Level up your basic chicken salad! Add these 5 ingredients to make it the best

Everyone has a chicken salad recipe, but these additions will take yours up a notch.

Chicken salad is a tried-and-true party food, but if you want your salad to stand out from the rest, you’ll need to add just FIVE game-changing ingredients to your regular recipe to be crowned champion of any chicken salad showdown.

Rachael Yerkes shared her chicken salad recipe with five key ingredients, each adding unique flavor and texture.

• Microgreens – These tender greens add a burst of freshness and color, along with essential nutrients like vitamins and antioxidants.
• Apples – Honeycrisp apples bring a sweet, juicy crunch that balances the savory flavors of the chicken, while providing fiber and vitamin C.
• Cucumbers – Offering a cool, hydrating crunch, cucumbers lighten the salad and complement the sweetness of the apples and dates.
• Dates – Naturally sweet and chewy, dates add a rich caramel flavor, balancing the savory ingredients and providing fiber and potassium.
• Mini Bell Peppers – These colorful peppers contribute a mild sweetness and crunchy texture, brightening the salad both visually and flavor-wise.

Together, these ingredients create a chicken salad that’s fresh, flavorful, and packed with nutrients.

Freshen It Up: If your salad has absorbed some of the dressing over time, you can easily restore its creamy texture and bright flavor. Just stir in a bit of extra mayo or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving.

Store Separately for the Best Texture: If you’re prepping the salad in advance, store the dressing in a separate container and mix it into the salad right before serving. This helps maintain the crispness of the apples, celery, and cucumbers.

Chicken Salad Recipe

INGREDIENTS

Salad Base

• 1 bunch celery, finely chopped
• 2 Honeycrisp apples, diced
• 1 large English cucumber, diced
• ½ bunch fresh parsley, finely chopped
• ½ bunch fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 2 oz microgreens (1 clamshell)
• 1 cup sweet mini peppers, chopped
• 10 dates, chopped
• 1 cup pecans, chopped
• 2 cups Parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1 bunch fresh dill, finely chopped
• 1 rotisserie chicken, chunked (about 5-6 cups)

Creamy Lemon Dressing

• 3 large lemons, juiced
• 1 cup mayo
• ¼ cup olive oil or avocado oil
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 2 tsp honey
• 1 tbsp vinegar
• ½ tsp dried dill
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder

METHOD

1. Chop the celery, apples, cucumber, mini bell peppers, parsley, cilantro, dill, and green onions. Slice the dates, chop the pecans, and shred or chunk the rotisserie chicken.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, mayo, olive oil, garlic, honey, vinegar, and spices. Adjust seasoning to taste, then set the dressing aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, chopped veggies, herbs, dates, pecans, Parmesan cheese, and microgreens. Pour the creamy lemon dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
4. Serve the salad in several ways:

• As a Sandwich – Pile it onto fresh bread or croissants for a delicious meal.
• In a Lettuce Wrap – A lighter, low-carb option.
• Over Mixed Greens – For a protein-packed salad bowl.
• With Crackers or Pita Chips – A fun and tasty snack or appetizer.

Find more recipes from Rachael on Instagram, @ezpzmealz, or on her website, eazypeazymealz.com.