During the summer months, none of us are much into spending hours behind the stove preparing dinner. We want easy, light menus that are satisfying and quick to fix. Here we've got four easy chicken salad recipes that fill the bill. Each is different enough to keep your family's palate boredom at bay, with a diversity of tastes and seasonings that keep them asking for more.
These easy chicken salad recipes are also easy on the budget,This is a healthy chicken recipe, a major consideration for most of us today. Chicken breast meat is low in fat and easily and quickly prepared. In fact, should you find a sale on chicken breasts, stock up! Cook the whole lot in batches and freeze in meal sized portions for even greater efficiency of meal preparation. Watch for sales on 'natural' chicken for a big bonus in taste and nutrition.
Now let's see what can be done with a chicken breast, easily transformed into a delightful and easy chicken salad recipe.
Broil, grill or bake your chicken breasts until done. Allow to cool and then cut into julienned slices. If you're working with a large batch, separate in to three or four bowls. Season each bowl with a separate flavoring. For example, one might be seasoned with a lemon pepper sauce, another with a good dose of fresh cilantro or parsley and one with a teriyaki marinade. Leave another plain.
If you want to freeze some of the chicken for future use, put each portion in a freezer bag with enough chicken broth to cover. This technique retains the fresh texture and flavor of the meat until you're ready to serve.
Number one on our list of easy chicken salad recipes is the chef's salad. This salad is ready in minutes. Lay a generous amount of greens, including crisp, dark green lettuces and some mesclun on your serving plate. Mound the julienned chicken breasts in the center, plain or seasoned. Surround the chicken with a variety of veggies, such as black or Nicoise olives, green onions, finely sliced, tomato wedges, sliced fresh mushrooms, diced sweet onions and hard boiled egg slices. Put some crunch in your salad with crisp sweet bell peppers, water chestnuts, bean sprouts, celery or crispy chow mein noodles. This chef's salad is a concoction of your desired tastes and textures. Add a handful of croutons and grated cheese of your choice. Bellisimo!
The fruit-based version of our easy chicken salad recipes? Try a combination of fresh diced pineapple, mangoes and melons for a light and refreshing chicken salad. A simple bed of greens, combined with these tropical fruits and a centerpiece of your chicken breast slices can be dressed with a sprinkling of shredded coconut and a bottled honey sesame seed salad dressing for a sensational summer salad.
For yet another variation on the easy chicken recipe, dice your chicken in a medium sized bowl. Add sliced celery, including the greens, along with finely diced Spanish onion. Add mayonnaise, or a mixture of mayonnaise and sour cream to the consistency of your choice. Grate some lettuce and layer into a pita pocket. Add the chicken mixture and top it off with a mild salsa.
Last, but not least, in our lineup of easy chicken recipes is the pasta salad. Cook a batch of cheese and spinach tortellini. Drain and refrigerate until cold. Add a quantity of diced, cooked chicken breast, diced onions and sliced black olives. Season with fresh, chopped Italian parsley. Fold in just enough mayonnaise to make a consistency that suits your taste. Serve on a plate of greens and enjoy!
We hope to have inspired you on the many ways you can prepare an easy chicken salad recipe in minutes, delicious, nutritious and memorable additions to your menus! You will love this chicken recipe.
