Creamy Spring Chicken Salad With Mayo

This creamy spring chicken salad with mayo is as close to perfect as you can get! Made with poached chicken and an array of fresh vegetables, this salad is bursting with color and nutrients and serves as a full meal. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner, this Spring Chicken Salad is sure to delight your taste buds and nourish your body

Creamy Spring Chicken Salad

As the world awakens from winter’s slumber, nature begins to paint the canvas with vibrant green hues, flowers bloom, and the air fills with the sweet scent of rejuvenation. Spring promises freshness and renewal, reflected in nature and our culinary choices. One such delightful manifestation of spring’s bounty is the Spring Chicken Salad—a dish that encapsulates the season’s essence with its crisp textures, lively colors, and refreshing flavors.

Spring Chicken Salad celebrates the abundant produce during this time of year. Fresh, tender greens like spinach, arugula, and butter lettuce provide the perfect base for this salad, offering a burst of nutrients and flavors. Asparagus spears, radishes, and snap peas add a crunchy texture and a pop of color, infusing the dish with vitality and visual appeal.

This salad’s heart lies in succulent chicken breast, grilled or poached to perfection. The chicken not only adds protein to the dish but also serves as a canvas for absorbing the vibrant flavors of the season. Marinated with a zestful blend of lemon, garlic, and herbs, the chicken becomes tender and infused with aromatic goodness.

What truly sets Spring Chicken Salad apart is the harmonious marriage of flavors in every bite. Juicy peas burst with sweetness, while creamy mayo adds a luxurious creaminess. Crumbled feta or goat cheese lends a tangy contrast. A drizzle of lemon juice and a touch of honey tie everything together with its bright and refreshing tang.

Ingredients For Creamy Spring Chicken Salad

Chicken Breast:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breast is the star protein of the salad.
• Grilled or roasted chicken breast adds a smoky flavor and succulent texture to the salad.

Asparagus:

• Asparagus spears are tender spring vegetables with a slightly sweet and earthy flavor.
• They contribute a crisp texture, vibrant green color to the salad, and essential nutrients like vitamins A, C, and K.

Radishes:

• Radishes are crunchy root vegetables with a peppery flavor and vibrant red or pink skin.
• Sliced or thinly shaved radishes add a refreshing crunch and a pop of color to the salad, complementing its overall freshness.

Snap Peas:

• Snap peas are crisp, sweet, and edible-podded peas that add a delightful crunch to the salad.

Cheese (Optional):

• Crumbled feta cheese adds a tangy and creamy element to the salad.

Lemon Juice:

• Adds a bright and tangy flavor to the salad, tying all the ingredients together while enhancing their natural flavors.

Peas:

• Sweet and tender, peas add a burst of freshness and a slightly sweet flavor to the salad.
• Peas complement the other ingredients in the salad, whether raw or lightly blanched, enhancing its complexity and visual appeal.

Nuts: (optional)

• Toasted nuts such as almonds or pecans provide a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor to the salad and, add depth of flavor and texture to the dish.

Dill:

• Known for its bright, citrusy aroma and slightly tangy taste, dill adds a refreshing herbal note to dishes. I like adding dill, but you can use other fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, etc.

Bell Pepper:

• They have a crisp texture and a sweet, slightly tangy flavor. 

Mayo and Dijon Mustard

How to Poach The Chicken

Salad Ingredients:

• Boneless, skinless, large chicken breasts
• Water or chicken broth (enough to cover the chicken)
• Aromatics (such as onion, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, and herbs like parsley or thyme)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Trim the chicken breasts of excess fat. This helps ensure even cooking and a cleaner final product.
2. In a medium pot or saucepan, add enough water or chicken broth to cover the chicken breasts thoroughly. You can use plain water for poaching, but using chicken broth adds extra flavor to the meat.
3. Add aromatics to the pot to infuse the chicken with additional flavor. Typical aromatics include sliced onion, smashed garlic cloves, bay leaves, whole peppercorns, and fresh herbs like parsley or thyme. Feel free to customize the aromatics based on your preferences.
4. Season the poaching liquid generously with salt and pepper. This ensures that the chicken absorbs flavor as it cooks.
5. Bring the poaching liquid to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Avoid boiling the liquid, as this can cause the chicken to become tough and stringy.
6. Once the liquid is simmering, carefully add the chicken breasts to the pot, ensuring they are fully submerged.
7. Cover the pot with a lid and let the chicken cook gently in the poaching liquid for about 15-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts. When fully cooked, the chicken’s internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C).
8. After cooking the chicken, remove it from the poaching liquid using tongs or a slotted spoon. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing or shredding.
9. Once rested, slice or shred the poached chicken as desired for use in the Spring Chicken Salad. The poached chicken will be tender, juicy, and infused with the flavors of the aromatics and seasonings.
10. Allow the chicken to cool completely before adding it to the salad to prevent wilting the greens or melting the cheese, and enjoy your delicious Spring Chicken Salad with poached chicken!

How to Make Spring Chicken Salad

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the grilled chicken marinade – olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, dried oregano, salt, and pepper (if you are grilling the chicken).
2. Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring it is well coated. Cover or seal the dish/bag and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
3. Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard any excess marinade. Grill the chicken for 6-8 minutes per side or until cooked through and no longer pink in the center. Remove from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
4. If you are not grilling, poach the chicken. You can also use it for rotisserie chicken.
5. Dice radish and bell pepper.
6. Slice snap peas, green onion and asparagus.
7. Diced cooled chicken. 
8. Place chicken in a large bowl, add the rest of the ingredients, and combine them with homemade mayo, dijon mustard, and chopped fresh dill. Toss gently to combine. Now, if you don’t like mayo or dont want to use it, you can use your favorite vinaigrettes. Here are 7 delicious vinaigrette recipes.
9. Serve the Spring Chicken Salad immediately, garnished with additional fresh dill if desired. 

What to Serve With Spring Chicken Salad

1. Crusty Bread or Breadsticks: Serve slices of crusty bread or crunchy breadsticks alongside the salad to soak up any remaining vinaigrette and add a satisfying carb element to the meal.
2. Quinoa or Rice: Serve a side of cooked quinoa or rice for added substance and to make the meal more filling. These grains also complement the flavors of the salad well.
3. Grilled Vegetables: Grilled vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, and mushrooms make a delicious side dish that complements the grilled chicken in the salad.
4. Crostini: Toasted crostini topped with creamy goat cheese or hummus can serve as a tasty appetizer or side dish to accompany the salad.
5. Herb Roasted Potatoes: Serve herb-roasted potatoes as a hearty side dish to add warmth and comfort to the meal. The crispy exterior and soft interior of the potatoes complement the freshness of the salad.

Equipment

1. Grill or Grill Pan: To grill the chicken breast until cooked through and juicy, imparting a smoky flavor.
2. Poaching pot: if you decide to poach it.
3. Mixing Bowls
4. Knife and Cutting Board
5. Measuring Spoons
6. Tongs or Spatula
7. Mixing Sppon
8. Salad Spinner (Optional)

How to Storage It

Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to prevent the salad from absorbing any unwanted odors from the fridge. When ready to enjoy leftovers, give the salad a quick toss to redistribute the dressing and flavors. 

This Creamy Spring Chicken Salad embodies the essence of springtime with its fresh ingredients, lively flavors, and nourishing qualities. So, gather your ingredients, embrace the season, and indulge in this salad’s delightful symphony of flavors.

Homemade Mayo Recipe

Did you make this recipe?

Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #thetastesoflifeholisticblog

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