Wild Rice And Artichoke Heart Chicken Salad
A vibrant chicken salad featuring wild rice, artichoke hearts, fresh herbs, and a tangy lemon-Dijon dressing, perfect for light lunches, picnics, or healthy gatherings.
Ingredients
- 4 c. boiled, pulled chicken ⓘ
- 4 c. cooked wild rice ⓘ
- 2 cans quartered artichoke hearts ⓘ
- 3/4 c. diced celery ⓘ
- 3/4 c. diced carrots ⓘ
- 4 bunches minced green onions ⓘ
- 3/4 c. diced roasted red peppers ⓘ
- 1 c. extra virgin olive oil ⓘ
- 1/2 c. Dijon mustard ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. black pepper ⓘ
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 c. minced fresh parsley ⓘ
- 1/2 c. minced fresh cilantro ⓘ
- juice of 5 lemons ⓘ
Instructions
- Mix the olive oil, Dijon mustard, black pepper, garlic powder, minced parsley, minced cilantro, and lemon juice with a whisk. Set the dressing aside.
- Combine the pulled chicken, cooked wild rice, quartered artichoke hearts, diced celery, diced carrots, minced green onions, and diced roasted red peppers in a large bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss until well incorporated.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, consider using Greek yogurt instead of half the olive oil in the dressing. You can also substitute the wild rice with quinoa for a gluten-free option. Fresh herbs like dill or tarragon could add a nice twist to the flavor. If you prefer, canned chicken can be used for a quicker option, but ensure it’s well-drained.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Wild Rice and Artichoke Heart Chicken Salad over a bed of mixed greens or alongside whole-grain bread for a satisfying meal. It pairs beautifully with Great And Easy Soup for a complete lunch or dinner. Consider adding a sprinkle of feta cheese or sliced almonds for extra flavor and texture.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between to ensure even heating. This salad can also be enjoyed cold, making it perfect for meal prep or picnics.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Wild Rice And Artichoke Heart Chicken Salad contains roughly 1324 calories, with 55g protein, 188g carbohydrates, and 62g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (257% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (206% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 939mg per serving (41% 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, this salad can be made a day in advance. Just keep the dressing separate until you are ready to serve to prevent the ingredients from becoming soggy. The flavors will meld beautifully, enhancing the taste.
What can I substitute for chicken?
If you want a vegetarian option, you can replace the chicken with chickpeas or grilled tofu. For a different protein, consider using canned tuna or shredded rotisserie turkey, like in the Wonderful Turkey Breast recipe, which would work well here.
Is there a way to make this salad spicier?
Absolutely! You can add diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce to the dressing for some heat. Additionally, incorporating spicy mustard instead of Dijon can elevate the flavor profile and give it a nice kick.
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).