Chicken Salad but budget?

[lovetheprincesses]

anyone want to share their best chicken salad recipe??

 

[BCV2003]

I'd love to hear some too. I've been hungry for basic chicken salad!

 

[CJ's Mommy]

Everyone I've made this for says it is the BEST chicken salad ever!! It's sooo easy too!

I use breaded chicken cutlets chopped up, mayo, salt, and pepper. Mix it up and you are done. I usually make a few extra cutlets when I'm making that for dinner, and then use the leftovers to make the chicken salad the next day. So yummy!

It's a different take on the typical grilled chicken breasts used for chicken cutlets, but let me tell ya...it is sooo good! The breading totally makes the taste awesome!

 

[tonilea]

I usually buy split chicken breasts on sale (this week was .79 per pound) and I debone them. Since I am not great at deboning, I put a large pot of water on to boil and put the bones, tenders and usually an extra breast or two in and cook them down. Pull the meat off the bones and use it for chicken salad.

Chicken Salad

cooked chicken
finely chopped celery
boiled eggs
a bit of minced onion
mayo
Cavender's Greek Seasoning Mix - found with the seasoned salts
Garlic Salt

Sorry there are no measurements, but I just "eyeball" it. Add less of everything than you think you will need, you call always add more.

 

[branv]

The Houston Chronicle recently published these multiple chicken salad recipes, which I'm dying to try. I wouldn't call most of these "budget" (though that's a relative term), but the first one listed is your basic, lower cost chicken salad recipe with a little more for flair . I thought I'd include the rest in case anyone else wants to spice it up (and really only the second and last one might be strictly non-budget). Hope you find something you like!



CLASSIC CHICKEN SALAD
Chronicle-tested recipe
This salad can have numerous variations. Try adding a medium-size apple, cored and diced, and 1/2 cup toasted walnuts. Or 1 cup grapes, halved, and 1/2 cup toasted, candied pecans. You can substitute 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon, basil, thyme or mint for the green onion.
•Chicken:
•2 bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts
•1 1/2 tablespoons McCormick Montreal Chicken Seasoning or other poultry seasoning
•Salad:
•1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
•1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
•1 teaspoon kosher salt
•1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black or white pepper
•1 celery rib, finely chopped
•1 green onion, green part only, thinly sliced
In a bowl, combine chicken and poultry seasoning. Refrigerate overnight.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Arrange chicken on a baking pan, place on center rack and cook until done, about 40 to 45 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside to cool.
Make dressing by combining mayonnaise, mustard, salt, pepper, celery and green onion in a large bowl.
When chicken is cool to the touch, remove and discard skin and bones. Pull chicken into chunks, then cut into bite-size pieces. Add chicken to mayonnaise dressing and toss until well-mixed. Adjust salt and pepper as needed.
Cover and refrigerate, allowing flavors to blend for several hours before serving.
Makes 4 servings.
________________________________________
LEMON-ARTICHOKE ROAST-CHICKEN SALAD
Chronicle-tested recipe
•1/2 cup mayonnaise
•3 tablespoons plain yogurt
•Zest and juice from 2 lemons (separated)
•1/4 cup shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
•1/2 teaspoon salt
•1 teaspoon freshly ground green peppercorns
•1 1/2 cups frozen artichoke quarters, thawed
•3 tablespoons chopped green onions
•1 roasted chicken (homemade or store-bought)
To make dressing, blend mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, cheese, salt and pepper in a food processor. Add artichokes and pulse until roughly chopped. Add lemon zest and green onions and pulse 1 last time.
Remove breasts from bones, reserving wings and leg quarters to make soup or for another use. Remove skin and pull breasts into chunks, then cut into bite-size pieces. Transfer to a bowl and combine with dressing.
Makes 4 servings.
________________________________________
CHICKEN SALAD WITH ROASTED TOMATOES AND BASIL
Chronicle-tested recipe
•1 (12-ounce) package cherry tomatoes
•1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
•5 garlic cloves, peeled
•1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
•2 sprigs thyme
•Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
•2 skinless chicken breasts, roasted and diced
•1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
•1 tablespoon lemon juice
•1/4 cup celery, chopped fine
•1/2 tablespoon finely chopped green onion
•3 tablespoons basil leaves, chopped
•4 slices multigrain bread, small pita bread or crackers
•1/2 red onion, sliced thin
To roast tomatoes, heat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, toss tomatoes with oil, garlic, sugar and thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake until skins loosen, about 20 minutes. Pour out accumulated liquid and reduce oven temperature to 275 degrees. Continue to bake for 2 hours. Discard garlic and set tomatoes aside to cool. Tomatoes may be left whole or chopped.
In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, lemon juice, celery and green onion. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Gently fold in chicken and basil. Divide among slices of bread or crackers. Arrange roasted tomatoes and red-onion slices on top of each.
Makes 4 servings.
________________________________________
CALYPSO CHICKEN SALAD
From Dessert Gallery
•2 1/3 cups low-fat mayonnaise
•2 tablespoons curry powder
•1/4 teaspoon white pepper
•Kosher salt
•1/2 cup chopped green onions
•3/4 cup golden raisins
•9 3/4 cups diced cooked skinless chicken breast
•1/2 cup medium pecan pieces, toasted
In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, curry, pepper and salt to taste. Gently fold in onions, raisins, chicken and pecans.
Makes 8 servings.
________________________________________
CHICKEN SALAD WITH CHILE-LIME JICAMA
Chronicle-tested recipe
•Chicken:
•2 cups jicama, finely chopped
•1 teaspoon ancho, cascabel or other mild chile powder
•Juice of 1 lime
•Kosher salt
•1/2 cup mayonnaise
•2 tablespoons sour cream
•1 1/2 tablespoons chopped green onion or red onion
•2 skinless chicken breasts, cooked and diced
•Salad:
•3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
•5 tablespoons grape-seed oil
•Dash freshly ground white pepper
•1 small head butter lettuce, washed and dried
•1/2 a green or half-ripe mango, peeled, cored and julienned
•2 tablespoon toasted pumpkinseeds
In a bowl, combine jicama, chile powder, lime juice and 1/2 teaspoon salt. In another bowl, mix mayonnaise, sour cream, onion and chicken. Gently fold in jicama mixture. Set salad aside and refrigerate until ready to use.
In another bowl, combine vinegar, grape-seed oil and pepper. Drizzle onto lettuce and gently toss, just to coat. Sprinkle with salt and divide salad among 4 chilled plates, along with a generous scoop of chicken salad. Garnish with mango and pumpkinseeds.

