Thursday, February 26, 2009

2/27 Foodie Friday – Chicken Salad

Foodie Friday Logo 2 Gollum at Designs by Gollum is the hostess for “Foodie Friday” (clicking on the logo on the right will take you to her site)

Today I am sharing my chicken salad recipe. I don’t think I have ever made chicken salad the exact same twice! 

FOSSSE01

I start with the basic ingredients:

  • 1/2  cup  light or regular mayonnaise
  • 1/2  cup  light or regular sour cream
  • 1  tablespoon  fresh lemon juice
  • 1  teaspoon  salt
  • 1/2  teaspoon  pepper
  • 2  pounds  chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
  • 3  cups  red and white seedless grapes, halved
  • 1  cup  chopped pecans, toasted
  • Lettuce leaves (optional)

Stir together first five ingredients in a large bowl. Add chopped chicken and grapes, tossing gently to coat. Cover and chill at least 1 hour. Stir in pecans just before serving.

Variations (other stuff that often gets tossed in):

  • Chopped green onion
  • raisins or dried cranberries (instead of grapes)
  • walnuts or cashews (instead of pecans)
  • celery
  • sweet relish
  • instead of salt and pepper, any combination of seasoned salt, onion salt/powder, garlic salt/powder (whatever I each in and grab out of my spice drawer)

What is in you favorite chicken salad? I recently found an apricot chicken salad I want to try (I’ll let you know after I try it)

Thanks for visiting my blog. Visit Gollum at Designs by Gollum for more “Foodie Friday” participants.

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54 comments:

  1. SueFebruary 26, 2009 at 8:27 PM

    Hi Susan,
    This recipe looks delicious, I really like your presentation!!! Thank you for sharing,
    Sue

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  2. Linda (Nina's Nest)February 26, 2009 at 8:32 PM

    That sounds like a classic. I will definitely need to write that down. Linda

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  3. Jewel SaulsFebruary 26, 2009 at 8:39 PM

    Sounds great and is so beautiful! Love how you have photographed it in a goblet! :D Jewel

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  4. The Quintessential MagpieFebruary 26, 2009 at 8:58 PM

    Apricot chicken salad sounds divine, Susan! I like chutney chicken salad. There's a great recipe in a Jr. League cookbook that has about a jillion calories, but who's counting? ;-)

    Your photograph is gorgeous, and I love the sherbert glass container. Lovely presentation...

    Happy FF!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  5. TracyFebruary 26, 2009 at 9:10 PM

    Oh my, I just love it with grapes and pecans, that is the BEST combination. I will have to try your version, it sounds absolutely wonderful.

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  6. LorriFebruary 26, 2009 at 9:13 PM

    This sounds wonderful. I will have to try it. I use purple grapes and pecans with mine and serve on a croissant.
    Lorri

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  7. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeFebruary 26, 2009 at 9:15 PM

    Your recipe sounds wonderful. I love chicken salad and yours looks so pretty served in the sherbert glass. Just gorgeous and yummy. Hugs, Marty

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  8. Blog StalkerFebruary 26, 2009 at 9:23 PM

    I will have to make sure I visit every friday for sure. Great looking chicken salad!

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  9. Blondie's JournalFebruary 26, 2009 at 9:29 PM

    Susan,

    This looks yummy just the way it is,but it's nice that you added ides for variation also.

    Beautiful picture, love the garnish!

    xoxo
    Janie

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  10. Terrie's Lil' Piece of SerenityFebruary 26, 2009 at 9:30 PM

    Yummy, I love Chicken Salad.

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  11. KatFebruary 26, 2009 at 9:33 PM

    Hi Susan, this is exactly the chicken salad I usually make. I do have a variation that uses dill, onion and garlic powder, along with a bit of celery and whatever nuts I have on hand. It's very good, but DH prefers the grapes! Kathy

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  12. Lady KatherineFebruary 26, 2009 at 9:37 PM

    Not only do I love chicken salad, yours looks so great in the dish and grapes and crackers, just makes you want to pull it off the screen and eat! lol

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  13. SmilingSallyFebruary 26, 2009 at 9:48 PM

    I dearly love chicken salad with grapes!

