How do you make your chicken salad?

Two things from the get go, grill or saute the chicken (white and dark meat) and debone, chop not puree in your processor.

- season chicken (or turkey) breast w/ salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, garlic powder then smoke on the grill for about an hour or so depending on size

- let cool then cube the meat. *I like chunky chicken salad, not whipped

- mix w/ mayo, mustard, black pepper, celery salt, squeeze of lemon

- serve cold on toasted bread w/ pickles

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garlic powder

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What, out of ketchup?

I bet the chicken you use is "store bought" and not even wild.

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I can't decide which way I like it more.

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Are you making it for sandwiches or for a salad plate type meal or both?

sandwiches on Seeduction bread

You might prefer a smaller chop or a processed version for sandwiches. Just depends on what you prefer as the texture.

My sister bakes the chicken, white and dark, skin on and then tosses the skin and fat and pulse chops it in the processor with celery and onion, salt and pepper, mayo, no mustard. Very simple but so darn good. Not too heavy on the mayo. A little whipped up cream tossed in that is darn good, too. That's what Neiman Marcus does to theirs and it's also very good. Theirs is more chunky with the grapes and nuts. I make that one quite often for plate salad. I chop it smaller than they do, though.

I may need to order that shallot salt. Sounds delicious. I've been enjoying some fennel salt and truffle salt lately that I got at Central Market.

I like to pick up a rotisserie chicken and Devine and chop it for my chicken salad

Grill chicken and chop - I like it chunky.

Add mayo, salt, pepper, fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, or whatever I have in the garden) grapes (halved), chopped pecans, celery. Sometimes I add onions, curry powder, apples, or even cayenne. Chill in fridge until nice and cold.

I tend to go light on the mayo - I just add until it looks about the way I like it.

I think when you puree it, you lose the individual textures of the chunks of chicken, nuts, grapes and celery. Each bite is different - some have nuts, some don't, etc...

I am the God of Chicken Salad. I make a large batch every week. But first you must profess you fealty to the God of Chicken Salad. Then, I might give you the recipe.