Mexican Chicken Salad

in Chicken & Turkey, Cinco de Mayo, Mexican & TexMex, Sandwich & Wraps

Mexican Chicken salad

If chicken salad is on the menu, I’ll order it. I’ve had decent chicken salad, bad chicken salad, and really bad chicken salad. But what I rarely find at a restaurant is a really good chicken salad.

I ask for a lot. I want big chunks of juicy chicken, not chicken obliterated into a fibrous paste. As much as I love mayonnaise, I don’t want a drippy mess when I bite into my sandwich but I do need something to hold it all together. I like a binder complimentary to the other flavors: mayo for traditional chicken salad or an Italian version with a little pesto added, plain yogurt for a Greeky twist, raspberry yogurt for a ladies’ lunch or shower brunch appetizer, and sour cream for either a South-of-the-Rio version or just when I’m out of mayo and yogurt.

There should be crunch. There must be crunch! Tart apples, roasted pecans, or roasted walnuts are good in a sweeter chicken salad and spicy nuts, onions, red bell peppers, and jalapenos are good in a more savory chicken salad. Loads of fresh herbs are a must: cilantro, parsley, basil, chives, or rosemary.

Mexican Chicken Salad

Spicy, Tex-mex inspired chicken salad.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups leftover chicken, shredded
  • 1/3 cup mayo, plus more as desired
  • 2 Tbsp white onion, chopped
  • 1 Roma tomato, seeded and diced
  • Small bunch of cilantro, chopped
  • 1/2 jalapeno, seeded and diced
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/4 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne
  • liberal pinch of salt
  • fresh ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Toss all ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Add additional mayo if necessary. Taste for seasoning and adjust.
  3. Serve on toasted bread spread with cilantro-pecan pesto and Monterrey Jack cheese.
  4. Refrigerate the leftovers.

Notes

Yields: 4 servings

Source: Confections of a Foodie Bride

Estimated time: 15 minutes

8 comments… add one
  • looks fabulous! i have some leftover grilled peppercorn chicken that i need to do something with! i think i might need to try this!

  • I’m always looking for that perfect chicken salad recipe, so I’d love to try yours. It sounds and looks delicious.

  • Looks like a winning recipe!

  • You’re right, it’s hard to find a good chicken salad dish at a restaurant! This looks great!

  • Thanks for sharing this – I’m always looking for a good chicken salad!

  • I love the colors in this! Definitely sounds like a great variation on chicken salad!

  • Jackie

    Hi

    How did you cook your chicken breast to use in this salad.

  • Jackie – It’s whatever I have left on hand. I’ve used store bought rotisserie, poached, grilled, baked. You name it.

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