All of these recipes start with the Basic Chicken Salad (see below) but can also be eaten on its own! Switching out a few ingredients from the Basic Chicken Salad transforms the salads' flavors and textures.
Basic Chicken Salad:
In a medium bowl, stir together 2 cups chopped cooked chicken, 1/2 cup chopped celery, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onion tops, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
Prepare Basic Chicken Salad but omit the celery and mayo. Add 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds, 2 tablespoons raisins, 1/3 cup plain yogurt, and 1/4 cup mango chutney.
Waldorf Chicken Salad:
Prepare Basic Chicken Salad but omit the parsley. Add1/2 chopped apple, 1/2 cup halved grapes, and 1/4 cup roughly chopped walnut pieces.
Mexican Chicken Salad:
Prepare Basic Chicken Salad but omit the parsley, lemon juice, and black pepper. Add 1/2 cup shredded Mexican style four-cheese blend, 1/2 cup chopped tomato, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 2 finely chopped jalapeño peppers (seeded if you'd like) and 1/2 teaspoon taco seasoning mix.
Lemon Avocado Chicken Salad
Prepare Basic Chicken Salad, adding 1/2 cup chopped avocado, 1/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese, 2 teaspoons lemon zest, 1 tablespoon additional lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon minced garlic.
*Midwest Living Magazine, June 2014