My Chicken Salad
Might just be a beach day
…but that depends if the weather cooperates. It’s suppose to rain on our parade. Well, I’m making chicken salad just in case.
I'm just curious to go down to Dauphin Island to see how things are going with the oil spill. Word has it that laborers in hazmat gear, gloves, Tyvek pants, yellow work boots and life vests are combing the beach in battalions picking up small tar balls, laying out skimming booms, building berms using hay and sand, and erecting metal barriers in some areas to keep out the oil should it become a problem. Some islanders seem to be impressed with the effort and some are somewhat amused of the ‘tyvek battalions’, geared up in befuddlement while all the other beach goers are flying kites, playing in the sand and running around barefoot.
Here is my simple recipe that has a homemade taste that I grew up eating, that’s because it’s how I remember Momma making it. I've made this many times and it is perfect for outdoor outings. Pack sandwiches in a plastic storage container, place in the ice chest and you're ready to go, along with the boiled peanuts I cooked the other day and of course, plenty of beer.
Drick’s Chicken Salad
4 to 6 large chicken breasts, depending on size
1 cup finely diced celery
1/4 cup finely diced onion
1/2 cup chopped bread & butter pickles (a type of sweet pickle)
2 to 4 hard boiled eggs –grated
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Mayonnaise
Salt & pepper to taste
1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans or almond slivers –optional
Remove skin and cook chicken in lightly salted water until juices run clear. Let chicken cool, de-bone and finely chop the meat. Mix vegetables in a bowl adding pickles, eggs, lemon juice and nuts if desired. Fold in the chicken, add just enough mayonnaise to moisten, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Keep your chicken salad simple. Remember, it's chicken salad. The other ingredients are incorporated with the chicken to moisten, add crunch and create a southern flavor I grew up with. It's my favorite recipe, enjoy...
From my cookbook Grits to Guacamole
What great contrast of flavours and textures. So curious about the bread and butter pickles!
ReplyDeleteHope they get that spill under control I know as of yesterday it wasn't...this is so scary for all of us...especially if its your livelihood....well again momma made a great chicken salad...sounds like a great recipe, hope you have a great weekend...momma is happy you carry on her traditions!~ take care
ReplyDeleteIt's just so sad! All that wild life and people impacted by this disaster. All we can do is keep praying they finally stop it!
ReplyDeleteAs usual, I love your recipes!
This chicken salad looks wonderful and is just the perfect thing for a day on the beach! Sounds like ya'll are a lot more organized than we are here. Guess we're waiting on the relief wells, now, which won't be until August! Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteI eat a jar of bread and butter pickles a day! I've looked for them in bulk to no avail.
ReplyDeleteThis chicken salad sounds lovely. Momma sure knew how to cook!
My heart and prayers definitely go out to all of those (people and wildlife) suffering from the oil spill.
I usually don't let the news bug me, but I can't help but get caught up in how much damage the oil spill has caused and keeps causing. Anyways, the chicken salad looks great, I love the use of the sweeter bread and butter pickled, my personal favorite. With all of your pickling lately, they aren't homemade by any chance are they?
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone ... Dawn, gosh no, I wish they were my own pickling doing, then I would send you and Kristi a big 'ol jar...
ReplyDeleteI love the pickles in the chicken salad, but I have never thought of the eggs....I think they make a great addition and I will have to try it soon!! thanks so much for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI have some leftover chicken breast sitting in my fridge that I've been wondering what to do with. This chicken salad looks delicious and can't wait to try it! :)
ReplyDeleteI love old-fashioned chicken salad. I bet your momma's recipe is a great one! I also use bread and butter pickles. They are so good! :)
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with all of you, it is really sad about what's going on there.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this chicken salad from your Momma, like the addition of eggs.
The spills is a tragic. I hope that those people dependant on it is coping.
ReplyDeleteI love old-fashioned chicken salad too! Thanks for sharing your recipe! Enjoy your holiday weekend!
ReplyDeleteHi Drick..this is a wonderful chicken salad and thanks for sharing your momma's recipe :)
ReplyDeleteGreat combinations of tastes!
ReplyDeleteI feel so sad each time I watch the oil spill on the TV. I find it hard to imagine the extent of the spill. I really hope it will be brought under control soon.
ReplyDeleteYour sandwich looks delicious. I think I have not eaten a good sandwich fro a long time. The most recent one was when I was on a flight. It was cold and tasteless :(
I love simple salads, with a lovely hit of lemon. Great recipe. Thanks.
ReplyDelete