You Say You Don't Like Salad

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 23 people | Log in to rate

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Sit down, relax, and prepare to be sucked into the 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 to your mouse because I'm going to suck you into the world of chicken salad! Not the chicken salad that your momma used to slap onto a couple of slices of bread and toss into a plastic baggie either. No! This is a culinary experience the likes of, well, one of those restaurants that you'd spend a Jackson on (that's a twenty in the U. S.) for a salad like this and a drink, and I'm talking non-alcoholic drink here. 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 Abound!

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 Forman 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, 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!

  1. A soft bed of romaine (or your choice of fluffy stuff)
  2. Another soft bed of mixed field greens (I always have to tear mine up into bite sized pieces)
  3. 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.
  4. Next are the veggies of your choice and the cheese (I use cubed cheddar on mine in this step.)
  5. 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 salad dressing you used when you marinated 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!

Voila ~ You're done! Now, doesn't it look delicious??? It is!! Trust me! So what are you waiting for ~ 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, mainly because you get to do 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 or at least for yourself as a treat sometime. It really is addicting!

New Did you know? Random Facts 

Cooking Stuff from Amazon! 

In case the cooking bug bites you!

Joy of Cooking: 75th Anniversary Edition - 2006

Joy of Cooking: 75th Anniversary Edition - 2006

by: Irma S. Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becker, Ethan Becker

An oldie but a goodie! My grandmother used this book and probably even my great-grandmother!

Amazon Price: $23.10 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $35.00
Used Price: $17.99

Healthy Cooking for Two (or Just You): Low-Fat Recipes with Half the Fuss and Double the Taste

Healthy Cooking for Two (or Just You): Low-Fat Recipes with Half the Fuss and Double the Taste

by: Frances Price

When it's just the two of you and you want to eat healthy!

Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $18.95
Used Price: $5.23

On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen

On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen

by: Harold McGee

The author explains the nature of digestion and hunger before tackling basic ingredient components, cooking methods and utensils. He explains what happens when food spoils, why eggs are so nutritious and how alcohol makes us drunk and other fun things!

Amazon Price: $26.40 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now
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Everyday Italian: 125 Simple and Delicious Recipes

Everyday Italian: 125 Simple and Delicious Recipes

by: Giada De Laurentiis

Everyone loves Italian, right?

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Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone

Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone

by: Deborah Madison

And for the real heath nuts out there, a little vegetarian cooking!

Amazon Price: $26.40 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now
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More Cooking Stuff 

One last borrowed recommendation!

Chicken Salad: 50 Favorite Recipes

Chicken Salad: 50 Favorite Recipes

by: Barbara Lauterbach

And for even more chicken salad recipes ~ just incase you want second best! *wink*

Amazon Price: $17.05 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $18.95
Used Price: $4.09

What Say You? 

Did I convince you to try this salad?

Lensmaster

rydigga wrote...

Great lens. Chicken salad is one of my faves. Marination is the key :)

Ryan

ReplyPosted April 23, 2009

Lensmaster

spirituality wrote...

Great lens - you've been blessed by a squidoo angel :)

ReplyPosted April 17, 2009

Lensmaster

angelspiritme wrote

yum! I might just have to give this a try. Looks really delicious. Thanks for sharing and for coming to the photo foodie.
Nancy...angelspiritme

Reply Posted February 18, 2009

Lensmaster

d-artist wrote...

I loooove salads but only like them better when someone else makes them, this one looks delicious...5*

ReplyPosted January 24, 2009

Lensmaster

poutine wrote...

At our home, we love chicken salad, we'll try this recipe.

ReplyPosted November 29, 2008

Lensmaster

JaguarJulie wrote...

Yum, that finished product looks mighty tasty! 5*****

ReplyPosted September 09, 2008

Lensmaster

Wbisbill wrote...

Great lens. 5 stars from a fan. I'm featuring your lens on my chicken salad lens!

http://www.squidoo.com/easy-chicken-salad-recipe

ReplyPosted August 07, 2008

Lensmaster

Tiddledeewinks wrote...

I'm MOSTLY vegetarian, so I'd substitute the chicken for the Fri-Chic you can find on my lens of meat substitutes> HealthyMeatSubstitues.

ReplyPosted July 28, 2008

Lensmaster

farmgirl wrote...

Can't wait to try it! Looks delish!

ReplyPosted July 16, 2008

Lensmaster

Pastiche wrote...

YUM! My faves, chicken and salad - 5*s!

ReplyPosted July 09, 2008

 
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