What’s A Classic Carol Chicken Salad?
Classic Carol Chicken Salad is a beloved, traditional chicken salad recipe known for its simple yet flavorful ingredients. This creamy and savory dish features tender, shredded chicken blended with mayonnaise, finely chopped celery for crunch, and a touch of seasoning to enhance its taste. Often served on croissants, crackers, or as a filling for sandwiches, it’s a versatile option perfect for lunches, picnics, or light dinners. The balanced flavors and rich texture make it a timeless favorite for any occasion.
What Makes The Classic Carol Chicken Salad so Good ?
Several elements make this recipe stand out:
- Chicken Tenders Only: Using chicken tenders instead of chicken breasts creates a superior texture. Tenders shred beautifully into shorter strands, giving the chicken salad a more cohesive and delicate bite.
- Finely Chopped Celery: The celery is diced extremely fine, ensuring subtle crunch without overwhelming the dish with large pieces.
- Ranch Seasoning: A touch of dry Ranch salad dressing mix elevates the flavor, adding a unique twist that sets this recipe apart.
- Perfect Flavor Balance: This homemade version achieves an ideal harmony of ingredients, delivering a chicken salad that’s rich, flavorful, and utterly satisfying.
Ingredients :
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders
- 32 ounces low sodium chicken stock
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons finely minced celery
- 2 teaspoons dry Ranch salad dressing mix
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions :
- Cook the Chicken: Poach the chicken tenders in chicken stock by placing them in a large pot and cooking over medium heat for 15–20 minutes, or until fully cooked.
- Shred the Chicken: Use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment for quick shredding, or shred manually with two forks for a more traditional approach.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a medium-sized bowl, combine finely chopped celery, mayonnaise, dry Ranch dressing mix, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the mixture is well blended.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the shredded chicken to the dressing mixture and stir thoroughly to ensure even coating.
- Chill: Store the chicken salad in an airtight container. For the best flavor, prepare the salad a few hours in advance to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Enjoy the chicken salad in a sandwich, wrap, or on a bed of lettuce for a refreshing meal.
How to Serve Classic Carol Chicken Salad ?
- On a Bed of Lettuce: Serve a scoop of chicken salad on fresh leaf lettuce for a light, restaurant-style presentation. Leaf lettuce offers a tender texture and pairs perfectly with the creamy salad.
- As a Sandwich: Create a classic sandwich with the chicken salad, adding leaf lettuce and ripe tomato slices for extra flavor and freshness.
- Inside a Tomato or Avocado: For a creative twist, hollow out a ripe tomato or avocado and stuff it with the chicken salad. This option makes for a visually appealing and healthy dish.
Feel free to customize your serving style to suit your preferences!
What to Serve with Chicken Salad ?
- Chips: Add a crunchy element with potato chips, kettle chips, or veggie chips for a healthier option.
- Crackers: A quick and versatile pairing, perfect for scooping up the salad.
- Soup: Complement the chicken salad with a warm bowl of tomato, vegetable, or chicken noodle soup.
- Pasta Salad: A cold pasta salad with fresh veggies offers a refreshing contrast.
- Pickles: Dill pickles or sweet gherkins add a tangy flavor that balances the creaminess of the chicken salad.
- Fresh Fruit: Slices of melons, berries, apples, or grapes provide a sweet and healthy accompaniment.
- Coleslaw: The tangy crunch of coleslaw pairs well with the creamy texture of the chicken salad.
- Green Salad: A light green salad with vinaigrette offers a refreshing and crisp contrast.
- Grilled Vegetables: Smoky grilled zucchini, bell peppers, or eggplant can enhance the overall flavor.
- Potato Salad: A classic side dish that can be customized with dill, mustard, or bacon.
- Baked Beans: Sweet and smoky bacon baked beans create a flavorful contrast to the creamy salad.
These sides offer a variety of textures and flavors to round out your meal!
Flavor Pairings to Complement the Classic Carol Chicken Salad !
