Favorite Chicken Salad
A delightful chicken salad featuring tender cooked chicken, crunchy celery, sweet dates, and tangy citrus, perfect for light lunches or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 3 c. cooked chicken, cubed ⓘ
- 1 1/2 c. sliced celery ⓘ
- 3/4 c. sliced dates ⓘ
- 3/4 c. sour cream ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. orange juice ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. minced green onions ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. diced pimento ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- few drops hot pepper sauce ⓘ
- 1 (11 oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. toasted slivered almonds ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine cooked chicken, sliced celery, sliced dates, sour cream, orange juice, lemon juice, minced green onions, diced pimento, salt, and hot pepper sauce to taste.
- Garnish the salad with drained mandarin oranges and toasted slivered almonds before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream. You can also swap out the dates for raisins or cranberries if preferred. To enhance flavors, try adding a pinch of curry powder or some chopped apples. Fresh herbs like dill or parsley can add a refreshing touch. Make sure to use cooked chicken; rotisserie chicken works well for convenience.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this chicken salad on a bed of greens or in a sandwich for a satisfying meal. It pairs wonderfully with Light Scalloped Potatoes for a complete dinner. Consider adding a side of fruit salad or vegetable sticks for extra crunch. For a brunch option, serve it alongside croissants or as part of a buffet spread.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. If the salad seems dry after sitting, add a little more sour cream or yogurt before serving. Avoid freezing the salad, as the texture of the ingredients, especially the mandarin oranges, may change.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Favorite Chicken Salad contains roughly 159 calories, with 8g protein, 31g carbohydrates, and 1g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (23% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1751mg 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
Can I use leftover chicken for this salad?
Absolutely! Leftover grilled or roasted chicken works perfectly in this recipe. Just ensure the chicken is cubed into bite-sized pieces for easy mixing and eating.
How can I make this salad spicier?
To add more heat, increase the amount of hot pepper sauce or include chopped jalapeños. Alternatively, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper for a different type of heat.
Is this chicken salad suitable for meal prep?
Yes, this chicken salad is great for meal prep! Just keep the ingredients mixed together in advance and add the mandarin oranges and almonds right before serving to maintain freshness.
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).