Festive Chicken Salad Recipes

HOLIDAY CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together mayonnaise with paprika and seasoned salt. Blend in dried cranberries, celery, bell pepper, onion, and nuts. Add chopped chicken, and mix well. Season with black pepper to taste. Chill 1 hour.

FESTIVE CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Drain pineapple, reserving 1/4 cup of liquid.
• Combine reserved pineapple liquid and cream cheese, mixing until well blended.
• Add pineapple, chicken, water chestnuts, celery, 1/4 cup of almonds(walnuts and pecans will work also), onions, salt and pepper to cream cheese mixture; mix lightly.
• Chill at least one hour but overnight is best.
• To serve place in tomatoes, lettuce cups, or large cooked pasta shells. Prep time does not include time to chill.

BIG FESTIVE SALAD

Steps:

• For the candied nuts: In a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, toast the pistachios and hazelnuts until fragrant, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the brown sugar, salt, vanilla and 1 tablespoon water directly to the pan with the nuts and stir to coat them. Cook until the sugar has dissolved, about 1 additional minute. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and allow to cool, 12 to 15 minutes.
• For the dressing: Combine the olive oil, vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, salt and pepper in a mason jar. Secure the lid and shake to combine. Set aside.
• For the salad: Spread the arugula, kale and spinach over a large round platter, leaving space in the center of the platter (it should look like a holiday wreath). Top the greens with the radicchio. Arrange the mandarin segments over the greens. Sprinkle with the pomegranate seeds, cranberries, blueberries and cooled candied nuts.
• Lastly, sprinkle with the Parmesan, creating the look of snow. Shake the dressing one more time and pour it into a serving bowl. Place the bowl in the center of the platter and serve.

FESTIVE CHICKEN SALAD LOG

Steps:

• Mix cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, ginger, pepper, and pepper sauce. Stir in chicken, eggs, and onions.
• Shape into log (8 by 2 inches) and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, about 4 hours.
• Cut green pepper rings to make strips. Place strips diagonally across log, dividing log into 4 sections (fourths). Sprinkle sesame seed on 1 section, repeat with 3 tablespoons onion, the olives, and pimento on remaining sections. Serve with crackers.

FESTIVE SALAD WITH CHICKEN AND FRUIT

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F.
• Toss bread cubes with 1/4 cup dressing; spread in single layer on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 6 to 10 min. or until golden brown; cool.
• Toss greens with chicken, pineapple, apples and remaining dressing in large bowl. Add bread cubes; mix lightly. Sprinkle with cheese.
• Serve immediately.

FESTIVE CHICKEN AND FRUIT SALAD

Steps:

• For Dressing: Combine all ingredients and blend. For Salad: Steam chicken for 1 hour or until tender, being careful not to let it boil. Cool. Remove skin. Bone and cut into large bite-sized pieces. Place in a medium-size mixing bowl and add celery, grapes, and orange sections. Chill. Pour Dressing over chicken and fruit; toss to coat. Cover. Chill for several hours to allow flavors to blend. Serve on lettuce cups. Sprinkle with almonds. Can be garnished with extra grapes and orange sections. Fun Fact: Drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776 became the defining event in Thomas Jefferson's life. The Continental Congress appointed him the task of producing a draft document for its consideration. Jefferson wrote a stunning statement of the colonists' right to rebel against the British government and establish their own government based on the premise that all men are created equal and have the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.