Cheap Eats – Chicken Salad

Every time I cook chicken I always have left overs. Maybe it is because I live by myself or it is the fact that nobody can (let me rephrase that) should eat a 5lb chicken. Earlier this week I made beer can chicken. Probably the best way to roast a chicken. Even with having friends over, I still had 2-3 cups of chicken meat left over. So what is the cure? Homemade chicken salad, of course.

I have always loved chicken salad.  It is amazing.
I have always loved chicken salad. It is amazing.

Chicken salad is amazing for lunch, dinner or even an appetizer. 

Chicken Salad

  • 2 cups cooked chicken – (cubed or shredded)
  • 2 stalks celery
  • 2 green onions
  • 1/2 cup of red onion
  • 1 green pepper
  • 1/2 – 3/4 cup mayonnaise  – (add based on your taste)
  • 1 tbs dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper – (optional)
  • salt and pepper – to taste

The first step is dice your vegetables. 

Simple and Fresh
Simple and Fresh

Try to dice all of them so that they are about the same size.  I diced mine about a 1/4 inch square.

 

 Green Peppers  Green Onion Celery 

Then place the vegetables and the chicken in a bowl and mix it up.

Place everything in the bowl and then toss together.
Place everything in the bowl and then toss together.

Now add the mayonnaise, dijon mustard, cayenne pepper (optional) salt and pepper.  Mix everything together.  If you feel you need more mayonaise add a bit more. 

As you can see the vegetables give the salad a nice color.
As you can see the vegetables give the salad a nice color.

That is it.  Chicken salad is extremely easy.  You can add fresh herbs if you like.  Cilantro, tarragon and parsley make good additions.  Serve the chicken salad on nice bread for sandwiches.  Serve it on a bowl of iceberg lettuce for a dinner salad.  Or, carve out a nice heirloom tomato, slice it partially through into quarters forming a flower shape, spread out petals and place a spoonful of chicken salad in the middle for a nice appetizer.

I love chicken salad so I always pile it high and eat up the bits that fall out with potato chips.
I love chicken salad so I always pile it high and eat up the bits that fall out with potato chips.

Refrigerate any leftovers.

Doesn't that look delicious!!
Doesn't that look delicious!!

This chicken salad recipe is quick easy and full of fresh flavors from the vegetables.

It was amazing
It was amazing

If you are in the mood for some chicken salad and you don’t have any leftovers, you can can always pick up a rotisserie chicken from the supermarket.  Most supermarkets have a day where they have them onsale.  Even if you don’t want to eat it, it can be affordable to pick it up for lunch meat.  You can also make open face hot chicken sandwiches with it. 

Rex

Rex is an avid griller, barbecuer and bacon enthusiast. He is the Pitmaster for the Rex BBQ competition team. Rex was also featured on the TV show American Grilled. If you have any questions or wish to have Rex decode your favorite dish, click on the ASK REX link in the menu above.

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