Low-Fat Chicken Delight
A light, flavorful chicken spread with cream cheese, celery, and spices, perfect for snacks or light lunches, appealing to health-conscious and flavor-seeking eaters alike.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. cooked chicken breasts, chopped ⓘ
- 1/4 (8 oz.) pkg. Neufchatel cheese, softened ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. reduced calorie mayonnaise ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. grated onion ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. sweet pickle juice ⓘ
- 1/2 cup finely chopped celery ⓘ
- dash of curry powder ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 Tbsp. chopped pimento
- dash of hot sauce ⓘ
- dash of garlic powder ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine softened Neufchatel cheese and mayonnaise in a bowl, beating until smooth.
- Add grated onion, pickle juice, chopped celery, curry powder, salt, pepper, chopped pimento, hot sauce, and garlic powder; mix well.
- Stir in chopped cooked chicken and 2 tablespoons of chicken broth until evenly combined.
- Coat a 2-cup mold with nonstick cooking spray and pour the chicken mixture into the prepared mold.
- Chill the mold until the mixture is firm, then unmold onto a serving plate.
- Serve with Melba toast and raw vegetables.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier texture, consider using Greek yogurt instead of Neufchatel cheese. If you want a zestier flavor, add a squeeze of lemon juice. You can substitute cooked turkey for the chicken if desired. To make it more colorful, include diced bell peppers or shredded carrots. This dish can be made a day in advance for better flavor melding.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Low-Fat Chicken Delight with Melba toast for a crunchy contrast and accompany it with fresh raw vegetables like carrot sticks and cucumber slices. It pairs beautifully with Chicken Salad Spread for a light lunch or appetizer option. For a complete meal, consider serving alongside a mixed greens salad.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you need to reheat, gently warm in the microwave or in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Avoid overheating to maintain the creamy texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Low-Fat Chicken Delight contains roughly 491 calories, with 20g protein, 11g carbohydrates, and 42g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (47% of the Daily Value) and protein (39% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1187mg per serving (52% 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 raw chicken instead of cooked?
No, this recipe specifically requires cooked chicken breasts. However, you can use rotisserie chicken for convenience. If you prefer, you could poach chicken breasts before chopping them for use in this dish.
Is there a vegetarian alternative for this recipe?
Yes, you can replace the chicken with chickpeas or shredded tofu for a vegetarian option. Additionally, you might want to increase the amount of celery and add other vegetables like diced bell peppers for texture.
How can I add more flavor to the dish?
For extra flavor, consider adding herbs like dill or parsley. You could also mix in some finely chopped jalapeños for heat, or try a dash of smoked paprika for a unique twist. Experimenting with spices can elevate the dish further.
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).