Summertime Chicken Salad
A vibrant and refreshing chicken salad featuring peaches, celery, and green onions, perfect for summer gatherings and light, flavorful meals.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup light mayonnaise ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons lemon or lime juice ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon sugar ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon curry powder (optional) ⓘ
- 2 cups cooked chicken ⓘ
- 4 peaches or nectarines, cubed ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped celery ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions ⓘ
- 1/4 cup toasted almonds (optional) ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together light mayonnaise, lemon or lime juice, sugar, ground ginger, salt, and pepper.
- If making curried chicken salad, whisk in curry powder.
- Stir in cooked chicken, cubed peaches or nectarines, chopped celery, and chopped green onions.
- Cover and chill the salad.
- Before serving, stir in toasted almonds, if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, consider using Greek yogurt instead of light mayonnaise. If you're short on peaches or nectarines, diced apples or grapes can be a delicious substitute. Make sure to cube the fruit just before adding to prevent browning. Adding a handful of fresh herbs like cilantro or mint can elevate the flavor profile of this chicken salad.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this refreshing chicken salad on a bed of mixed greens or in whole-wheat pita pockets for a satisfying meal. It pairs beautifully with a side of crisp vegetable sticks or a light fruit salad. For a complete summer spread, consider serving alongside other light dishes like Ginny'S Vegetable Casserole.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If the salad seems dry upon reheating, add a little more mayonnaise or yogurt to restore its creaminess. This dish is best enjoyed chilled, so consider serving it right from the fridge.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Summertime Chicken Salad contains roughly 363 calories, with 6g protein, 43g carbohydrates, and 22g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (36% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1284mg per serving (56% 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 rotisserie chicken for this salad?
Absolutely! Using leftover rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver and adds extra flavor to the salad. Just shred or chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces before mixing it with the other ingredients.
Is it possible to make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare this chicken salad a day in advance. Just follow the recipe, but wait to add the almonds until right before serving to keep them crunchy. Store it in the fridge to let the flavors meld together.
What can I use instead of mayonnaise for a dairy-free version?
To make this salad dairy-free, substitute light mayonnaise with a vegan mayo or a blend of mashed avocado and lemon juice. This will provide creaminess while keeping the dish delicious and aligned with your dietary preferences.
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).