Chicken salad is undoubtedly one of the healthiest salads to try. But this Paula Deen chicken salad version has something extra to make it the ultimate. It’s easy, healthy, bright, flavorful, and will make any summer meal a breeze.
We tried this recipe, which turned out creamy, refreshing, and colorful. With each bite, we get hints of juicy grapes, crispy celery and walnuts, and sweet onion. The dressing is rolled in crisp celery, green onion, and fresh grapes.
This creamy Paula Deen chicken salad is a perfect pocket recipe. It’ll pay you off. You can top your salad with feta cheese as a topping. However, the chef advised to keep this recipe simple as it is made with top-notch ingredients.
You’ve resisted yourself for a long time. So, it is time to try. This dish is healthy; it’s naturally low in carbs and fat. With just a few minutes of preparation, you can serve the befitting flavors of Paula Deen chicken salad.
What's In The Post
Is This The Exact Paula Deen Chicken Salad Recipe?
Yes, this is the exact Paula Deen chicken salad recipe that our chef has prepared. We’ve followed the recipe step-by-step as the chef did in his recipe. The result is a classic, creamy, delicious salad with crispy and crunchy veggies and smokey chicken.
The best part of this recipe is you can add any fruits, meat, and dressing. The result is a crispy, slightly sweet, refreshing, and perfect salad that you should try at home.
Is Paula Deen Chicken Salad Different From Regular Chicken Salad?
Paula Deen chicken salad is unbeatable. The crunchy and refreshing toppings are made with a creamy mayonnaise dressing. But when it comes to the regular chicken salad, toppings and veggies are outfitted with either mayo-based or vinegar-based sauce, which is generally unhealthy.
Why You’ll Love This Paula Deen Chicken Salad?
- This Paula Deen chicken salad is straightforward to make. You must prep the ingredients and toss them together in a bowl with the dressing.
- Serve your bowl of veggies within a few minutes and buck.
- It is made with a few ingredients. All you need is romaine lettuce, fruits, walnuts, prawns, and dressing.
- The best part of this salad is that you can easily customize it per your preferences. Add any fruits or veggies and swap them with the substitutes below.
Is This Recipe Vegan or Gluten Free?
No, Paula Deen chicken salad recipe is not vegan and gluten-free. The recipe calls for mayonnaise made from eggs and oil. However, you can make it vegan by substituting mayonnaise with vegan mayo or yogurt.
Luckily, it is suitable for people who are gluten intolerant or are suffering from celiac disease. It is a win-win situation for them, and they can enjoy it.
Is This The Simplest Chicken Salad Recipe?
It is the most straightforward chicken salad recipe you can ever try at home. All you have to do is chop all the veggies and cut the roasted chicken into pieces with a knife. Then, toss them in a bowl with mayonnaise and serve. See, I told you, it’s elementary and delicious. It’s just a game of mix and match.
Equipment Required For Paula Deen Chicken Salad
- Bowl – Use a bowl to mix all the salad ingredients until done.
- Spatula – Mix everything with a wooden spatula for this chicken salad.
- Knife – Chop the veggies and chicken pieces with a sharp knife for the recipe.
- Chopping Board – Slice and dice the ingredients on a chopping board for fine cutting.
Paula Deen Chicken Salad Ingredients
- Roasted Chicken – Roasted chicken will add rich flavor and sweet juiciness to the salad.
- Lemon Juice – Lemon juice adds brightness and a citric taste to the salad.
- Mayonnaise – We’ve used mayonnaise to make this salad creamy.
- Red Onion – Finely chop red onion to add sweetness and bright red color to the salad.
- Celery – Celery will add a slight sweetness to the salad.
- Grapes – Juicy grapes are an excellent addition to this chicken salad.
- Walnuts – Walnuts will give the salad a nutty taste and a crunch you can’t miss.
- Curry Powder – Curry powder will add a unique flavor due to the combination of savory and sweet spices.
- Salt – Enhance the taste of the salad by adding a pinch of salad.
- Pepper – Season the salad with the back pepper to add some heat.
Paula Deen Chicken Salad Ingredients Substitutions
- Chicken – This recipe uses roasted chicken to add smoky flavors. But you can use any cooked chicken, such as rotisserie, grilled, or poached chicken. Or use canned chicken.
- Mayonnaise – You can substitute another type of creamy dressing for the mayonnaise, such as Greek yogurt, sour cream, or ranch dressing.
- Lemon Juice – You can substitute lime juice or vinegar for the lemon juice.
- Curry powder – You can omit the curry powder if you don’t like the flavor. Or, you can substitute another type of spice blend, such as Italian seasoning or Cajun seasoning.
