Cold Lagoon Chicken Salad
A refreshing and hearty chicken salad featuring tender chicken, crisp apples, seedless grapes, and crunchy almonds, perfect for light lunches or picnics with a sweet and savory flavor profile.
Ingredients
- 2 whole chicken breasts, cooked and diced ⓘ
- 3 cups cooked rice ⓘ
- 1.5 cups seedless grapes, halved
- 1 cup chopped unpeeled red apple ⓘ
- 0.5 cup chopped celery ⓘ
- 0.75 cup slivered almonds ⓘ
- 0.5 cup chopped water chestnuts ⓘ
- 1 cup mayonnaise ⓘ
- 0.5 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon ⓘ
- 0.5 cup drained pineapple (optional)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
- Mix well to ensure even distribution of flavors.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Serve chilled and enjoy.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider using leftover grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken instead of boiled. You can substitute Greek yogurt for mayonnaise for a lighter version. If you prefer, use walnuts instead of almonds, and green apples for a tangier taste. Adjust the seasoning to your liking, especially if you enjoy a hint of sweetness from the cinnamon.
Serving Suggestions
This Cold Lagoon Chicken Salad is perfect for a light lunch or picnic. Serve it on a bed of mixed greens or alongside crusty bread. It pairs beautifully with fresh fruit or a side of vegetable sticks for crunch. Consider serving it at gatherings, as it complements other dishes like Chicken Salad(Hot) and is sure to please a crowd.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to meld as it sits. To refresh the salad, you may want to add a bit more mayonnaise before serving again, as it can dry out slightly when stored.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cold Lagoon Chicken Salad contains roughly 718 calories, with 22g protein, 38g carbohydrates, and 56g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (43% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (26% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1888mg per serving (82% 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 make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare this salad a day in advance. Just be sure to keep it refrigerated and give it a good stir before serving. The flavors improve as it sits, making it a great option for meal prep or parties.
What can I use instead of grapes?
If you're not a fan of grapes, you can use dried cranberries or chopped pineapple for a different flavor profile. These alternatives add a nice sweetness and texture that complements the other ingredients well.
Is this salad suitable for kids?
Absolutely! This salad is not only nutritious but also appealing to kids due to its sweet and crunchy components. You can adjust the ingredients based on your child's preferences, ensuring a family-friendly meal.
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).