Can someone help me with a chicken salad recipe & a lazy, I mean easy way to make it?

[RaySharpton]

This past weekend, some of the nurses brought some chicken salad to work and shared it with me. It was very good. The chicken salad was spooned into a lettuce leave and rolled up to eat like a sandwich.

I noticed that it was very a thick mixture with no chunks. I think that would be better than chunky so that it won't fall out of the lettuce while I was eating it.

I could also store it in tupperware in the refridgerator as a snack for emergencies.

I am on my 17th week of Atkin's Diet, and I need to snack on something other than meat, olives, pork fried rinds, macedamian nuts, and most importantly those low carb, sugar free Russel Stover Pecan Delights...lol.

They said that they used that package chicken like the tuna stuff that comes in the sealed aluminum-type bags.

I think they said that they mixed the chicken with about 3/4 mayonaise and 1/4 sour cream, some sliced, no; chopped almonds and some herbs like dill, and I can't remember the other herbs.

They also said that they mixed the chopped almonds and chopped herbs in only when they were ready to serve.

I went to the store today and bought a bunch of skinless chicken tenders, sour cream, lettuce, sliced almonds and a combination package that had some sage, thyme, and rosemary. They ran out of dill, and this package said these herbs were good with poultry.

So...I was going to wrap the chicken tenders in aluminum foil and bake it in the oven for about an hour or longer at about 400 degrees to make sure that it is cooked all the way. I know that I could probably fry them, but less mess with aluminum foil...lol.

Then I was going to cut the chicken into small pieces and use this chopper thing that I have and never used...lol.

And guess the amount of mayonaise and sour cream mixture and mix it all together.

Then I was going to chop the almonds. I should have bought chopped almonds. And then cut off and chop those herbs and mix them with a lump of that chichen salad, add some salt and pepper and roll it in a lettuce leave.

I could store the rest of the chicken mixture in some rubbermaid container and the almonds and herbs in a plastic bag until I want to mix them up again for another sandwich. Lori and Tammy said that the almonds won't get soft and the herbs will stay fresh and taste better if I mix them with the chicken when I get ready to eat.

What do yo think?

1. What would be an easy way to cook the chicken tenders?

2. If I bake them in the oven in aluminum foil, should I put other ingredients in the aluminum foil?

3. What temperature and how long should I cook them?

4. What is the best way to chop the chicken up into small pieces or mush?

5. What other ingredients should I use?

Any help from experienced cooks would be very appreciated.

Thank you in advance, RaySharpton

 

[Spinning]

When I cook my chicken for salad I par boil it. I put about 2 inches of water in a pan or enough to cover half of the boneless chicken. I put a lid on it and then cook and turn till juices run clear
Then for the salad part I use mayo, celery seed, dash of sugar, salt, pepper and maybe a tiny bit of vinegar. All to taste. But not much at all. I usually add either nuts and grapes or apples.

 

[RaySharpton]

Thank you, Spinning. I would have never thought of boiling the chicken.

 

[Spinning]

I also add onions but not too many!

 

[piratesmate]

I use a crockpot to cook my chicken. I throw boneless chicken into the crock (usually a family pack, 3 - 4 lbs) and cook it on LOW all day or night. (I add water if I want broth to use for other recipes - otherwise not necessary.) Then I cool the chicken & shred it - like pulled pork if you know what I mean. Then I pack it up in serving-sized or meal-sized freezer bags.

To shred - I either just pick up the pieces & pull it in the direction of the "fibers" - or take 2 forks & keep pulling in opposite directions until I get the same effect.

I think this makes the best chicken for chicken salad and as you said, doesn't fall out - unless you add too much dressing. I like a dressing with mayo, wine vinegar, orange juice, orange zest, garlic powder & celery powder (unsalted celery salt.) Oh - I use about 1 Tbl vinegar & OJ, about 1 tsp of the spices & enough mayo so that it's thick not soupy.

I forget - do you get fruit on Atkins? If so, seedless grapes or pineapple chunks are also good in it with the almonds.

I'm not personally crazy about sage or thyme, so I use them sparingly. I do like dill & might have to try that next time. Another dressing I found on this board uses 1/4c mayo, 1 Tbl fresh lime juice, 1/2 tsp ginger & 2 tsp sugar (I use a sugar substitute.)

 

[Megan's Mom]

This is how I make my chicken salad and everyone always wants me to make it for parties and stuff. I boil my chicken in water and I always use the boneless chicken. Then I chop it up. I don't like any fat or that other gross looking stuff so it is always white meat. I add pickle relish. Now all this depends on how much you want to make. Small amount of chicken just a small spoonfull of relish. I put equal parts of mayo and sour cream enough so that it is smooth. a squirt of mustard. I chop pecans and grapes and add that. I add salt a lot of pepper and paprika. I also cook the chicken with pepper and parsley. If you have any questions you may PM me.

If you have a Publix's close to you go to their bakery and get a loaf of rainbow bread it is great with the chicken salad.

