R: Chicken Salad

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

I'm looking for a chicken salad recipe.

I'm going to cook chicken breasts and chop them in a food processor, rather than buy canned chicken. I don't know what to add other than Miracle Whip. I want to avoid fruit and I don't want to use only celery and onion for seasoning. Bacon would be a nice flavor, but what else could I add?

My thought was to make Pampered Chef-like mini-sandwiches or roll-ups, using refrigerated crescent rolls.

I've searched allrecipes.com and foodtv.com and didn't find what I was looking for- something simple, inexpensive and tasty. (of course they had those )

 

[sassafrass]

some people put almond slivers in theirs and I have also had it with dill in it. I like mine with small pieces of apple in it. on sourdough bread! cracker barrell has a good tasting chicken sandwich. I am trying to think of what they have in thiers.

 

[piratesmate]

That's a hard one. I used to make mine with just Miracle Whip, celery salt (or powder), dry mustard and relish - or sweet pickle chunks.

The next version I made had slivered almonds, pineapple tidbits or green grapes. (Doesn't really help with avoiding fruit, though.)

The version I make now I got here on the board. (I forget whose it is. ) This is my all time favorite recipe! I don't know if the orange juice is too close to the fruit for you, but what a flavor it adds! I've tossed orange zest in it and substituted a combination for the cajun. (garlic powder, celery powder, coriander, dry mustard . . . whatever happens to be in the cupboard.) Oh - and I NEVER use white wine vinegar - just because I don't have it. I use the red.

d

Chicken Salad

1-1/4 cups mayonnaise (low fat is fine)
2 TBSP orange juice
1 TBSP white wine vinegar
Cajon seasoning to taste (substitute chili powder for milder flavor)
Chopped cooked chicken

Stir together first 4 ingredients. Stir in chicken. I think it probably takes about 2-3 cups of chicken, but I never measure it.

You can use this as a filling for sandwiches or as a topping for salad.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Actually piratesmate, you're on the right track. I don't think I mind fruit juice so much, it's the chunks of fruit that bother me. Maybe I need to think of those pieces being smaller.

 

[chell]

piratesmate - That sounds really good I need to try it.

Have you tried Recipe Goldmine ? This link will take you directly to the Meat & Seafood Salad page. I didn't read all of them to see if any are exactly what you are looking for though. Hopefully you will find something here. Check out their classy clones section for great knockoffs!

 

[Nikole]

You know I always avoided fruit in chicken salad. HATED it..... WELLL then I tried it with apple chunks (has to be granny smith apples) OR..... my mom made it for me with dried cranberries..... again thought ewwwww

LOVE IT either way now!!! Might be worth testing sometime or someone else here might like it! Just wanted to share.

Hope you find a good recipe!

 

[piratesmate]

Granny Smith apples or craisins?!?!?! I never would have thought of it, but that suonds delicious! I think I'm changing my lunch menu! I must have some shredded chicken in the freezer.

And I think that Nicole is right - the pieces shouldn't be too big. Pineapple chunks wouldn't be good. It's the tiny bits of occasional flavor that I like in the salad.

I've done the OJ recipe with shredded turkey also. I wasn't sure I'd like it, because the turkey is so strong-flavored, but I think that's actually why it was good. I did use more OJ in it that I do in the chicken salad.

 

[MerryPoppins]

My daughter's Godmother makes chicken salad with grape halves in it. I HATE fruit with meat, but this is really very good! I like it.

 

[Nikole]

Yep cut the apples into small chunks....... just a hint of crunch and tartness. To die for! LOL

 

[luvdamouse]

A good friend makes one with red potatoes, mayo, sour cream, bacon, green onion (scallions), and prepared horseradish.

It makes a wonderful creamy and tangy combination!
Jo

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

lovedamouse,

that sounds tasty! It mght me exactly what I'm looking for. I would skip the horseradish thought.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone!

 

[Baboo]

My family's favorite is an oriental version that I made up a few years ago. To the mayo, I add soy sauce, crushed garlic and chopped fresh ginger. To the chicken I add choped raw snow peas, celery and mandarine orange sections. I serve it in pitas lined with lettuce.

 

[piratesmate]

Oooooo, Baboo! That sounds wonderful!!!

You know, I don't think I have enough chicken in the house to try all of these! (I never thought I'd say that - I used to detest chicken before I found this board!)

Thanks for another great idea!

 

[Spinning]

I love it with a little grapes, apples and walnuts! yum on a nice hard roll.

 

[maleficent1959]

I mix curry into the mayo, then add the chicken, golden raisins, sliced green onions, occasionally apple, then put it on good bread with lettuce and tomato.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Thanks again everyone. I made my chicken salad today and I think it turned out great. I think I may have failed to mention that this was a chicken salad for sandwiches. Here's how I made my chicken salad:

1.5 lbs. boneless chicken breast- cubed and cooked in 1-2tbsp. veg. oil until no longer pink
(I set the chicken aside to cool while I cooked the potatoes)
2 #1 size red potatoes, diced, fried in juices left from the chicken, sprinkled with Pampered
Chef Southwest seasoning (onion, garlic ,spice, salt blend). Cook just until tender.

Pulse to desired consistancy. I took half the chicken and half the potatoes and chopped in two smaller batches. (I split it half so not to overprocess and make the salad mushy)

Stir 3 tbsp. Helmann's Dijonaisse and 1 cup Miracle Whip Light to chicken mixture.

I used an ice cream scoop to portion out to refrigerated crescent rolls and baked according to package direction. I will be serving them chilled.