Best 3 Not Your Mamas Chicken Salad Recipes

Craving a chicken salad that breaks away from the classic mayonnaise-based recipe? Look no further! Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure as we explore a collection of innovative and flavorful chicken salad recipes that will tantalize your taste buds. These recipes are a delightful blend of textures and flavors, featuring a variety of ingredients that go beyond the traditional celery and onion. From tangy and sweet to nutty and savory, we have curated a selection that promises to elevate your lunch breaks, picnics, and potlucks. Say goodbye to boring chicken salad and embrace the bold, unexpected, and downright delicious.

Let's cook with our recipes!

NOT YOUR MAMA'S CHICKEN SALAD

Not Your Mama's Chicken Salad image

I used to get this to-die-for chicken salad at a local deli when I nannied in Chicago. I've since been scouring the net for anything that even RESEMBLES it. Eventually I just gave up and called the deli, begging for the recipe, and they did give it to me. Especially for those "what to cook, it's too damn hot" nights when you're looking for something to make for dinner. Cooking time includes marinating and chilling. Thank you, "Don's Finer Foods" of Lake Bluff, IL!

Provided by Parrot Head Mama

Categories Lunch/Snacks

Time 5h20m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 -3 cups red seedless grapes, halved
1 cup sliced almonds, toasted
fresh parsley, to taste
3/4 cup mayonnaise (NOT Miracle Whip or any other salad dressing)
1 cup plain yogurt
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon lemon & herb seasoning (I wandered the spice aisle in the grocery store, and there IS such a thing)
1 teaspoon honey (I did half and half) or 1 teaspoon sugar (I did half and half)

Steps:

FIRST: Prepare herb dressing.
Using a hand mixer, beat yogurt and sour cream together well.
Stir in remaining ingredients.
Thaw skinless/boneless breasts, if necessary.
Put them in a large, sealable container with 1/3 of the dressing and marinate in the fridge for a few hours.
Cook on hot grill, but be careful to not OVERCOOK, otherwise all you'll be able to taste is the charred chicken.
Cool and cut into bite sized pieces.
Toss with grapes, almonds, parsley, mayo and remaining herb dressing (amount of dressing varies to your desired consistency).
Chill.
Serve alone or on bed of greens with nice, crusty bread and a tall glass of iced tea or lemonade.
YUMMY.

NO-MAYO CHICKEN SALAD

No-Mayo Chicken Salad image

You won't even miss the mayonnaise in this classic chicken salad! I like to serve this on a bed of lettuce with a side of sliced tomato for a healthy lunch.

Provided by Kim's Cooking Now

Categories Salad

Time 1h10m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

3 tablespoons sour cream
½ tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons cream cheese, softened
¼ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon pepper
⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
2 cups diced rotisserie chicken meat
¼ cup finely chopped celery
2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion

Steps:

Combine sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, cream cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a bowl; whisk until smooth. Add chicken, celery, and red onion and mix thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour to let flavors blend.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 38 calories, Carbohydrate 1.9 g, Cholesterol 7.4 mg, Fat 3.1 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 0.7 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 227.2 mg, Sugar 0.4 g

NOT YOUR MAMA'S PASTA SALAD

Not Your Mama's Pasta Salad image

This is not your typical pasta salad, ergo the name I gave it. LOL My cousin brought this to a get together once and I was blown away. I have tweaked it some to my taste. For instance, she added garbanzo beans. I hate garbanzos so I omitted them. Don't be afraid to add things you love and drop others. You truly can't mess it up! Enjoy! Note: Photo borrowed from internet. It doesn't show all the ingredients I use, but it's as close as I could find. I'll add a photo of my own next time I make it.

Provided by Christine Whisenhunt @cwhisenhunt

Categories Pasta Sides

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

2 package(s) rotini pasta, i like the tri color one
1 - each red, green, yellow, and orange bell peppers
1 large red onion, sliced thin
1 can(s) black olives
2 cup(s) green olives
1 large cucumber, sliced
1 package(s) cherry tomatoes, halved
1 pound(s) pre-sliced hard salami, cut into bite size pieces
1 pound(s) mozzarella or provolone, cubed (i prefer mozzarella)
1 small jars pepperoncini peppers, drained (whole or sliced)
2 small jars artichoke hearts, sliced in half lengthwise
1-2 bottle(s) italian dressing

Steps:

Cook pasta. Rinse in cold water to cool. Drain well.
In a very large bowl, mix all ingredients together. Add dressing. If you are not serving until the next day, I recommend withholding the tomatoes, cucumber and cheese until shortly before serving, to prevent them from getting too soft or mushy. As this sits, especially if you prepare it the night before, you will find it soaks up the dressing and you will need to add more. Start with one bottle of dressing and go from there. You want it coated well, but not sitting in a pool of dressing.
Note: I believe my cousin used kalamata olives. I like them ok, but I love green olives, so I use green olives in their place. Experiment with the varieties you love! Enjoy! P.S. If you want a healthier version, omit the salami and/or use chopped chicken breast.

Tips:

To ensure your chicken salad is moist and flavorful, use a combination of cooked chicken breast and thigh meat.
For a creamy and tangy dressing, use a mixture of mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, and Dijon mustard.
Add texture and crunch to your chicken salad with a variety of add-ins, such as celery, red onion, grapes, walnuts, and almonds.
Season your chicken salad to taste with salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices, such as paprika, garlic powder, or onion powder.
For a lighter chicken salad, use low-fat mayonnaise or Greek yogurt and omit the nuts.
Serve your chicken salad on a bed of lettuce, in a sandwich, or on crackers.

Conclusion:

With its endless variations and customizable ingredients, chicken salad is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you prefer a classic recipe or something more adventurous, there's a chicken salad recipe out there to suit your taste. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy lunch or dinner option, give one of these chicken salad recipes a try. You won't be disappointed!