Crunchy Chicken Salad

 

Having leftover roasted chicken went into making this flavourful crunchy chicken salad. Reminiscent of a Waldorf Salad minus the grapes. I have made a version of this when leftover turkey is abundant during certain holidays as well. This wrap and or sandwich filler is lightly creamy but fresh and crunchy thanks to the apples, walnuts and celery. Feel free to substitute what ever fruit, fresh or dried, or nuts you wish. A basic recipe where a tasty harvest of possibilities seems endless for such a classic.  

Crunchy Chicken Salad 

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about 2 cups leftover cooked/roasted chicken, chopped or 2 - 3 cooked chicken breasts, chopped

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup Greek Yoghurt 

1 tablespoon grainy dijon mustard

1 - 2 teaspoon fresh or dried dill, according to taste

2 celery stalks, chopped

3 green onions, sliced

1 apple, unpeeled, cored and chopped

1/2 cup chopped walnuts, optional

salt and pepper to taste

Combine all the ingredients into a medium large bowl and mix well. Season with salt and pepper or more herbs according to taste. 

Serve over top spinach or mixed leafy greens, in a wrap, in a sandwich or tucked into a bun.

Notes: if the chicken salad appears a bit dry add either a little more mayonnaise or yoghurt or a 2 tablespoons of chicken or vegetable stock. Red onion may be used instead of the green onion.   

Leftovers #67 ~ Coronation Chicken

 

Leftover roasted chicken whether you prepare it yourself or bought it already roasted from the store can easily be turned into coronation chicken or chicken salad. Served cold over buttery toast, rolled into a wrap, stuffed into a bun or dolloped on some dark leafy greens. It's a refreshing and tasty meal to savour in the hot summer heat. 

Just chop up the leftover chicken and dice 2 celery stalks and place in a bowl. Chop 8 dried apricots into bite sized pieces and add it to the chicken and celery, then add 3 tablespoons of golden raisins and stir together. Add 3 tablespoons mayonnaise and about 3 tablespoons sour cream. Add 2 tablespoons curry powder, 1 to 2 tablespoon chutney, 2 tablespoons apricot jam and salt and pepper. Mix everything together. If you find the Coronation Chicken a bit dry add more mayo or sour cream until your preferred consistency is reached. Of course the amounts I've stated above may be adjusted according to how much leftover chicken you have.

To make a chicken salad just omit the curry powder, chutney and jam and instead add a bit of paprika, a bit of mustard, diced apples, chopped walnuts and some mixed herbs and seasonings.