Best 6 California Chicken Salad Recipes

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California chicken salad is a light, refreshing, and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner. It is made with cooked chicken, mayonnaise, celery, onion, grapes, and walnuts. There are many different variations of this salad, so you can find one that suits your taste. Some popular additions include avocado, bacon, and hard-boiled eggs. California chicken salad can be served on a bed of lettuce, in a sandwich, or on a croissant. It is also a great option for a picnic or potluck.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

MOROCCAN CHICKEN SALAD (CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN COPYCAT)



Moroccan Chicken Salad (California Pizza Kitchen Copycat) image

Had this last week at CPK and just had to figure out how to make it. I think this is pretty close! It's delicious nevertheless.

Provided by hotdishmama

Categories     Vegetable

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/2 cup butternut squash, diced
1 (8 ounce) can beets, diced
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 hard-boiled egg, diced
1 avocado, diced
2 carrots, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup dates or 1/4 cup dried apricot, chopped
1 head romaine lettuce, sliced
1/4 cup girard's champagne dressing
1/4 cup roasted almonds
3 boneless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon olive oil

Steps:

  • To make the spiced chicken: combine coriander and cinnamon with olive oil to make a paste. Spread on chicken breasts with a bbq brush or fingers; cook chicken in pan or grill (I used my Foreman grill and it worked well) until fully cooked. Let chicken cool and slice.
  • While chicken is cooking, roast diced squash in a 400 degree oven for about ten minutes (I used my toaster oven).
  • Toss all other ingredients together with the champagne dressing to taste. Top with sliced chicken & almonds.

CALIFORNIA CHICKEN BLT SALAD



California Chicken BLT Salad image

Savor BLTs pasta-salad style, with California avocados tossed in, too.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Lunch

Time 1h25m

Yield 7

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 box Betty Crocker™ Suddenly Salad™ ranch & bacon pasta salad mix
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 cups cut-up cooked chicken
1 large tomato, cut into wedges
1 avocado, pitted, peeled and cut into wedges
1 bag (12oz) ready-to-eat American blend salad greens (iceberg lettuce, romaine, red cabbage, carrots and radishes)

Steps:

  • Cook pasta as directed on box.
  • Drain pasta; rinse with cold water. Shake to drain well.
  • In large bowl, stir together seasoning (from Suddenly Salad™ box) and mayonnaise. Stir in drained pasta and remaining ingredients. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving. Cover and refrigerate any remaining salad.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 340, Carbohydrate 26 g, Cholesterol 40 mg, Fat 2 1/2, Fiber 3 g, Protein 18 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, ServingSize 1 1/2 Cups, Sodium 380 mg, Sugar 3 g, TransFat 0 g

CALIFORNIA CHICKEN SALAD



California Chicken Salad image

All the fruit in this salad gives it a natural sweetness. I use whole wheat pasta for added fiber. Since I purchase cooked chicken breast at the store, I only have to cook the pasta for a healthy, delectable dinner. With minimal cooking this is great for the summer. -Regina Reynolds, Struthers, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 14 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 cups uncooked whole wheat spiral pasta
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
4-1/2 teaspoons 2% milk
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
1 large tart apple, chopped
1 cup green grapes, halved
1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple tidbits
1/3 cup mandarin oranges
1 celery rib, finely chopped
14 Boston or Bibb lettuce leaves

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain pasta and rinse in cold water., In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper. Stir in the chicken, apple, grapes, pineapple, oranges, celery and cooked pasta. Chill until serving., Spoon 1/2 cup onto each lettuce leaf.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 127 calories, Fat 5g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 20mg cholesterol, Sodium 209mg sodium, Carbohydrate 13g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

CALIFORNIA CHICKEN SALAD



California Chicken Salad image

A great way to recycle leftover chicken into something new and wonderful. Turkey would work equally well in this creamy salad. Try this over mixed greens or on croissants for a wonderful lunch. From the Western chapter of the United States Regional Cookbook, Culinary Arts Institute of Chicago, 1947.

Provided by Molly53

Categories     Chicken

Time 15m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 tablespoon lemon juice, fresh is best
1 cup cooked chicken, diced
1/2 cup apple, finely diced
1/2 cup black olives, chopped
1/2 cup celery, diced
2 tablespoons mayonnaise (use a good quality, such as Hellmanns)
2 tablespoons cream (either sweet or sour)

Steps:

  • Sprinkle lemon juice over chicken and apple, mixing lightly.
  • Combine remaining ingredients, suing only enough mayonnaise to moisten well.
  • Add chicken/apple mixture and toss together lightly.
  • Serve very cold, dressed with mayonnaise.

