Deli-Style Chicken Salad

Deli-Style Chicken Salad: A Flavorful and Easy Recipe When it comes to crafting the best chicken salad, the star ingredient should always be the chicken. This classic dish offers plenty of room for customization, allowing you to tailor it to your preferences with various additions. Below, you'll find a detailed guide on how to create a delicious and easy homemade deli-style chicken salad, perfect for warm-weather picnics or a satisfying meal any time of year. Ingredients Chicken Breast (boneless, diced): 500 grams Chicken Thigh (boneless, diced): 300 grams Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons Sea Salt: ½ teaspoon Black Pepper: ¼ teaspoon Granulated Onion: ½ teaspoon Mayonnaise: ⅔ cup Celery (diced): 3 stalks Additional Sea Salt and Black Pepper: to taste Instructions Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Coat the Chicken: Lightly coat the diced chicken breasts and thighs with olive oil. Sprinkle granulated onion, cracked black pepper, and sea salt over the chicken pieces. Bake: Place the seasoned chicken in a baking dish and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part. Step 2: Cool and Dice the Chicken Cooling: Allow the chicken to cool for at least 10 minutes at room temperature. Then, refrigerate it for at least an hour to ensure it’s fully cooled. Dicing: Once cooled, dice the chicken breasts and thighs into pieces approximately ¼ inch long and ½ inch wide. This size ensures a consistent texture and flavor distribution in the salad. Step 3: Combine Ingredients Mix: In a large bowl, combine the diced chicken, diced celery, and mayonnaise. Stir well to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly distributed and coated with mayonnaise. Step 4: Refrigerate and Blend Flavors Refrigerate: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 1 to 2 hours, or preferably overnight. Allowing the salad to sit overnight helps the flavors to meld and intensify, making for a more delicious dish. Step 5: Final Seasoning and Serving Adjust Seasoning: Before serving, taste the chicken salad and adjust the seasoning with additional sea salt and black pepper as needed. Serve: Serve the deli-style chicken salad chilled, either on its own, on a bed of lettuce, in a sandwich, or as a filling for wraps. Tips for Making the Perfect Chicken Salad Chicken Preparation: Using a mix of chicken breasts and thighs provides a balance of lean meat and flavorful, tender dark meat. Seasoning: Granulated onion and black pepper add a subtle depth of flavor without overpowering the salad. Feel free to experiment with other seasonings like garlic powder or paprika. Mayonnaise: The amount of mayonnaise can be adjusted based on personal preference. For a lighter option, you can substitute some or all of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt. Additions: Customize your chicken salad by adding ingredients such as chopped apples, grapes, nuts (like almonds or walnuts), or dried cranberries for a sweet and crunchy contrast. Serving Suggestions Sandwiches: Use the chicken salad as a filling for sandwiches, pairing it with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and a slice of cheese. Salad Greens: Serve the chicken salad over a bed of mixed greens for a light and refreshing meal. Wraps: Roll the chicken salad in a tortilla or flatbread with some fresh veggies for a convenient and portable option. This deli-style chicken salad is a versatile and delicious recipe that brings the flavors of a classic deli right into your home. Whether you're preparing it for a family picnic, a quick lunch, or a potluck, this chicken salad is sure to be a hit. Enjoy the creamy, savory goodness of this homemade dish, and feel free to make it your own with your favorite ingredients and seasonings.

Deli-Style Chicken Salad: A Flavorful and Easy Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

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