Chicken Salad has endless possibilities

Serve on a Salad or Greens. How about a Sandwich of  Flat Bread,  Flour Tortilla or a Roll. As an appetizer on a cracker.

The Basic mix

• 2 cups Boneless Chicken, simmered and chilled, or leftovers from a store bought Roasted Chicken, White or dark meat based on preference
• 1/2 cup of  mayonnaise. Lowfat, reduced fat or fat free are best for the waistline
• 1/4 cup chopped, celery strings removed
• Optional, 1/2 cup fresh grape halves or dried fruit such as Dried Cranberries, Golden Raisins, Raisins, plums, cherries etc.
• Optional, unsalted nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, almonds or pignoli (pine) finely chopped
• Salt & pepper to taste,  fresh or dried herbs to taste, such as Sage, or Tarragon

To assemble

• Roasted chicken should have all skin and bone remove and chilled before mixing. Home cooked chicken should also be cold before adding mayonnaise. If chicken is simmered in broth do not add salt to salad.

In a nonmetallic bowl mix well

• Chicken -can be coarsely chopped for a rustic look, diced to 1/4 inch or ground for a smooth spreadable texture.
• celery, and options of grape halves,dried fruit, nuts
• Mayonnaise, add less for drier, more for wetter,  conventional ratio is 4:1
• Salt, pepper and add herbs
• Refrigerate,  the longer it is chilled the better the flavors are incorporated
• makes 10 1/2 cup servings

Makes enough for ten sandwiches or salad toppers, used as a cracker spread makes approx. 40 or more.

Sage  mixed with Cranberry gives it a thanksgiving flair. Tarragon has a very savory earthy effect, and is luscious.  The combination of bread  or greens can make it basic or elegant.