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### **Instructions:**
1. **Cook the Chicken:** If you don’t have leftover chicken, cook your chicken first. You can bake, grill, or boil chicken breasts (about 1-2 breasts) until fully cooked, then shred or chop the meat into bite-sized pieces. If you’re in a hurry, a store-bought rotisserie chicken works great, too!
2. **Prepare the Vegetables and Add-ins:** While your chicken is cooling or being shredded, prepare the other ingredients. Dice the celery, chop the onion, and (if using) dice the grapes or apples for sweetness. You can also chop up any herbs, nuts, or cheese you want to add.
3. **Make the Dressing:** In a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. This creates a creamy and tangy base for your chicken salad. If you want a lighter option, swap the mayo for Greek yogurt or a mixture of both.
4. **Combine Everything:** Add the shredded chicken to the bowl with the dressing. Then, fold in the chopped vegetables, fruits, nuts, and herbs. Gently stir until everything is well-coated and evenly mixed.
5. **Taste and Adjust:** Before serving, taste the chicken salad and adjust the seasoning if necessary. You can add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to suit your taste.
6. **Chill (Optional):** For the best flavor, cover the chicken salad and let it chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour. This allows the flavors to meld together. However, if you’re short on time, it can be served immediately.
7. **Serve and Enjoy:** Serve the chicken salad on its own, over a bed of lettuce, or in a sandwich or wrap. It’s also great with crackers or in a pita for a quick and tasty meal.
### **Serving Suggestions:**
– **Chicken Salad Sandwiches:** Spread the chicken salad on whole wheat bread, a baguette, or toasted sandwich rolls. You can also use croissants for a slightly more indulgent twist.
– **Wraps:** Use a soft tortilla or lettuce wrap for a healthier option. Fill it with the chicken salad and top it with extra greens, avocado, or cheese for a satisfying meal.
– **Over Greens:** For a lighter version, serve the chicken salad on top of a salad mix or a simple bed of lettuce. Add some sliced tomatoes or cucumber for extra freshness.
– **On Crackers or Chips:** Perfect for a snack or appetizer, serve the chicken salad with crunchy crackers or tortilla chips for dipping.
### **Why You’ll Love This Recipe**
– **Simple Ingredients:** Chicken, mayo (or Greek yogurt), veggies, and a few basic seasonings are all you need to create this crowd-pleasing dish.
– **Versatility:** You can adjust the ingredients based on your preferences. Add fruits like apples, grapes, or dried cranberries for a touch of sweetness, or throw in some nuts for crunch.
– **Healthier Options:** If you want to lighten up the recipe, use Greek yogurt in place of mayo, and add extra veggies like cucumber or bell peppers to increase the nutrition.
– **Perfect for Leftovers:** This is the perfect recipe for using up leftover chicken, and it stores well in the fridge for a few days, making it ideal for meal prep.
### **Final Thoughts**
This classic **Chicken Salad** recipe is the perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, savory, and sometimes sweet—it’s a dish that can be easily personalized to suit any taste. Whether you enjoy it in a sandwich, as a salad, or in a wrap, this chicken salad is a versatile and satisfying meal that everyone will love.
It’s also a great recipe for meal prepping for the week ahead or bringing to potlucks and picnics. Give this simple recipe a try, and let it become your go-to comfort food for any occasion!
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