Beverages:
- Iced Tea: Sweet tea or a lemon-infused iced tea pairs beautifully with the creamy and savory flavors of chicken salad.
- White Wine: A crisp, light wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio balances the richness of the dish.
- Sparkling Water: Add a slice of lemon, lime, or cucumber for a refreshing, non-alcoholic option.
- Lemonade: The bright, tart flavor of lemonade complements the creamy texture of the salad.
- Chardonnay: A buttery Chardonnay enhances the richness of the chicken salad.
Sides:
- Fresh Fruit: Grapes, sliced apples, or a mixed fruit salad provide a sweet, juicy contrast.
- Pickles: Dill pickles or sweet gherkins offer a tangy and crunchy pairing.
- Pasta Salad: A light and tangy vinaigrette-based pasta salad with vegetables complements the creamy salad.
- Green Salad: A simple mixed greens salad with a lemon vinaigrette adds freshness.
Breads and Crackers:
- Croissants: Buttery and flaky, croissants elevate the chicken salad into a gourmet sandwich.
- Rustic Bread: Crusty sourdough or whole-grain bread provides a hearty base.
- Crackers: Buttery or whole-grain crackers are a perfect crunchy accompaniment.
Enhancements:
- Nuts: Serve with toasted almonds, pecans, or walnuts for added crunch and nuttiness.
- Cranberries: Sprinkle dried cranberries for a pop of sweetness.
- Avocado: Pair the salad with slices of creamy avocado for an extra layer of richness.
Recipe Variations for Classic Carol Chicken !
- Spicy Twist: Add 1 tablespoon of finely minced jalapeño for a hint of heat.
- Hard-Boiled Eggs: Stir in chopped hard-boiled eggs for extra texture and flavor.
- Dixie Chick Version: Add 1 tablespoon of chopped white onions for a savory touch.
- Olivia’s Old South Style: Mix in 2 teaspoons of sweet pickle relish and chopped hard-boiled eggs for a tangy twist.
Storing Homemade Chicken Salad !
- Storage: Keep the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It stays fresh for up to 5 days.
- Tip: For optimal flavor, let the salad chill for a couple of hours before serving.
Is This Copycat Chicken Salad Recipe Gluten-free?
It depends on your ingredients.
- Verify the chicken stock label, as some brands may contain gluten.
- Both Duke’s Mayonnaise and Hidden Valley Ranch Original Dressing Mix are gluten-free.
These tips and variations let you customize the Classic Carol Chicken Salad to suit your taste while keeping it gluten-free, as long as you check ingredient labels.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving) !
- Calories : 430 Kcal
- Carbohydrates : 5 g
- Protein : 41 g
- Fat : 27 g
- Saturated Fat : 5 g
- Cholesterol : 121 mg
- Sodium : 962 mg
- Potassium : 835 mg
- Fiber : 1 g
- Sugar : 1 g
- Vitamin A : 85 IU
- Vitamin C : 2,1 mg
- Calcium : 18 mg
- Iron : 1,2 mg
Classic carol chicken salad chick
Classic Carol Chicken Salad is a beloved, traditional chicken salad recipe known for its simple yet flavorful ingredients.
Notes
Ingredients :
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders
- 32 ounces low sodium chicken stock
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons finely minced celery
- 2 teaspoons dry Ranch salad dressing mix
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions :
- Cook the Chicken: Poach the chicken tenders in chicken stock by placing them in a large pot and cooking over medium heat for 15–20 minutes, or until fully cooked.
- Shred the Chicken: Use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment for quick shredding, or shred manually with two forks for a more traditional approach.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a medium-sized bowl, combine finely chopped celery, mayonnaise, dry Ranch dressing mix, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the mixture is well blended.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the shredded chicken to the dressing mixture and stir thoroughly to ensure even coating.
- Chill: Store the chicken salad in an airtight container. For the best flavor, prepare the salad a few hours in advance to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Enjoy the chicken salad in a sandwich, wrap, or on a bed of lettuce for a refreshing meal.
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