This basic chicken salad recipe is one of my family’s favorites.
You can use dark meat or white meat or a combination.
My personal preference for this chicken salad is breasts.
Basic Chicken Salad Recipe
Ingredients
1/2 cup blanched slivered almonds*
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups chopped, cooked chicken meat
1 stalk celery, chopped
Directions
Place the almonds in a frying pan. Toast over medium-high heat, shaking frequently. Watch carefully, as they burn easily.
In a medium bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and ground black pepper. Toss with the chopped, cooked chicken meat, blanched slivered almonds, and chopped celery.
*How To Blanch Almonds
Having blanched almonds on hand in your kitchen opens your cabinets up to a whole world of recipes, both savory and sweet.
Basic Blanched Almond Recipes
Purchase the highest quality skin-on almonds you can find. Ideally look for organic almonds at your local natural foods store.
Depending on how many almonds you are blanching fill a small or medium saucepan approximately half full of water.
Bring the water to a full rolling boil.
Gently slide the almonds into the boiling water, making sure that the almonds stay submerged.
Boil skin-on almonds for about 30 seconds, any longer and the almonds will cook and lose their crispness.
Drain the almonds in the sink with a strainer, run cold water over them, and spread them in a single layer on the kitchen towels. Pat dry
Once the almonds are warm to the touch, grasp a single almond between your thumb and forefinger, pinch with medium pressure to slide the skin off the nut Place the skinned almonds on a separate kitchen towel.
Once they are all skinned pat them completely dry and then seal in a plastic zip-top bag and keep in the freezer or refrigerator until use.
As you can see blanching almonds is a time consuming process. It’s better just to buy them.
I think you and your family will really love this recipe. Even though it’s basic you can add variety by any additions that your family likes. A great Chicken Salad Recipe!
You Might Need:
Slivered Blanched Almonds – 4 lb
