Chicken Salad Mousse
A smooth, savory chicken mousse infused with peas, relish, and curry, perfect for elegant appetizers or light lunches, appealing to those who enjoy flavorful, chilled dishes.
Ingredients
- 1 large chicken (4 to 5 lb.)
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 10 oz. frozen peas, thawed and drained ⓘ
- 3 envelopes unflavored gelatin ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups finely chopped celery ⓘ
- 1 cup lite sour cream ⓘ
- 3/4 cup sweet pickle relish ⓘ
- 1 tsp. lemon juice ⓘ
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. curry powder ⓘ
- 4 hard-cooked eggs ⓘ
- 1/2 cup cold water ⓘ
Instructions
- Place the chicken in a large pot, cover with water, add salt and pepper, and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until the chicken is tender and falls from the bones.
- Allow the chicken to cool, then discard the skin and bones.
- Cut the chicken into 1/2-inch pieces, yielding about 4 cups.
- Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the chicken broth.
- Remove fat from the broth and pour into a saucepan.
- In a large bowl, mix the chopped chicken, thawed peas, relish, lemon juice, curry powder, hard-cooked eggs, chopped celery, mayonnaise, and sour cream.
- Dissolve the gelatin in cold water, then stir into the reserved chicken broth.
- Heat the broth to boiling, stirring continuously.
- Allow the broth to cool slightly, then combine with the chicken mixture.
- Spray a 10-cup mold or two 9x5-inch loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared mold.
- Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour or overnight.
- Unmold the mousse onto a serving platter.
- Slice and serve on a bed of lettuce.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider using herbs like dill or parsley in your chicken salad mixture. If you're short on time, a rotisserie chicken can work as a quick substitute for boiling your own. You can also replace the lite sour cream with Greek yogurt for a healthier twist. Adjust the curry powder to your taste, or omit it entirely for a milder flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this chicken salad mousse on a bed of crisp lettuce for a refreshing presentation. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or crackers for a delightful contrast. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside a light soup, such as Creamy Cauliflower And Ham Soup. Garnish with fresh herbs for a pop of color.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover chicken salad mousse in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If the mousse becomes too firm, you can gently stir in a little chicken broth or water to loosen it before serving. Avoid freezing, as the texture may change when thawed.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Salad Mousse contains roughly 318 calories, with 12g protein, 59g carbohydrates, and 9g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (94% of the Daily Value), iron (54% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (41% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1175mg per serving (51% 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 canned chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use canned chicken as a time-saving alternative. Just ensure to drain it well and shred it before mixing with the other ingredients. This will help maintain the desired texture and flavor of the mousse.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, substitute the chicken with a mix of cooked lentils or chickpeas and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also add diced vegetables like bell peppers or carrots for added texture and flavor.
What can I serve with chicken salad mousse?
Chicken salad mousse pairs well with a variety of sides. Consider serving it with a light green salad, fresh fruit, or whole-grain crackers. It also goes nicely with a chilled soup, like gazpacho, for a complete meal experience.
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).