Chicken Salad Amandine
A creamy chicken salad with tender strips of chicken, crunchy celery, and tangy relish, garnished with almonds, perfect for light lunches or picnics. Refreshing and satisfying.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Boil chicken breasts in lightly salted water until meat is tender.
- Remove chicken from water and set aside to cool.
- Once cooled, separate meat from bones and skin by pulling, leaving chicken in medium-size strips.
- Dice the celery ribs.
- In a large bowl, toss the chicken strips, diced celery, salt, white pepper, mayonnaise, and pickle relish together.
- Cover the mixture and refrigerate until serving time.
- Garnish with almonds before serving.
- Serve with frozen fruit salad.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider marinating the chicken in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs before boiling. You can replace the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter version, and if you don't have pickle relish, chopped dill pickles or capers can work as substitutes. To enhance the texture, try adding sliced almonds directly into the salad along with the garnish.
Serving Suggestions
This Chicken Salad Amandine pairs beautifully with frozen fruit salad, which adds a refreshing contrast. Serve it on a bed of lettuce or in a sandwich with crusty bread. For a more substantial meal, consider accompanying it with a side of roasted vegetables or a light soup. This dish is perfect for picnics or potlucks.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the chicken salad in a skillet over low heat, stirring until heated through. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the chicken rubbery. You can also enjoy it cold, straight from the fridge.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Salad Amandine contains roughly 354 calories, with 9g protein, 2g carbohydrates, and 35g fat. It is a good source of protein (17% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 857mg per serving (37% 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
Can I use leftover chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Using leftover rotisserie chicken or any pre-cooked chicken will save time and still yield delicious results. Just make sure to shred or chop the chicken into medium-size strips before mixing it with the other ingredients.
How can I make this recipe healthier?
To make Chicken Salad Amandine healthier, swap out the mayonnaise for a lighter option like Greek yogurt or avocado. You can also increase the vegetable content by adding diced bell peppers or shredded carrots, which will add crunch and nutrition without significantly altering the flavor.
What can I use instead of celery?
If you don't have celery on hand, you can substitute with diced apples for a sweet crunch or chopped bell peppers for added color and flavor. Both alternatives will bring a different but delightful texture to the salad, complementing the chicken well.
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).