Almond Chicken Salad is a delightful blend of tender chicken, crunchy almonds, and crisp vegetables, all tossed in a creamy dressing.
This versatile dish offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a refreshing choice for any occasion.
Whether enjoyed as a light lunch, a satisfying side dish, or a crowd-pleasing potluck offering, Almond Chicken Salad is sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.
How Long Will It Take To Prepare?
The preparation time for making almond chicken salad typically ranges from 15 to 20 minutes, depending on factors such as cooking the chicken, toasting the almonds, and chopping the vegetables. Here’s a breakdown of the time:
- Cooking and cooling the chicken: 10-15 minutes (if using pre-cooked chicken, this step can be skipped)
- Toasting the almonds: 3-5 minutes
- Chopping the vegetables and preparing the dressing: 5-7 minutes
- Assembling the salad: 2-3 minutes
- So, in total, you’re looking at approximately 20 minutes on the higher end to prepare almond chicken salad from start to finish.
- Yield: The Almond Chicken Salad recipe typically yields about four servings, depending on portion sizes.
- Difficulty level: Almond Chicken Salad is relatively easy to prepare and is suitable for cooks of all skill levels.
How Do You Make Almond Chicken Salad?
Almond chicken salad is a delicious and satisfying dish that combines tender chicken, crunchy almonds, and crisp vegetables with a creamy dressing. Here’s a simple recipe to guide you through making almond chicken salad:
Essential Ingredients For Almond Chicken Salad:
For the Salad
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lettuce leaves for serving
For the Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- Two tablespoons of Greek yogurt or sour cream
- One tablespoon of lemon juice
- One teaspoon of Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Essential Instructions For The Almond Chicken Salad:
Step 1
Prepare the Chicken
Cook chicken breasts by boiling, grilling, or baking until fully cooked. Allow them to cool, then dice or shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2
Toast the Almonds
In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the sliced almonds until they are golden brown and fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning. This should take about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and let them cool.
Step 3
Prepare the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt (or sour cream), lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until well combined. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Step 4
Assemble the Salad
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, toasted almonds, chopped celery, red onion, and dried cranberries or raisins (if using).
Step 5
Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated with the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Step 6
Serve
To serve, line a serving platter or individual plates with lettuce leaves. Spoon the almond chicken salad onto the lettuce leaves and garnish with additional sliced almonds or fresh herbs if desired.
Additional Tips For Almond Chicken Salad:
- You can customize this salad by adding other ingredients like diced apples, grapes, or water chestnuts for extra crunch and flavor.
- For a lighter version, you can use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise or a combination of both.
- Make sure the chicken is completely cooled before mixing it with the other ingredients to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
- This salad can be served immediately or chilled in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Leftover almond chicken salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Enjoy your homemade almond chicken salad as a refreshing and nutritious meal or side dish!
Nutrition Facts Of Almond Chicken Salad
The nutrition facts of almond chicken salad can vary based on the specific ingredients and proportions used in the recipe.
However, here’s an approximate breakdown of the nutrition facts for a typical serving of almond chicken salad (about 1 cup or 200 grams):
| Nutrition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 300 calories |
| Protein | 25 grams |
| Fat | 20 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 15 grams |
| Fiber | 3 grams |
| Sugars | 5 grams |
| Sodium | 400 milligrams |
It’s important to note that these values are approximate and can vary depending on factors such as the specific brands of ingredients used, the portion size, and any additional toppings or dressings added to the salad.
Conclusion
Almond chicken salad is a versatile and satisfying dish that combines tender chicken, crunchy almonds, crisp vegetables, and a creamy dressing.
With its delicious flavor and nutrient-rich ingredients, it’s a perfect option for a light lunch, picnic, or potluck.
By following a simple recipe and incorporating fresh, high-quality ingredients, you can create a nutritious and delicious salad that everyone will enjoy.
Whether served on its own, as a sandwich filling or wrapped in a lettuce leaf, almond chicken salad is sure to be a hit at any mealtime.