CALIFORNIA CHICKEN SALAD



California Chicken Salad image

Provided by Jennifer Iserloh

Categories     Salad     Chicken     Onion     Picnic     Lunch     Bacon     Asparagus     Corn     Spring     Summer     Healthy     Self     Diabetes-Friendly

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

Dressing:
6 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 tablespoon rice wine (or apple cider) vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
Salad:
3 boneless, skinless whole chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon sweet chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Vegetable oil cooking spray
1 teaspoon olive oil
3 ears of corn, husked
1/2 pound asparagus stalks (about 10), ends trimmed, cut into thirds
3 plum tomatoes, diced
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons pine nuts
3 slices turkey bacon, cooked as directed on package, chopped

Steps:

  • Combine all dressing ingredients in a blender. Sprinkle chicken with garlic and chili powders, salt and pepper. Coat a large skillet with cooking spray. Heat skillet over high heat and add oil. When oil is hot, add chicken. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook for 6 minutes per side, turning halfway through. Reduce heat to low and cover. Cook until chicken is no longer pink inside, 2 to 3 minutes. Cool chicken and slice thinly. Boil corn in a medium saucepan 5 minutes; cool, then cut kernels off cob; place in a bowl. Steam asparagus in 1 inch boiling water 3 minutes; drain and cool 1 minute. Add to bowl along with remaining vegetables. Heat a dry pan over medium heat. Add pine nuts. Cook, stirring often, until toasted, about 6 minutes. Place salad on a platter; top with chicken, bacon, pine nuts and dressing.

CALIFORNIA CHICKEN SALAD



CALIFORNIA CHICKEN SALAD image

Categories     Salad     Chicken     Quick & Easy     Dinner     Healthy

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 20

Dressing
6 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon rice wine (or apple cider) vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
Salad
3 boneless, skinless whole chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon sweet chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Vegetable oil cooking spray
1 teaspoon olive oil
3 ears of corn, husked
1/2 pound asparagus stalks (about 10), ends trimmed, cut into thirds
3 plum tomatoes, diced
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons pine nuts
3 slices turkey bacon, cooked as directed on package, chopped

Steps:

  • For dressing Combine all dressing ingredients in a blender. For salad Sprinkle chicken with garlic and chili powders, salt and pepper. Coat a large skillet with cooking spray. Heat skillet over high heat and add oil. When oil is hot, add chicken. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook for 6 minutes per side, turning halfway through. Reduce heat to low and cover. Cook until chicken is no longer pink inside, 2 to 3 minutes. Cool chicken and slice thinly. Boil corn in a medium saucepan 5 minutes; cool, then cut kernels off cob; place in a bowl. Steam asparagus in 1 inch boiling water 3 minutes; drain and cool 1 minute. Add to bowl along with remaining vegetables. Heat a dry pan over medium heat. Add pine nuts. Cook, stirring often, until toasted, about 6 minutes. Place salad on a platter; top with chicken, bacon, pine nuts and dressing.

Tips:

  • Use rotisserie chicken for convenience: Rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver for this recipe. It's already cooked and seasoned, so you can skip the step of boiling or poaching chicken breasts.
  • Choose your mayonnaise wisely: The mayonnaise you use will have a big impact on the flavor of your chicken salad. Use a good-quality mayonnaise that you enjoy the taste of.
  • Add some crunch: Celery and walnuts add crunch and texture to this chicken salad. If you don't have celery or walnuts on hand, you can substitute other crunchy vegetables or nuts, such as carrots, almonds, or pecans.
  • Make it your own: This chicken salad recipe is easily customizable. Feel free to add or omit ingredients to suit your own taste. For example, you could add diced red onion, chopped hard-boiled eggs, or dried cranberries.
  • Chill before serving: Chicken salad is best served chilled. This allows the flavors to meld and the salad to firm up. If you're short on time, you can chill the chicken salad for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Conclusion:

California chicken salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. It's perfect for a light lunch or dinner, and it's also great for picnics, potlucks, and other gatherings. With its creamy, tangy, and crunchy texture, California chicken salad is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.

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