1. Can substitute light mayonnaise or yogurt to reduce fat and calories
2. Make ahead of time to let flavors blend
3. Add fruit or vegetables as desired

</note>

• by Susan MacDowell

• Chicken salad is a combination of chicken and dressing, plus vegetables, fruits or nuts, that can be served on a bed of greens or used as a sandwich filling.Slashfood: Food Porn: Chicken Salad Sandwich can be a nice change of pace for a casual dinner.

• 2 whole chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper
• 1/4 cup onions or scallions, chopped
• 1/2 cup celery, chopped
• Lettuce
• </td>
• <td align="left" valign="top" width="349px">

• Chef's knife
• Stock pot
• Cutting board
• Mixing bowl
• Mixing spoon
• </td>
• </tr>
• </table>

• The main ingredient in chicken salad is chopped chicken. Consequently, the key to success with chicken salad is ensuring that the chicken you start with is well seasoned and moist.Tom's River Times: Secrets Of Great Chicken Salad (May 7, 2008) Although chicken salad is a great use for leftover chicken, poaching chicken specifically for the salad ensures moist chicken.YumSugar: Monday's Leftovers: Chicken Salad with Cumin Carrot Raita Girl Interrupted Eating: Poaching a Chicken You can also tailor the seasonings in the broth you use to poach the chicken to match the flavors you'll be using in the chicken salad itself.Herald Review: Poaching Chicken Brings Out the Flavor (May 15, 2008)

1. Poach the chicken.
2. Chop chicken into bite-sized pieces.

• Feel free to experiment with the dressing, adding fruits, vegetables and seasonings as desired. Start with this basic recipe, then look at the variations below for inspiration!

1. Combine the mayonnaise with the lemon juice in a bowl big enough to hold the completed salad.
2. Add salt and pepper to taste.
3. Add any additional seasonings you're using to "dress up" the salad.
4. Combine well.
5. Add the celery and onion.
6. Refrigerate while the chicken is poaching to allow the flavors to blend.

1. Combine the chicken with the dressing.
2. Add any additional ingredients, such as grapes, dried cranberries, mandarin oranges, or the like.
3. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. Any crispy ingredients, such as nuts or chinese noodles, should be added immediately before serving so they don't get soggy.
5. Arrange scoops of chicken salad on lettuce leaves.

1. Add chipotle chili powder to the mayonnaise to spice up the chicken salad.Food Network: Chicken, Black Bean, and Corn Salad with Chipotle Mayonnaise
2. Fruit, such as peaches or grapes, makes an interesting addition.Epicurious.com: Chicken Salad with Peaches and Walnuts
3. Use herbs, such as rosemary or cilantro, to liven up the dish.Epicurious.com: Chicken Salad with Rosemary, Almonds and Green Onions
4. Toasted nuts can be added.Epicurious.com: Chicken Salad with Peaches and Walnuts
5. A tablespoon of preserves or honey will add a sweet touch to your dressing.Simply Recipes: Chicken Salad Recipe (September 18, 2006)

• Food Network: Chicken Club Salad</ref>
  • This recipe takes traditional club sandwich ingredients, and mixes them up in an interesting chicken salad.
• Epicurious.com: Chicken Salad with Piquillo Peppers, Almonds, and Spicy Greens</ref>
  • Peppers, almonds, and mustard liven up leftover roast chicken in this recipe.
• All Recipes: Grilled Chicken Salad with Seasonal FruitAll Recipes: Grilled Chicken Salad with Seasonal Fruit
  • Grilled Chicken is combined with fresh berries in this easy to prepare chicken salad.
• Recipezaar: Jamie Deen's Chicken SaladRecipezaar: Jamie Deen's Chicken Salad
  • This recipe, from Paula Deen's son Jamie, uses a few tablespoons of the poaching liquid mixed in with the dressing.
• Martha Stewart: Chicken Salad SandwichMartha Stewart: Chicken Salad Sandwich
  • Martha's recipe for this classic includes yogurt, apples and watercress.