Chicken Salad With Almonds
A creamy chicken salad with crunchy toasted almonds, fresh celery, and a tangy lemon mayonnaise dressing, perfect for light lunches or picnics with vibrant flavors.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Toss the cooked, finely diced chicken and sliced celery together in a bowl.
- Mix minced onion, lemon juice, mayonnaise, and whipping cream in a separate bowl.
- Add the dressing to the chicken and celery mixture and toss until evenly coated.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, then stir in toasted almonds.
- Chill the salad before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider using rotisserie chicken instead of plain cooked chicken. If you prefer a lighter dressing, you can substitute Greek yogurt for half of the mayonnaise. For a crunchier texture, try adding diced apples or grapes. Toasting the almonds brings out their flavor, so don’t skip that step. This chicken salad can also be served on a bed of greens for a fresh twist.
Serving Suggestions
This chicken salad pairs beautifully with a side of crusty bread or on a bed of mixed greens. For a complete meal, serve it alongside a light soup like Colby-Swiss Cheese Soup or a fresh fruit salad. You can also use it as a filling for sandwiches or wraps, perfect for picnics or quick lunches.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If the salad becomes too thick after chilling, you can stir in a little more mayonnaise or cream to loosen it. Avoid freezing the salad as the texture may change upon thawing. Serve cold for best taste.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Salad With Almonds contains roughly 746 calories, with 7g protein, 23g carbohydrates, and 72g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (44% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1746mg per serving (76% 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
What can I substitute for almonds if I have a nut allergy?
If you have a nut allergy, you can substitute the almonds with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a similar crunch. Alternatively, you can omit the nuts entirely and add extra celery or diced apples for texture. This will still provide a delicious flavor and maintain the salad's integrity.
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).