Mom’s Chicken Salad

Mom’s Chicken Salad is what I decided to name this recipe but it’s not my mom’s: it’s mine. I’m calling it that because it’s my very best attempt at recreating hers.

She makes the best chicken salad! It’s similar to the kind Chik-Fil-A used to offer but better (their recipe is on their website, just do your googles). It’s kinda sweet, very eggy, and a bit crunchy.

Although Mom’s Chicken Salad is my family’s very favorite, I feel like the key to a good chicken salad is flexibility. Play to your own tastes. Omit or add what you like! My mom usually bakes the chicken for hers, and I sautee mine on the stovetop.

Chicken salad’s a great way to use up leftover meat so feel free to do that — or pick up a rotisserie bird from the store — but I like to cook my chicken specifically for this. I feel like the seasoning blend I use on it is perfect in the final dish.

It’s important to let the chicken salad rest in the fridge a few hours after making it. That will help it hold together better when you’re making your sandwich.

Or you could be like me, and not wait and eat it standing up with a spoon in front of the fridge before letting anyone else in the house know that it’s ready.

You can watch me prepare it on IGTV and see more photos on my Instagram. If you try it let me know how you like it! Check out my other chicken recipes here.

Mom’s Chicken Salad

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5 from 1 review

• Author: María
• Total Time: 35 minutes

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Description

Flexible perfection. 

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1lb chicken boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1/4 C celery (2–3 ribs)
• 4 large eggs
• 2/3 C mayonnaise
• 1/3 C sweet salad cubes
• 1/3 C sweet pickle relish
• 2 tbsp pickled vidalia onions
• 1 tsp seasoned salt
• 1/4 tsp celery salt
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground white pepper
• 1/2 tsp ground mustard
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• pinch of cayenne
• cracked black pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

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Instructions

1. Start by mixing all of the dry seasonings except cayenne and black pepper together. Preheat a cast iron skillet over medium heat, and set a medium saucepan on another burner. 
2. Season your chicken liberally on all sides and set it aside.
3. Add your eggs to the saucepan, then add just enough water to cover them. Turn your burner on to medium high. You’re going to wait until the water’s at a rolling boil before you cover the pan with a lid and remove it from heat. 
4. While you’re waiting for the eggs to boil, drizzle the oil into your skillet and add the chicken in a single layer. Cover with a lid and allow it to cook until the sides are turning opaque, about 10 minutes. 
5. By this time the water should be boiling – place the lid on the pot and remove it from the burner as soon as the water is rolling. Leave it to sit for 12 minutes, then remove the eggs and place them in a bowl of cold water. 
6. Flip your chicken over and replace the lid. Allow it to cook until completely done. This will vary depending on the size and thickness of your breasts, but should be around 7-10 more minutes or so. Remove the chicken to a cutting board to cool and rest. 
7. Peel your eggs as you wait for the chicken to cool, then dice them. 
8. Chop your pickled onions and celery. Set them aside.
9. Once your chicken has cooled enough for you to handle, chop it up into bite sized pieces. You can also shred your chicken if you prefer that texture in your salad (I like to use a hand mixer to do it).
10. Add the chicken, eggs, celery, pickled onions, sweet relish, and salad cubes to a large mixing bowl.
11. Add in half of the mayo and mix well with a silicon spatula or wooden spoon. Add the rest of the mayo, the cayenne and black pepper. Stir again, making sure all of the ingredients are evenly distributed. 
12. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for an hour. Enjoy! 

Notes

• You can use thighs if you want. 
• Using Duke’s mayonnaise and Mt. Olive Pickle Company’s relish and salad cubes is necessary in my house.

• Prep Time: 15
• Cook Time: 20

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