This Easy Chicken Salad Recipe (in a jar) is probably my favorite 20-minute salads of all time. It's easy, fun and so healthy! It's a very satisfying and tasty meal that's easy to love. You need to make this home made chicken salad.
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This Chicken Salad Bowl is low in calories and high in protein. You can also customize this with grapes, walnuts, pecans and even without mayo. I'll also show the best way to cook chicken for chicken salad.
The best part? It's very quick and easy to make. Whether it's a busy weekday or a relaxing weekend, this perfect salad is sure to satisfy your cravings and brighten your day. Looking for more quick meal inspo? You are going to love my:
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- Ingredients for Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
- Instructions for Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
- Substitutions for Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
- Equipment
- Storage for Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
- 3 Top Tips for Success!
- FAQ's for this Easy Chicken Salad Recipe!
- Related
- Pairing
- Easy Chicken Salad Recipe (in a jar)
- Food safety
Ingredients for Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Maple syrup
- Ground walnuts
- Salt
- Tomato
- Cucumber
- Red onion
- Corn
- Red Bell Pepper
- 3 tablespoon feta cheese
- Iceberg Lettuce
- Chicken (grilled or cooked)
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions for Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
Prepare the dressing.
Layer your jar.
Seal & Store.
Serve & Enjoy.
Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl or directly in the jar, whisk together the dressing ingredients until well combined. Set aside.
Layer your jar: Start by adding the dressing to the bottom of your jar. This ensures the salad stays fresh and flavors meld together.
Next, layer in the diced tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, corn, red bell pepper, feta cheese, chopped lettuce, and diced chicken.
Seal and store:Once all ingredients are in the jar, seal it tightly and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Enjoy: When hunger strikes, simply open the jar and pour the contents into a deep bowl. Mix well to distribute the dressing evenly. For an extra flavor boost, drizzle with sweet balsamic glaze before serving.
Substitutions for Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
Here are some possible substitutions for each ingredient in this quick and easy chicken salad bowl recipe:
Dressing Ingredients:
- Olive oil: Avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or sunflower oil.
- Balsamic vinegar: Red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or rice vinegar.
- Maple syrup/honey: Agave nectar, brown sugar, or date syrup.
- Ground walnuts: Ground almonds, pecans, or pine nuts.
- Salt: Soy sauce (for a slightly different flavor profile), sea salt, or tamari (if you prefer gluten-free).
Salad Ingredients:
- Tomato: Cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted red peppers.
- Cucumbers: Zucchini slices, bell peppers, or celery.
- Red onion: Shallots, green onions, or sweet onions.
- Corn: Black beans, chickpeas, or edamame.
- Red pepper: Yellow bell pepper, orange bell pepper, or roasted poblano pepper.
- Feta cheese: Goat cheese, blue cheese, or grated Parmesan cheese.
- Lettuce: Spinach, arugula, or mixed greens.
Remember that ingredient substitutions can affect the flavor and texture of the dish, so it's best to use the original ingredients whenever possible. However, these substitutions can be useful if you don't have certain ingredients on hand or have dietary restrictions.
Equipment
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Air-Tight Glass Jar
Storage for Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
You can keep the salad jars sealed airtight in the fridge for up to 2 days.
3 Top Tips for Success!
- Keep Ingredients Fresh: Ensure all vegetables and proteins are fresh and properly stored before assembling the salad jars. This ensures optimal taste and texture when it's time to enjoy your meal.
- Layering Technique: When assembling the salad jars, layer the ingredients strategically. Start with the dressing at the bottom to prevent the lettuce from becoming soggy. Then, layer the sturdier ingredients like diced tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers before adding the softer ingredients like feta cheese and lettuce. This helps maintain the integrity of each ingredient and keeps the salad fresh.
- Customize Your Dressing: Experiment with different dressings to find your favorite flavor combination. Whether it's a classic vinaigrette, creamy ranch, or tangy balsamic glaze, choose a dressing that complements the flavors of the salad ingredients. Prepare the dressing ahead of time and store it separately until ready to assemble the salad jars for maximum freshness.
FAQ's for this Easy Chicken Salad Recipe!
A salad bowl typically contains a mix of fresh vegetables, leafy greens, proteins like chicken or tofu, cheese or other toppings, and a dressing for flavor. You can customize it with your favorite ingredients!
Chicken in salad can be good for you because it gives you protein, which helps your body grow and stay strong. Just make sure it's not fried or covered in a lot of sauce. Grilled or baked chicken is healthier. Remember to keep an eye on how much you eat and choose lots of veggies to go with it!
Chicken salad is versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways. Try serving it in a lettuce cup for a low-carb option, stuffed in a pita pocket for a portable meal, or atop a slice of toasted bread for a satisfying open-faced sandwich.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Easy Chicken Salad Recipe:
Easy Chicken Salad Recipe (in a jar)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together your desired dressing ingredients until well combined. Set aside.
- Layer your jar: Start by adding the dressing to the bottom of your jar. This ensures the salad stays fresh and flavors meld together.
- Next, layer in the diced tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, corn, red bell pepper, feta cheese, chopped lettuce, and diced chicken.
- Seal and store:Once all ingredients are in the jar, seal it tightly and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
- Enjoy: When hunger strikes, simply open the jar and pour the contents into a deep bowl. Mix well to distribute the dressing evenly. For an extra flavor boost, drizzle with sweet balsamic glaze before serving.
Food safety
We sometimes take for a granted that we have years (or decades) of cooking experience, that the average visitor may not. Add to, or remove from, the list below with health and safety tips.
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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