Spicy Chicken Salad
Well well well, if it isn't our good old friend chicken salad. The OG of salad, the one that started it all. Maybe you don’t actually like chicken salad that much because its just so boring.
Seriously, bad chicken salad can be a real snoozefest.
That's where I come in. Because the truth is, I was right there with you. A couple years ago I was visiting my mom and she had made a large vat of chicken salad from the end of her rotisserie chicken. She kept telling me it was delicious for 2 full days, encouraging me to try some. Finally, day 3 I caved.
Y’all, I don’t think I ever apologized to my mom so fast for doubting her. I thought it would be boring (if not altogether icky), but it was so good!
I stole and tweaked her recipe over time and now it’s one of my favorite ways to finish extra chicken. So buckle up, buttercup, because we're about to take your chicken salad game to the next level.
First things first, forget everything you thought you knew about chicken salad. We're talking about a salad that will make your taste buds dance the cha-cha slide.
Basically, your only instructions for this are to throw all the ingredients together measuring with your heart, and stir until every bite is magical. Remember, you can always adjust up!
As per most of my recipes, don’t be afraid to get creative with your ingredients!
Here are some of my staples:
Throw in some chopped grapes, finely chopped dill pickles (maybe a little extra juice if you’re a pickle lover!), Dijon mustard, chopped avocado pieces, and even some bacon bits to give it that extra oomph.
Next, it's all about the dressing. Ditch that boring mayo. My all-time favorite is to mix plain Greek Yogurt with sriracha sauce and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to get a tangy and spicy taste. But if spicy isn’t your thing today, try Greek yogurt with balsamic vinegar (I am a big fan of the fig)! Your taste buds will thank you for it.
Now, let's not forget about the chicken itself. Mix it up with some grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken, or if you’re feeling extra adventurous, even some spicy buffalo chicken tenders. The possibilities are endless, my friends.
If you plan to prep a large amount of this to have all week, add your final touches when you’re going to eat it instead of when you prep it. For example, walnuts are an amazing addition to any chicken salad. They’re so good for your heart and they add an awesome crunch. But, if you put them in with the prep, by day 3 they definitely won’t be crunchy anymore. So save those for right before you chow down.
Go forth and prosper in the chicken salad world, one flavorful bite at a time. And remember, with a little bit of creativity anything is possible - even a chicken salad that will knock your socks off.