 

[Tink113]

I usually buy a Costco roasted chicken and pick it clean. Then a mince celery ( 2-3 stocks), add mayo, salt and pepper and done! It's great just the way it is.

 

[eduk8r26]

I buy the canned chicken from Costco or Sam's, drain it, add chopped celery, a little mayo, some pepper, and I think I've added Craisins on occasion. It makes really good sandwiches.

 

[2manypets]

I usually buy a Costco roasted chicken and pick it clean. Then a mince celery ( 2-3 stocks), add mayo, salt and pepper and done! It's great just the way it is.

This is how I make mine also. Sometimes, to change it up a bit, I add halved purple grapes.

 

[lovetheprincesses]

YUM! Can't wait to try out your ideas! I just thought that would be good, since we are dying from the heat!!

 

[Blue_Pearl]

You can also boil a whole chicken with a piece of onion, etc for flavor. Let it cool either in the broth overnite in fridge or drain and pick if you are in a hurry.
Thats if you want REAL budget chicken salad! Remove skin before boiling if yo want lo fat.

Chop the meat and add mayo and chopped onion, celery etc to taste.

Can also do it with some sesame oil and soy sauce to make it into a chinese chicken salad!

Denece

 

[Muushka]

I caught a sale of chicken cutlets for .99 a pound .

I had heard chicken cooked in a crock pot comes out pretty good. Well, I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. I cooked it for several hours (5 or so) on low. When I took them out I could shred it with my hands (I don't like chunky). Worked great for several breasts.

After cooking, above recipes look great!

 

[GabbyMom]

kinda not the point but i love the chicken salad from The Corner Bakery

 

[famofsix]

sometimes I buy a grocery store rotisserie chicken on sale and then make chicken salad out of the leftovers.

 

[tiggrsbride]

I make a chicken salad that is a hit...I don't measure when I cook! I have made small and large batches

I poach chicken breasts in a combination of white wine and chicken broth with peppercorns. Let sit and cool in poaching liquid.

Chop or shred chicken

Add:
Pecans
Seedless Grapes, cut in half
Celery
small amount of Onion
Mix equal amounts of Sour Cream and Mayo with salt and pepper
chopped fresh Dill

Mix well and chill. Best if made a day earlier!

 

[princesspwrhr]

Chicken - drained canned or leftover
mayo
mustard
ground black pepper
Seasonal
diced green peppers
diced cucumbers
dill pickle relish -drained

I don't measure...

 

[4Seasons]

Wow these all sound so good!!

You're making me hungry......

 

[shortbun]

chicken, mayo, celery, onions, pecans, grapes, curry and cinammon in a tomato or avacado half.

blend the mayo, curry and cinnamon before stirring other ingredients in.

 

[crazelion]

Simple Chicken Salad

Cooked shred chicken
dilled pill relish
dash mustard
salt and pepper to taste

This best chicken salad recipe that I have tried and love. I got it from work.

 

[elliemae1192]

I boil chicken breasts and shred them.

Then mix in mayo, splash of lemon juice, cut grapes, diced apples (no skin), pecans and pepper. We like to wrap it in flour tortillas.

I teach at a preschool/Mom's day out and my fellow teachers are ALWAYS asking me to bring it in.

 

[aprilvaca04]

I boil chicken breasts and shred them.

Then mix in mayo, splash of lemon juice, cut grapes, diced apples (no skin), pecans and pepper. We like to wrap it in flour tortillas.

I teach at a preschool/Mom's day out and my fellow teachers are ALWAYS asking me to bring it in.

elliemae1192-Totally off topic but your quote from Boston Rob made me laugh which is a great way to start your day! Love, love, love Boston Rob! Thanks