch.
• Experiment with herbs and spices such as dill, tarragon, curry powder, or smoked paprika to elevate the salad's taste and create unique flavor combinations.
• Serve chilled for a refreshing summer meal or warm for a comforting winter lunch, adapting the recipe to suit seasonal preferences.

Great Ways to Serve Chicken Salad

• Picnic Perfect Plate: Serve this chicken salad on a bed of fresh, crisp lettuce leaves for a light and refreshing meal that screams summer afternoon.
• Sandwich Sensation: Spread the chicken salad between two slices of toasted whole grain bread or stuff it into a soft croissant for a satisfying lunch option that's bursting with flavor.
• Elegant Appetizer Bites: Scoop small portions onto endive leaves or cucumber rounds for an impressive and bite-sized party appetizer that looks as good as it tastes.
• Salad Bowl Delight: Create a vibrant salad bowl by layering the chicken mixture over mixed greens, adding extra crunch with toasted nuts or seeds for a nutritious and filling meal.

Chicken Salad: Best Storage Practices

• Refrigerator Longevity: Store chicken salad in an airtight container for 3-4 days, keeping it chilled at 40°F or below to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Smart Serving Strategy: Keep lettuce separate until serving time to prevent soggy texture and maintain crisp, refreshing crunch for maximum enjoyment.
• Lunch Prep Champion: Perfect make-ahead option for quick workplace meals or picnic baskets, allowing flavors to meld overnight in the refrigerator.
• Freezing Caution: Not recommended for freezing due to mayonnaise-based dressing, which can separate and compromise texture when thawed.

Crunchy Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Home cooks can elevate ordinary chicken salad with fresh herbs and crunchy almonds. Mediterranean-inspired ingredients create a light, satisfying meal perfect for lunch or dinner.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 to 3 cups cooked chicken meat
• 1 lb (454 g) raw boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2 ½-inch chunks
• ⅓ head iceberg lettuce, sliced and chopped
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• ½ red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• ¼ cup chopped red onion
• 4 to 6 green olives, pitted and minced
• ½ to 1 apple, cored and chopped
• 5 tbsps (75 ml) mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) plum preserves or any sweet berry preserve
• 2 tsps (10 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Poach Chicken: Create a salted water bath in a deep pot, bringing to a boil. Submerge chicken, reduce heat, cover, and let cook in residual warmth for 15 minutes until tender and moist.
2. Craft Dressing: Whisk mayonnaise, preserves, and lemon juice in a large mixing bowl. Season with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor complexity.
3. Vegetable Preparation: Dice celery, bell peppers, olives, red onion, and apple chunks. Fold these vibrant ingredients into the creamy dressing, creating a textural symphony.
4. Chicken Integration: Cool poached chicken briefly, then dice into uniform bite-sized pieces. Gently incorporate into the dressed vegetable mixture, ensuring balanced flavor distribution.
5. Final Assembly: Just before serving, tear or chop crisp iceberg lettuce and delicately mix into the salad, providing a fresh, crunchy foundation that elevates the entire dish’s sensory experience.

Notes

• Poaching Perfection: Use gentle heat and residual warmth to prevent tough, dry chicken – ensures tender, succulent meat every time.
• Dressing Balance: Whisk mayonnaise, preserves, and lemon juice carefully to create a harmonious blend of tangy, sweet, and zesty flavors.
• Vegetable Variety: Dice ingredients uniformly for consistent texture and ensure each bite delivers a complex flavor profile with crunch and brightness.
• Serve Fresh: Add crisp lettuce just before serving to maintain maximum crispness and prevent wilting, keeping the salad vibrant and appetizing.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Poaching
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg