Would you like to know how to make chicken salad? At its simplest, chicken salad is a combination of chicken and dressing, often with the addition of vegetables, fruits or nuts, that can be served on a bed of greens or used as a sandwich filling.http://www.slashfood.com/2006/09/21/food-porn-chicken-salad-sandwich

Chicken salad is a versatile dish that can be brought to a summer potluck, served as an elegant main dish at a bridal shower, or it could be a nice change of pace for a casual dinner. This guide will teach you the basics of how to make chicken salad, step by step.

• 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)