- Grapes – You can substitute any fruit for the grapes, such as apples, pears, or berries.
- Walnuts – You can substitute another type of nut for the walnuts, such as almonds, pecans, or peanuts.
What Kind Of Chicken Do You Need For This Recipe?
This Paula Deen chicken salad recipe calls for roasted chicken, but you can use any cooked chicken you like. Other good options include rotisserie, grilled, or poached chicken.
But when it comes to the type of chicken to use for this recipe, the choice is yours. Make sure it will affect the flavor and texture of the chicken salad. However, we suggest roasted chicken, which is typically the most flavorful option.
But rotisserie, grilled, or poached chicken are all flavorful options. Whatever type of chicken you use, shred it or dice it into cubes before adding it to the chicken salad. It will help the chicken salad to be more evenly distributed and easier to eat.
Paula Deen Chicken Salad Preparation And Cooking Time
| Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Minutes | 6 Minutes | 12 Minutes |
Paula Deen Chicken Salad Recipe Steps
Step 1- Take a large bowl and add roasted and shredded chicken.
Step 2- Combine two tablespoons of chopped red onion.
Step 3- Add one cup of mayonnaise to the bowl.
Step 4- Throw two cups of halved and seedless grapes into the bowl.
Step 5- Add finely chopped celery.
Step 6- Freshly squeeze half the lemon into the bowl.
Step 7- Season it with salt, pepper, and curry powder.
Step 8- Gently fold in half a cup of roasted and salted almonds.
Step 9- Mix everything well and Paula Deen chicken salad will be ready to serve.
Tips To Make This Chicken Salad Better
- Our chef has advised using fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavors.
- Chicken salad is best served when it’s cold. So, letting the mixture chill in the fridge before serving is advised. It will help all the flavors meld together.
- You can also top this Paula Deen chicken salad with crumbled feta or goat cheese!
- Freshly prepare the dressing, as it will bring all of the flavors together.
- We recommend keeping the salad the same, or else it can make the chicken salad challenging.
- Feel free to experiment with your add-ons. It could mean adding your favorite herbs, spices, or fruits.
- Add some crunch to this chicken salad by adding nuts, seeds, or vegetables.
- Use a different type of mayonnaise for a different flavor profile. For example, you could use Greek yogurt, sour cream, or ranch dressing.
- Add some sweetness to the chicken salad by adding chopped fruit, such as grapes, apples, or cranberries.
- Add some heat to the chicken salad with hot sauce or chili powder.
How Will This Chicken Salad Look And Taste Like?
This homemade version of Paula Deen chicken salad is a classic recipe. It’s creamy, flavorful, and has a slightly spicy taste. It has roasted chicken, mayonnaise, grapes, celery, walnuts, lemon juice, and curry powder.
The grapes add a sweetness, while the celery and walnuts add a crunch. The curry powder kicks the salad. It is bright and colorful. The addition of grapes adds a pop of color, while the almonds add a bit of texture.
Why Is My Chicken Salad Too Dry?
- If the chicken you used was dry, it will dry your chicken salad. Make sure to use moist chicken, such as rotisserie or poached chicken.
- The overcooked chicken will make your salad dry and tough. Also, overmixing can break down the chicken and make it dry. So, cooking the chicken until it is cooked and no longer pink is advised.
- If you don’t use enough mayonnaise in your recipe, your salad may become dry and tough. The reason is mayonnaise helps keep chicken salad moist. Start with a generous amount of mayonnaise, then add more to taste.
- If you have used too many veggies, they can absorb moisture from the chicken salad, making it dry. Use a small amount of vegetables and chop them finely.
- If the chicken you used was dry, it will dry your chicken salad. Make sure to use moist chicken, such as rotisserie or poached chicken.
- The overcooked chicken will make your salad dry and tough. Also, overmixing can break down the chicken and make it dry. So, cooking the chicken until it is cooked and no longer pink is advised.
- If you don’t use enough mayonnaise in your recipe, your salad may become dry and tough. The reason is mayonnaise helps keep chicken salad moist. Start with a generous amount of mayonnaise, then add more to taste.
- If you have used too many veggies, they can absorb moisture from the chicken salad, making it dry. Use a small amount of vegetables and chop them finely.
Paula Deen Chicken Salad Nutritional Values
Paula Deen chicken salad is unhealthy as it contains mayonnaise and other veggies with high amounts of fat and sugar. Rest, if you want to know more about its nutritional value, take a look at the table below:
| Calories | 417 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 50 g |
| Fat | 31 g |
| Potassium | 319 mg |
| Sodium | 288 mg |
| Protein | 23 g |
Is This Recipe Good For Weight Loss?