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  14. Susan @ The Good Life!February 26, 2009 at 9:53 PM

    I am definitely going to try chicken salad with grapes! Thank you for the idea!

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  15. StaceyFebruary 26, 2009 at 10:02 PM

    Oh I love chicken salad. Nobody else in my house will eat it. I always try to make it when girlfriends come for a visit.

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  16. Southern LadyFebruary 26, 2009 at 10:18 PM

    Your title “A Southern Daydreamer” caught my eye. I like your ante-bellum dinning room picture. We have never tried so many variations of chicken salad. Perhaps I’ll have to some time.

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  17. Terri SteffesFebruary 26, 2009 at 10:28 PM

    My friend makes a hot chicken salad that has almond slices and chow mein noodles. Mmmm.

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  18. AnonymousFebruary 26, 2009 at 10:29 PM

    Good evening Susan. Your chicken salad looks very good! I love your presentation!!

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  19. Kathy's Red Door WelcomeFebruary 26, 2009 at 10:35 PM

    I love chicken salad. This looks like a winner.

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  20. UnknownFebruary 26, 2009 at 10:39 PM

    Susan this is the same salad I used to order in a little restaurant in Long Beach, Mississippi. The little cottage no longer exists as it was victim of Katrina. I don't know what was in their recipe but yours is close enough. I loved the grapes and walnuts mixed with the chicken and mayo, maybe there was mustard or dill, not sure. Anyway, this one will go on my menu. Thanks for sharing.

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  21. Four Paws and CoFebruary 26, 2009 at 10:46 PM

    Susan, This is beautiful & looks so delicious! ♥ Diane

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  22. FoleyFebruary 26, 2009 at 10:52 PM

    All of your fixings sound wonderful...only way to top it off would be serving it in a tomato basil wrap!! You have ingredients I wouldn't have thought of..definitely a copy & paste for me!!

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  23. xinexFebruary 26, 2009 at 10:53 PM

    Hi Susan! This looks really good and the presentation is very attractive...Christine

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  24. a quiet lifeFebruary 26, 2009 at 11:04 PM

    i love chicken salad too, any which way is fine, but grapes are a very fav. love your serving piece, very elegant!

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  25. susanFebruary 26, 2009 at 11:09 PM

    Chicken salad always makes me think of graduation and bridal luncheons...and sitting by the pool, and picnics and just about everything! LOL

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  26. imjacobsmomFebruary 27, 2009 at 12:13 AM

    What a beautiful presentation for such a delicious salad. ~ Robyn

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  27. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2009 at 12:28 AM

    I love chicken salad and usually add salt, pepper, sweet relish, mustard, celery, and Miracle Whip. I have seen it done in so many different ways and I love them all. Serving it in a goblet makes a beautiful presentation but my dh loves his in a kaiser bun. He's pretty basic and just doesn't appreciate the pretty details but I do. :>)

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  28. Mari @ Once Upon a PlateFebruary 27, 2009 at 12:36 AM

    Susan, what a beautiful presentation, and just the way I like my chicken salad! Chunked, not shredded ~ good job. :)

    Thank you for stopping by my blog.

    You know I love yours! Always such a pleasure to visit with you. xo~m.

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  29. My name is RietFebruary 27, 2009 at 2:54 AM

    Your salad looks delicious and it sounds like it too. I will definitely make one your way. Thank you for sharing

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  30. ♥ KathyFebruary 27, 2009 at 6:50 AM

    MMMMM Yummy Susan!

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  31. KrisFebruary 27, 2009 at 7:22 AM

    Hi Susan, Love your chicken recipe. I've made a similar one, but substituted the pecans with sunflower seeds. It's nummm nummmy.

    Have a happy day

    Kris

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  32. ChandyFebruary 27, 2009 at 8:48 AM

    Susan, nothing better than a chicken salad inside a boston leaf and crystal! (mwah!) So yummy looking. I think I'll surprise the dh with that soon. Thanks for the yummy reminder!

