Homemade Chicken Salad

This hearty Homemade Chicken Salad is loaded with chicken, onions, boiled eggs, sweet salad cubes and more.  Perfect for lunch or dinner.  

DISCLOSURE:   This is a sponsored recipe.  I used a favorite ingredient (sweet salad cubes) provided by Mt. Olive Pickles. 

A generous scoop of homemade chicken salad spread on toasted wheat bread, topped with Ritz crackers, makes a nice presentation and a delicious sandwich.

White Meat vs. Dark Meat Chicken

White meat, found in the breasts and wings, contains about 10% red fibers. This part of the chicken is lean and mild in flavor, and dries out easily if overcooked.

Dark meat chicken contains around 50% red fibers and is found in chicken legs, which are more flavorful and juicy, and can be cooked longer.

Source:  Masterclass.com

 

Mt. Olive Sweet Salad Cubes add color and delicious flavor.  The salad cubes are cut larger and are crunchier than sweet relish. 

What’s the difference between sweet relish and sweet salad cubes?

Relish and sweet salad cubes are condiments made with diced cucumbers, diced red bell peppers and other ingredients.

However, their textures are different.  Sweet relish is smooth.  Salad cubes are made with a larger cut than relish, giving them a crunchier texture.

I was delighted to receive several complimentary jars of pickles from the company.  This mention is with great pleasure because I love their sweet salad cubes!

What’s the difference between mayonnaise and Miracle Whip?

Mayonnaise is a delicious combination of fat and water held in suspension by an egg. The egg works like a magnet, bonding the fat from the oil and the liquid from the vinegar (or lemon juice). Unlike salad dressings that separate, the egg makes mayonnaise emulsified, giving it a thick, solid and spreadable consistency.

There are some rules, though.  According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), anything labeled as “mayonnaise” must contain 65% vegetable oil by weight.

What is Miracle Whip?

This brand name of mayonnaise is a completely different product.

Miracle Whip is sweeter and spicier than mayo, which some individuals prefer.   It’s sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup and contains more sugar than most brands of mayonnaise.

When it comes to nutrition, Miracle Whip contains about half the fat and calories as compared to mayonnaise.  Perfect for anyone who counts calories.

SOURCE:  TasteofHome.com

A fab-u-licious bowl of homemade chicken salad served with crispy Ritz crackers.

How To Read & Follow A Recipe

Reading a recipe is an important life skill.  It starts with knowing how to read a recipe’s ingredients, follow the instructions, prep ingredients, and knowing what equipment to use. 

The following tips and strategies will help beginners or experienced cooks  create a delicious dish as intended in the recipe. 

Start with clean hands and organized kitchen.  Wash hands thoroughly.  Make sure kitchen and countertops are clean before making a recipe.

Create a relaxing environment.  Play favorite music while in the kitchen.  I love listening to classical or gospel music. 

Read the recipe.   Don’t just quickly skim it.  Thoroughly read from start to finish.  Visualize doing each step which will help you avoid missing a step.

If you see ingredient that you and your family don’t use for whatever reason, use a substitutions or omit the ingredient.

My recipes are packed with helpful tips like shortcuts and serving sizes which save time time and help with meal planning. 

Pay attention to the order in which ingredients are prepped.  For example, 1 cup of  chopped pecans is not the same as pecans, chopped (measure whole pecans and then chop).  

Know the assumptions.  For example, when my recipe calls for “sugar,” use granulated sugar.  If brown sugar is an ingredient, it will be written as such in the recipe.  

Figure out the timing. Check the listed “prep time” and “total time” to be sure you have enough time to complete the recipe.

Look for hints, such as the words “meanwhile” or “at the same time,” which indicate two or more steps can happen simultaneously.  

For example, my prep time doesn’t include bringing cold butter up to room temperature.  Be sure to include in your timetable.

Watch Recipe Videos.    If you’re a visual learner (like me), watch recipe videos.  Perfect for when you’re learning a new skill or just want to see how a recipe is made.    

Mise en place is a super time saver. This French cooking term translates as “putting in place.”   It means prepping/measuring ingredients and chopping food before you start cooking. It’s the perfect way to get organized and avoid missing an ingredient or missing a step in the instructions.

Organize your tools and kitchen equipment.  Mise en place isn’t just for ingredients.   Before starting, make sure you have parchment paper, aluminum foil, measuring cups, measuring spoons, the right pans, mixing bowls, and other equipment.

Make notes in your recipe. Note any special prep instructions and highlight cooking times.  Make note of ingredients omitted,  favorite substitutions and creative twists.   The notes will be very helpful the next time you make this recipe. 

Enjoy!