Chicken salad is a complete meal when served as lunch or dinner. Chicken salad recipes are not too heavy yet not too light and are just right when served with a glass of white wine. With boneless chicken breasts, tomatoes, mixed salad greens, jalapeno pepper cheese, whole kernel corns, black beans, ripe olives, green onions, chili powder and cumin, the chicken salad recipes are easy to make as they are healthy.
History of Chicken Salad
Chicken salad is most popular in American cuisine and it is believed the salad was first served in Wakefield, Rhode Island by Town Meats back in the year 1863. The original chicken salad recipe was prepared by the owner Liam Gray, who mixed leftover chicken with grapes, mayonnaise and tarragon. Soon, the dish became popular as a delicatessen in the meat market throughout the world.
Ingredients Used and Popular Methods of Preparation of Chicken Salad
All chicken salad recipes have one ingredient in common i.e. the chicken, while the rest of ingredients can vary according to the chef’s personal choice. Some ingredients which are still commonly used by most people include hard-boiled eggs, mustard sauces and mayonnaise. The chicken salad recipes are simple as they just use boiled chicken slices or shredded chicken and are prepared by mixing the meat with assorted vegetables, fruits and sprouts like lettuce, tomato, cucumber, avocado and boiled beans.
Serving and Eating Chicken Salad
Chicken salad recipes prescribe presentation in much the same way like the tuna salads. A classic chicken salad is served with a topping of fresh lettuce, avocado and tomato. Much often, the salad is served in sandwiches.
Popular Variations in Chicken Salad
The Asian and European chicken salad recipes may be completely simple or may come with assorted salad dressings ranging from jam and mayonnaise to cheese and salsa. The popular variations include preparing the salad with couscous, rice, noodles and tropical fruits instead of the traditional vegetables.
Health and Nutrition Facts of Chicken Salad Recipes
The nutritional value varies with the different ingredients in the different chicken salad recipes. Generally, a chicken salad comes packed with protein, phosphorus and vitamins.
Chicken Salad: Trivia
A little sprinkle of cayenne pepper in chicken salad recipes can make them spicy and healthier.