With the weather warming up, people are leaning less towards comforting soups and casseroles, and more toward light meals that won’t weigh them down. When you’re in the heat, cool and refreshing meals like wraps or sandwiches can be satisfying without making you feel sluggish. Luckily, chicken salad is a versatile filling that works perfectly for those meals and even more.
Most people have encountered a version of chicken salad at least once. While not everyone may like the same types of chicken salad, there are plenty of varieties to choose from. So, whether you’re hanging by the pool or just looking for a light, refreshing Summer lunch for work, here are five different chicken salad recipes that won’t weigh you down this Summer.
Traditional chicken salad
Contrary to popular belief, not all chicken salad involves fruit. If you thought you hated chicken salad because of dried fruit, you’re in luck, as at its core, a simple chicken salad can be very savory.
While recipes may vary, the main ingredients in most traditional chicken salads include chicken, mayonnaise, celery, herbs, and spices. This makes for a very light, fresh, and simple chicken salad.
Of course, if you like fruit or more crunch, feel free to add raisins, walnuts, or even slivered almonds. However, they’re not necessary, and without them, you will still have a classic filling for wraps, sandwiches, or even leafy green salads.
Waldorf chicken salad
While it is not the same as traditional chicken salad, Waldorf is often the version most people are familiar with. This recipe is simple but leans a little sweeter thanks to the many additions in the salad mix.
To make a Waldorf Chicken Salad, combine chicken, chopped apples, halved seedless grapes, celery, walnuts, mayonnaise, and spices. When it comes to both the apples and grapes, red varieties are the most frequently used. However, feel free to alter this to your preference.
Pesto chicken salad
When most people think of pesto, they probably think of it in association with pasta. However, pesto sauce is actually quite versatile and pairs exceptionally well with chicken.
Like every other salad on this list, the main ingredient is chicken. To the chicken, add pesto sauce. Whether you prefer store-bought or homemade is a matter of preference, as both work. This recipe can be boosted with add-ins like pine nuts, celery, or onion if you're looking to add a classic chicken salad crunch.
Curry chicken salad
If you love the taste of curry spice but don’t always have the time to let a full-blown curry simmer, this chicken salad can be a great way to quell that craving. It takes the flavor of curry but lightens it up to create a refreshing afternoon lunch.
The main ingredient in this chicken salad is curry powder, and a lot of it. While everyone's spice preferences are different, taste this salad as you go to ensure you're getting the desired amount of curry flavor.
Combine diced chicken breast, plain yogurt, celery, red onion, lemon juice, salt, and pepper with curry powder. If you want to add a sweet note to this chicken salad, a handful of golden raisins makes a beautiful addition to this recipe.
Asian chicken salad
When it comes to freshness, Asian chicken salad is one of the best ones, thanks to how vegetable-forward it is. They add a much-needed crispy, crunchy element that helps fortify this chicken salad without making it too heavy.
Unlike many other salads on this list, the creamy sauce that binds this recipe together is not mayonnaise or yogurt-based. Instead, to make the sauce, mix soy sauce, peanut butter, and rice wine vinegar, and blend for a smooth consistency. If you do not like peanuts, you can also substitute this sauce for your favorite store-bought ginger or asian dressing.
Once you have the right sauce, you are ready for assembly. To create Asian chicken salad, combine shredded chicken breast, cabbage, shredded carrots, edamame, cilantro, and green onions with your sauce of choice. For an extra crunch, try adding toasted sesame seeds or crunchy chow mein noodles on top.
With so much versatility, chicken salad is the kind of meal that can easily be thrown together in a pinch or saved as leftovers for several days. It's an easily customizable meal that can be made healthy, crunchy, light, or sweet depending on what you're looking for. While not everyone may like their chicken salads the same way, with so many options, there's undoubtedly a version that will fit your preferences this Summer.