    Carolyn of What Now? Tablescapes

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  33. BoFebruary 27, 2009 at 9:13 AM

    Hi Susan...it's been a while since I've made chicken salad...looking at your easy, delicious recipe tells me it's about time to do it again...Thanks! ;-) Bo

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  34. HelenFebruary 27, 2009 at 11:02 AM

    Mmmmm good, mmmmmm good! Perfect for a late winter/early spring day!

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  35. Glenda/MidSouthFebruary 27, 2009 at 11:17 AM

    Looks so good. I love chicken salad made with grapes and pecans.
    Glenda

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  36. Bargain Decorating with LaurieFebruary 27, 2009 at 11:51 AM

    That sounds so good, and I love your presentation of it. laurie

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  37. CathyFebruary 27, 2009 at 12:22 PM

    Pecans and grapes in a chicken salad. Yum, yum. I would never get tired of your version although some of the other ingredients sound good too. What a nice summer dish.

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  38. KristenFebruary 27, 2009 at 12:29 PM

    Looks absolutely delicious! This would make a lovely picnic :)

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  39. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2009 at 12:45 PM

    MOrning, Susan! I love chicken salad and yours sound delicious!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  40. A Grain of SaltFebruary 27, 2009 at 1:13 PM

    Your chicken salad is a great addition to the pot luck. Right, never made quite the same twice. I prefer pecans and dried cranberries. Happy Friday!

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  41. KathleenFebruary 27, 2009 at 1:53 PM

    I love it too, and make it differently each time too..well, it does always have chicken, LOL..
    Beautiful, Susan!

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  42. Melissa MillerFebruary 27, 2009 at 3:28 PM

    I love all chicken salad recipes. This one sounds great Susan.
    Thanks for sharing it! :)

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  43. The Old ParsonageFebruary 27, 2009 at 3:29 PM

    The recipe sounds yummy and your photos are beautiful!

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  44. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2009 at 3:53 PM

    Susan,this is so pretty.I would hate to mess it up.I know the salad tastes awesome,but your presentation is excellent...Ann

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  45. SalmagundiFebruary 27, 2009 at 5:45 PM

    I bet the dried cranberries with pecans would be wonderful together in the chicken salad. Thanks for the inspiration. Sally

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  46. SweetieFebruary 27, 2009 at 8:29 PM

    Your chicken salad looks like a gourmet delight. I don't think that I've ever seen chicken salad look so appetizing.
    Sweetie

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  47. squawmamaFebruary 27, 2009 at 8:53 PM

    Susan your chicken salad sounds like it is wonderful... I loved everything you put in it... Will be making this very soon...

    HUGS,
    Donna

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  48. BettyFebruary 27, 2009 at 10:16 PM

    Hi Susan,

    I love chicken salad, and your recipe sounds good. I've never made it this way, but I put pecans and grapes in mine too.

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  49. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2009 at 11:05 PM

    The chicken salad looks wonderful, but the bunny on your new post caught my eye. He is just too adorable. Have a good weekend.
    Nancy

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  50. SavoringTime in the KitchenFebruary 28, 2009 at 12:17 AM

    Your recipe sounds delightful, Susan! My favorite ingredient in chicken salad, other than the toasted pecans you've mentioned, is lots of tarragon and perhaps some dried tart cherries. Your salad makes me dream of lunch on the patio. A long way for us northern gals!

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  51. Mary @ Framed and TaggedFebruary 28, 2009 at 10:00 AM

    Yummy! I love chicken salad..I will have to try this one.

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  52. Lori (All That Splatters)February 28, 2009 at 12:56 PM

    Beautiful presentation! I'm loving the addition of the red & green grapes. I'll try that next time I make chicken salad. Great idea!

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  53. Sara's Sweet SurpriseFebruary 28, 2009 at 4:28 PM

    This salad reminds me of summer lunches on the patio. The only variation... I add(diced) red or green apple. Served in croissants or sweet rolls, like Brioche,Challah or Hawaiian. However it's made, I love the sweet and savory combination!!

    Sweet Wishes,
    Sara

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  54. Maggie LamarreFebruary 27, 2010 at 8:27 PM

    omg i luv luv this recipe, I printed going to make it on Friday.
    http://cuttlebugchallenge.blogspot.com/2010/02/wanna-get-away-to-this-fantastic.html
    Maggie

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