Description
Chicken Salad — a creamy, crunchy cold dish perfect for quick lunches, meal prep, and potlucks. Makes 4 servings in 15 minutes with 8 simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1/2 cup grapes, halved
- 1/4 cup almonds, slivered
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lettuce leaves for serving
Instructions
- Gather all your ingredients. Dice the celery and halve the grapes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, mayonnaise, and yogurt, stirring well.
- Gently fold in the diced celery and grapes, followed by the slivered almonds.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately on a bed of lettuce leaves or store in an airtight container for later use.
Notes
- Fridge (Assembled): Transfer the fully dressed mixture to an airtight glass container and press a layer of plastic wrap directly onto the surface before sealing the lid. This limits air exposure and slows oxidation. Properly stored, the assembled dish stays fresh for up to 3 days at 37–40 °F. After day two, the almonds soften noticeably, so consider adding them fresh at serving time.
- Freezer (Chicken Only): Freeze plain shredded chicken in labeled, date-stamped freezer bags for up to 1 month. Press bags flat so they stack neatly and thaw evenly. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for 8 hours. Do not freeze the finished dressed mixture—mayonnaise and yogurt separate upon thawing, producing an unappetizing, watery result.
- Oven Reheat (Not Recommended): Because this is a cold preparation, oven reheating is generally unnecessary. However, if repurposing leftovers into a warm melt, spread the mixture onto halved rolls, top with cheese, and bake at 375 °F for 8 minutes until the cheese bubbles. The dressing will thin slightly from the heat, so use a slotted spoon when scooping.
- Microwave Reheat (Emergency Only): If you prefer a warm version, microwave a single serving on 50 percent power for 45 seconds, stir, then check temperature. The mayo-yogurt dressing can split at high heat, so never exceed 60 percent power. For best results, fold the warmed chicken into fresh dressing afterward to restore creaminess.
- Air Fryer Reheat (Repurpose Method): Stuff the mixture into mini puff-pastry shells or wonton wrappers and air-fry at 370 °F for 5 minutes until the exterior is golden and crispy. This transforms cold leftovers into warm, crunchy appetizer bites. Let them cool for 2 minutes before serving—the filling will be very hot inside the shell.
- Prep Time: 15
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 generous
- Calories: 298 calories
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 345mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 68mg