Almond Chicken Salad
A creamy, crunchy almond chicken salad with tender chicken, crisp celery, and toasted almonds, perfect for a light lunch or picnic, offering a delightful blend of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Sauté onions in butter until light brown.
- Drain well.
- Combine cooked chicken, diced celery, mayonnaise, granulated garlic, salt, black pepper, and drained almonds in a bowl.
- Toss lightly to coat ingredients evenly with mayonnaise.
- Serve chilled.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for half of the mayonnaise. If you prefer a crunchier texture, try adding diced apples or grapes. Feel free to use rotisserie chicken for convenience. To enhance the flavor, consider mixing in a tablespoon of Dijon mustard or a squeeze of lemon juice. Always taste and adjust seasoning to your preference.
Serving Suggestions
This almond chicken salad is perfect as a light lunch on its own or served on a bed of mixed greens. It pairs beautifully with Nutty Broccoli Slaw for a refreshing side. You can also serve it in a sandwich or wrap for a quick meal. Consider offering crackers or toasted baguette slices for added crunch.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover almond chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To keep the almonds crunchy, consider adding them just before serving. If you need to reheat the chicken, do so gently in the microwave, but be aware that the salad is best served cold.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Almond Chicken Salad contains roughly 750 calories, with 22g protein, 87g carbohydrates, and 48g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (128% of the Daily Value), iron (74% of the Daily Value), and calcium (50% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 772mg per serving (34% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make this salad more filling?
To make the almond chicken salad more filling, consider adding cooked quinoa or brown rice. Both options add bulk and additional nutrients. You could also include hard-boiled eggs or chickpeas for an extra protein boost.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).