 

[mcnuss]

If you have a Publix's close to you go to their bakery and get a loaf of rainbow bread it is great with the chicken salad.

Not so good if you are doing Atkins!

Ok, I do 2 things to make Atkins friendly chicken salad.

1. I do use the canned chicken, but only Swansons and only the all white meat or

2. I buy the roasted chickens in the supermarket.

If I use the canned chicken, I make the chicken salad a lot like tuna, about 1/2 cup mayo, handful chopped celery, handful of chopped walnuts (better than almonds for Atkins), smidge of mustard (dijon is best), mush it all up with fork, and go.

If I use the "real" chicken, I shred the breast meat, and do all the same steps. Or I'll shred the meat, add it some salad greens, nuts, and if I am splurging, at the last minute I will add a teaspoon or so of mandarin oranges. Toss together a sesame vinaigrette and it's yummy!

 

[mcnuss]

am on my 17th week of Atkin's Diet, and I need to snack on something other than meat, olives, pork fried rinds, macedamian nuts, and most importantly those low carb, sugar free Russel Stover Pecan Delights...lol.

I've done Atkins with my husband and had some trouble bc I cannot tolerate high fat foods like bacon, pork rinds, etc.. so I learned to be very creative.

Low carb, hi-fiber Wasa crisps or Ak-Mak crackers, or celery sticks, topped with a spread of cream cheese mixed with chopped smoked salmon. Yum!

Walnuts mixed with 1 tsp. bittersweet chocolate chips. Just enough sweetness to satisfy.

Sour cream topped blueberries (or other fruit low on the glycemic index). I use a little splenda to sweeten it up.

Try tuna packed in oil italian style, it has more flavor than regular so more satisfying.

My husband makes cheesy pepperoni (ugh!) but he loves it. Just melt mexican blend cheese on top of pepperoni slices in the oven (on foil!).

 

[Rebecca12345]

Here is a LaZy way to make a cold chicken salad:
use bottled Hidden Valley Ranch dressing in place of the mayo . . . . .stir into cooked, chilled, cubed chicken
then add sliced almonds, sliced celery, and seedless red grapes, or chilled mandarin orange slices, or Cranberry Craisins. ummm

Serve on lettuce leaf (& inside a croissant if you aren't watching your calories)

Can anyone top this for EASY & Lazy???

 

[RaySharpton]

Thank you...thank you...thank you everyone for all of the wonderful recipe ideas. All of them are very adaptable for my Atkin's Diet and for my Weight Watcher friends.

 

[piratesmate]

Originally posted by mcnuss
. . . . My husband makes cheesy pepperoni (ugh!) but he loves it. Just melt mexican blend cheese on top of pepperoni slices in the oven (on foil!).

Oooo, I haven't thought about that in years! (I have to limit my fat intake. ) When we were kids my mother used to make "fried bologna". She'd take 2 slices of Lebanon bologna put American cheese in the middle & cook it in a pan - flipping halfway through. We'd just eat it "out of hand." Yum!

 

[jipsy]

Can anyone top this for EASY & Lazy???

Yes. Buy some already made at the deli.

LOL

 

[Baboo]

I do an Oriental version of chicken salad. I mix the mayo with some soy sauce, chopped garlic and fresh ginger (both the garlic and ginger are available in jars already chopped to make life easier.) I add slivers of snow peas, and mandarin oranges and sometimes pecans. My family loves this.

 

[Rebecca12345]

Yes. Buy some already made at the deli.

hahahaha jipsy that's a good one

actually the easiest way is to go out for dinner . . . .

 

[jipsy]

OOO Rebecca I like the way you think.

LOL

 

[Rebecca12345]

jipsy:
Is this a picture of your kitty?
If so, we need to get our two cats together.
Our kitty has been leaving 'presents' on our front doorstep all summer long.
Here is the total as of this morning since June:
moles: 14
birds: 4
mice: 13
wonder what he'd do if he had a weapon

ha ha

 

[jipsy]

LOL no not my kitty. I used to have a cat that left me presents - birds, snake heads, half eaten frogs, ...

 

[marlasmom]

I boil bonless white chicken - mix with Major Gray's chutney and mayo, add grapes and maybe almonds. People love it.

 

[arminnie]

I never thought that I would use chicken out of a can - BUT - I was very busy and having people over for lunch and did not have time to cook.

I bought canned chicken at Sam's club - Member's Mark (their private brand). Each can contained 13 oz. of pure white meat chicken. It was excellent. (5 cans for approx. $9)

It could not have been better. I mixed it with mayo, sliced almonds, and green grapes. I had people almost fighting over the leftovers, and they are begging me to make it again. I've made this for years, but it was a pain to cook the chicken. I don't think that I will ever use anything else but this canned chicken again.

 

[Rebecca12345]

arminnie I use canned white meat chicken also! such a fast way to prepare a meal - also nice when it's just too hot to be in the kitchen....