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You Say You Don't Like Salad?

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Sit down, relax, and prepare to be sucked into the yummy world of chicken salad!

Okay, so you're probably already sitting down since you're reading this lens, but if not, do, then relax because it's really hard to appreciate my humor if you're uptight and skimming this so fast that you read right over it. Next, hold on tight to your mouse because I'm going to suck you into the world of chicken salad and you may want to find your way home eventually!

This is NOT the bland chicken salad that your momma used to slap onto a couple of slices of plain white bread and toss into a plastic baggie when you were a kid. You remember those baggies that tucked in and didn't zip at the top, right? Well, wipe that from your mind because that has nothing to do with THIS terrific chicken salad! This is a culinary experience the likes of, well, one of those restaurants that you'd actually be willing to spend a Jackson on (that's a twenty in the U. S.) for a salad like this, IF you could even find a restaurant that made a salad this good. Are you ready? Then let's go!

First Things First

Do I Have to C-c-c-ooooooo-k???

Or, How do I turn on the stove?

Guess what fellas? You get to use the G R I L L! That's right! But first things first...yes, this is a recipe lens and it will teach you how to make the most wonderful chicken salad you've EVER tasted, but let's start at the beginning. Usually recipes give you a list of ingredients, so I guess I could give you a hint about what's going to be in this salad.

Let's see, it's around here somewhere. Ahh, yes! I make this salad for myself so this is a salad for ONE ~ if you want it for more, well, you do the math ~ I'm an artist, not a teacher.

chicken ~ one breast works nicely for me, it leaves one for the chicken
lettuce of choice ~ I use two: romaine and mixed field greens
broccoli coleslaw ~ a must! Do NOT leave this out!
assorted veggies of choice ~ tomatoes, mushrooms, cucumbers, etc.
cheeses ~ if you so choose and can tolerate them ~ I use two (cheddar and parmesan)
yummy salad dressing of choice ~ I use Brianna's Chipotle Cheddar which makes this salad what it is ~ spicy!

Okay, are you starting to see why this is the best chicken salad ever? No? Okay, we'll get to that later then. Moving on.

Proceed with Caution ~
Naked Chicken Ahead!

Getting Things Started!

Or, Boy that stuff is slimy!

The first thing you need to do is marinate your chicken in your salad dressing of choice. Please don't be too boring and pick italian. Everyone does it at some point, but it's been overdone. Brianna's makes some lovely choices and they even have an online store! Check it out when you're done reading this lens. If you like something with some snap, I recommend the Chipotle Cheddar! Like anything you marinate, the longer you do it, the better. I'm lucky if I can remember to get mine going a couple of hours ahead of time, so if you can do yours four hours, then you're better than me.

Anyway, I find it best to cut the chicken into strips, removing as much fat as possible (even if you buy the skinless breasts, they still have fat! ewww!) and then coat both sides with a generous amount of the dressing. See the lovely polaroid below.

This is the marinating chicken breast.

Come on Baby Light My Fire!

Now for the Cooking!

Or, You did say the grill, right?

After you can't stand to wait any longer, or you're ready to eat, get out the George Foreman Grill (or if you must, a pan and some non-stick cooking spray) and plug that baby in to the wall. Yep, that's what I said! Or if you're a real man and it's not arctic weather outside, go fire up the outdoor grill and get ready to cook! Now, the second the grill/pan/whatever is ready, throw the chicken on and cook it for a few minutes (max!) and then immediately remove it before you char it to death. Cut up chicken cooks FAST and you don't want chicken leather to eat. Next, cut it into bite-sized morsels and set it aside.

If you're fast or if you want to prepare your vegetables ahead of time you can do so, if not, you can prepare them after your chicken is finished so it will have time to cool down a touch. Use whatever suits your taste. I left out broccoli and carrots because they're in the broccoli slaw which is much easier to use.

Poised and Ready!

They Say Layers are BACK!

The Home Stretch...

Or, Is it time to eat yet?

Layers, layers, layers and they're not just for hair or clothes in inclement weather anymore! That's right, folks, they're for salad, too!

Ready, set, layer!

A soft bed of romaine (or your choice of fluffy stuff)
Another soft bed of mixed field greens (I always have to tear mine up into bite sized pieces)
Now comes the broccoli slaw (Don't leave this out!) I use a fairly thick layer because I love it, but you use what you want.
Next are the veggies of your choice and the cheese (I use cubed cheddar on mine in this step.)
Next add the delicious chicken and the second cheese if you choose (I use grated parmesan for this step.)

Proceed to last step!

Wait for it . . . !

The Final Step!

Or, Ready, set, EAT!

The last thing you need to do is drizzle the same type of salad dressing you used to marinate the chicken, all over the top of the salad. I didn't say this was low calorie, did I? No, I don't remember mentioning that, just that it tasted really good! If you used a low-cal dressing, well lucky you for a bonus ~ one less workout day.

Voila ~ You're done! Now, doesn't it look delicious??? It is!! Trust me! So why are you still looking at it ~ dig in!!!

The Finished Product!

The Best Chicken Salad Ever?

Or, Why again?

So, why do I claim that this is the best chicken salad ever? Well, because you get to make it with your favorite ingredients and your favorite salad dressing but you use my secret ingredient, as well...broccoli slaw!

I hope that you learned a new trick for salads and that you will try this recipe out on your unsuspecting family (especially those kids who think broccoli is gross) or at least for yourself as a treat sometime. It really is addicting!

Put Your Truth Where Your Mouth Is!

be honest now!

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What Say You?

Did I convince you to try this salad?

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elynmac Feb 11, 2012 @ 6:09 pm | delete

I don't have a good stomach when I eat chicken, but I am contemplating trying pork chop (that other white meat!) salad... We don't have broccoli slaw overseas. But maybe I will add something else... I make a chicken salad for my family that focuses on dill, preferably fresh, walnuts and raising in a white dressing. It's not bad either (but I can't eat it. I save some of the sauce for vegetables).

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ScrollSawChuck Feb 8, 2012 @ 5:45 pm | delete

Salad is the main dish!

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goo2eyes Feb 6, 2012 @ 11:24 am | delete

yes, i will try it. we had a costume ball party last saturday and all i want to eat now is salad to take the extra pounds i gained while raiding the buffet table. i think chicken is lean if it is naked (no skin). blessings for this yummylicious lens.

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JaguarJulie Jan 18, 2012 @ 11:39 am | delete

Well, it sure looks delicious ... and it is lunch time!

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Sylvestermouse Jan 6, 2012 @ 3:29 pm | delete

I enjoyed you humor and presentation in this article. I guess I will be making a chicken salad soon :)
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