No, this recipe is not preferable for those following a weight loss journey as it is high in calories. The reason is the use of unhealthy ingredients like mayonnaise and sweet fruits. However, you can make it healthy by swapping or substituting the ingredients with healthy alternatives.
Can You Make This Recipe Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can make the chicken salad in advance. For this, cook the chicken and let it cool completely. But wait to add ingredients until you are ready to serve the salad. Now, store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
How to Store This Paula Deen Chicken Salad?
Storing Paula Deen salad is generally not recommended as it contains creamy dressing, which may spoil if not consumed fresh. However, if you still wish to store the leftovers, transfer this chicken salad to an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for three days, or store it in the fridge for over two months.
It is important to note that the salad’s texture may change slightly as it sits in the refrigerator due to the release of moisture from the veggies. The dressing may become thinner, and the vegetables may soften. However, this creamy salad should still be safe to consume within the recommended storage duration.
What To Serve With This Paula Deen Chicken Salad?
You can serve many recipes with Paula Deen chicken salad. Some of them are –
- Paula Deen Fried Green Tomatoes – Serve your chicken salad with this crispy and unique dish made by frying green tomatoes dipped in a buttermilk mixture. It’s rich, crisp, and healthy and perfectly complements your creamy salad.
- Paula Deen Pimento Cheese – Top this delicious pimento cheese over chicken salad. Paula Deen’s pimento cheese recipe is a creamy indulgence for this chicken salad.
- Paula Deen Creamed Corn – Serve this chicken salad with Paula Deen creamed corn. The mixture of tender chicken with crunchy celery and other vegetables will perfectly pair with the velvety and nutritious creamed corn.
- Paula Deen Fried Chicken – Serve Paula Deen fried chicken over creamy chicken salad for an added flavor. This delicious and tempting fried chicken will add contrasting flavor and texture to the chicken salad.
- Paula Deen Crackpot Mac And Cheese – This mac and cheese pairs well with chicken salad. For a balanced meal, try serving it alongside roasted vegetables such as broccoli or Brussels sprouts. Top the mac and cheese with bacon bits or diced ham before baking for added flavor.
Other Recipes To Try
So, it was all about Paula Deen’s chicken salad. This creamy, refreshing, and colorful salad is straightforward to make. You have to follow the guide for the exact flavors and textures.
You should check out Paula Deen’s recipes if you like this recipe. They include Paula Deen deviled eggs, Paula Deen broccoli salad, Paula Deen breakfast casserole, Paula Deen Butternut squash soup, Paula Deen grape salad, and Paula Deen potato salad.
Recipe Card
Paula Deen Chicken Salad Recipe
Equipment
- Bowl
- Spatula
- Knife
- Chopping Board
Ingredients
- 3 Ib Chicken (Roasted)
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- ½ Lemon
- 2 tablespoons Onion (Chopped)
- 1 stalk Celery
- 2 cups Grapes (Red)
- ½ cup Almonds (Chopped)
- 2 teaspoons Curry Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt (To taste)
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper (To taste)
Instructions
- Take a large bowl and add roasted and shredded chicken.
- Combine two tablespoons of chopped red onion.
- Add one cup of mayonnaise to the bowl.
- Throw two cups of halved and seedless grapes into the bowl.
- Add finely chopped celery.
- Freshly squeeze half the lemon into the bowl.
- Season it with salt, pepper, and curry powder.
- Gently fold in half a cup of roasted and salted almonds.
- Mix everything well and Paula Deen chicken salad will be ready to serve.
Video
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do you put eggs in chicken salad?
No! The eggs are not there in the chicken salad recipe. However, if you want to add eggs, add scrambled eggs. It will give a nice texture.
Can you freeze chicken salad?
You can freeze chicken salad. Keep it in the refrigerator for upto two hours.
What goes well with chicken salad?
Pair chicken salad with fruit salad, french fries, potato chips, green salad, and butternut squash soup for the best taste.
How can I make my bland chicken salad taste better?
Add lime juice, herb, spices, bacon, mustard sauce, pickle juice, or crunchy nuts to the chicken salad. All these options are great choices.
Why is my chicken salad so dry?
If you find your chicken salad dry, you can add lime juice to add flavor to the dish.
Conclusion
Get tempted to eat this refreshing creamy Paula Deen chicken salad. Several flavors in one bite: savory, spicy, and tangy. This salad also tastes incredible, paired with your sandwiches or filling into the wrap. Grab a spoon and dig in!
