Shredded Chicken Salad

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔️ This is a delicious way to repurpose leftover rotisserie chicken.
✔️ It’s a refreshing spin on plain chicken salad with celery and onion.
✔️ You can make this shredded chicken salad in less than 10 minutes.

Ingredients For Shredded Chicken Salad

Ingredient Notes

• Cooked Chicken: Ideal for salads, cooked chicken should be moist and tender. Rotisserie chicken is convenient, offering a rich flavor that complements the other ingredients.
• Garlic Powder: A convenient alternative to fresh garlic, it provides a milder, less pungent flavor than fresh garlic.
• Green Onions: Also known as scallions, these are mild-flavored onions that add a fresh, slightly sharp taste and a bit of crunch.
• Lemon Juice: Adds a bright note to the salad and helps balance the richness of the mayo and sour cream.
• Mayonnaise: Binds the ingredients together and adds smoothness to the salad’s texture.
• Raw Slivered Almonds: Almonds that have been thinly sliced into stick-like shapes. They add a nutty flavor and crunchy texture to the salad. Toasting them before adding to the salad enhances their flavor.
• Red Grapes: These add a burst of sweetness and a juicy texture. They contrast nicely with the savory elements of the salad and add a pop of color.
• Sour Cream: Adds richness and balances the flavors in the salad.

It’s important to note that when making substitutions in recipes, the texture and flavor may be slightly different. However, these substitutes are the best options to change the original recipe.

Ingredient Substitutions

• Cooked Chicken: use any cooked or boiled chicken for chicken salad. You can also use canned chicken or turkey as an alternative. For a vegetarian option, try using canned rinsed chickpeas.
• Garlic Powder: Onion powder or a small amount of finely minced fresh garlic can be an alternative.
• Green Onions: Chives or finely chopped red onion can be used for a similar mild onion flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Lime juice or a small amount of white vinegar can substitute for a similar acidic quality.
• Mayonnaise: Avocado or hummus provides creaminess with a different flavor profile.
• Pepper: Crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper can be used for a different heat.
• Raw Slivered Almonds: Substitute with chopped walnuts or pecans for a different nutty flavor and texture.
• Red Grapes: Diced apples, dried cranberries, or halved cherry tomatoes can be used as a sweet and juicy alternative.
• Sour Cream: Greek yogurt is a great substitute, offering a similar tang and creaminess.

Recipe Variations

• Asian–Inspired: Add a dash of soya sauce and sesame oil, and mix in chopped cilantro and sliced green onions.
• Apple and Walnuts: Substitute red grapes with diced apples and slivered almonds with chopped walnuts.
• Apple Cider Vinegar and Dill: Use apple cider vinegar instead of lemon juice and add fresh dill for a unique tangy and herby taste.
• Blue Cheese and Bacon: Mix in crumbled blue cheese and crispy bacon bits for a savory, rich flavor.
• Chipotle and Corn: Incorporate chipotle peppers and sweet corn for a smoky, slightly spicy salad.
• Cranberry and Pecans: Swap grapes with dried cranberries and almonds with pecans.
• Curry and Raisins: Stir in a teaspoon of curry powder and a handful of raisins.
• Feta and Cucumber: Mix in diced cucumbers and crumbled feta cheese for a refreshing and tangy variation.
• Lime and Avocado: Use lime juice instead of lemon juice and substitute mayonnaise with mashed avocado.
• Mango and Cashews: Add diced mango for sweetness and cashews for a crunchy, buttery texture.
• Pesto and Pine Nuts: Stir in homemade basil pesto and sprinkle with pine nuts.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Olives: Use chopped sun-dried tomatoes and sliced olives for a Mediterranean-inspired variation.

How To Make Shredded Chicken Salad

STEP 1: Toast the almonds in a small skillet until golden. Set aside to cool.

STEP 2: Shred the chicken in a mixing bowl using an electric mixer.

STEP 3: Stir in the sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

STEP 4: Add the grapes, green onions, and toasted almonds. Stir together, then cover and chill in the fridge for at least one hour.

Expert Tips

1. Chicken that’s still warm shreds easier than chicken cold from the fridge.
2. Taste the seasoning as you go and adjust accordingly to suit your liking.
3. Shredded chicken salad tastes better on the second day.

Recipe Notes

• Buy pre-toasted almonds if you want to save time.
• If using cold chicken, bring it to room temperature for 30 minutes before shredding.
• Use full-fat sour cream, whole egg mayonnaise, and freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.
• Experiment with different herbs like fresh dill, parsley, or chives.

Storage

• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Recipe FAQ

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