I have found another fantastic chicken salad to include on my fantasy cafe menu, I mentioned here. This one comes from Trisha Yearwood's cookbook Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood. I just checked out both of her cookbooks from the library and they are full of easy, authentic Southern recipes.
It has been hotter than Hades around here and a plate filled with fresh fruit, a wedge of cheese, crackers, and a generous scoop of chicken salad is one of my favorite dinners during the dog days of summer. While I loved the fruit on the plate and the rich nuttiness of the cheese was divine, this chicken salad was the star of the show! The toasted almonds added the crunch that is a requirement for me in a chicken salad, the grapes added juicy sweetness and the poppy seeds gave it that something extra. Really fantastic!
Chicken Poppy Seed Salad
Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood, Trisha Yearwood
2½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 celery stalks, finely chopped
4 cups seedless grapes, halved
2 cups slivered almonds
2 cups mayonnaise
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons poppy seeds
2 tablespoons dried dill
Boil the chicken in a large pot filled with water until done, about 45 minutes. Drain the chicken and set aside to cool. Once the chicken is cooled, dice into small pieces and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the celery, grapes, almonds, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, poppy seeds, and dill. Mix until the salad is fully combined. Store in the refrigerator.
4 celery stalks, finely chopped
4 cups seedless grapes, halved
2 cups slivered almonds
2 cups mayonnaise
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons poppy seeds
2 tablespoons dried dill
Boil the chicken in a large pot filled with water until done, about 45 minutes. Drain the chicken and set aside to cool. Once the chicken is cooled, dice into small pieces and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the celery, grapes, almonds, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, poppy seeds, and dill. Mix until the salad is fully combined. Store in the refrigerator.
My Notes: I didn't include the celery (don't like) or the dill (didn't have). I also halved the recipe but wish I had made a bigger batch!
What a fantastic looking dish of chicken salad, fruit and cheese with crackers. I saw Trisha's cookbook and have been looking at purchasing it; several times. I also like your idea of going to the library and checking cookbooks out first. Brilliant!
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