The ultimate perfection to a salad is fresh vegetables and an awesome dressing (if required). Salads are very versatile foods that allow you to include some of your favorite flavors and ingredients but still maintain that health factor. Salads can be appetizers as well as main dishes; typical salad dishes are varied combinations of lettuce, vegetables, tomatoes, potatoes, pasta, noodles, nuts, fruits, cheese and eggs with your choice of meat.

There are several variations of salad dressings depending on the type of salad you are having, and whether it’s cold or warm. Vinaigrette dressings which comprise of oil and vinegar and cream based or mayonnaise type dressings. The basic oil and vinegar can be considered the healthiest salad dressing.

Chicken salads are one of the more popular types of salads, they can be used for sandwiches or served on their own accompanied with lettuce leaves, sliced or hollowed tomatoes, avocado halves or rolls. Basic chicken salad recipes are spruced up with eggs, cantaloupes, papayas, grapes or just about in fruit you desire; walnuts, almonds or other type nuts; sour cream, teriyaki sauce or yogurt. Just about anything can be thrown into a chicken salad, let your taste buds guide you!

Ingredients

  • 3 cups diced cooked chicken
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup diced celery
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
  • 1/2 cup diced apple
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional
  • 4 to 6 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1/8 teaspoon curry powder, optional
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • lettuce leaves

Directions

  1. In a large bowl toss together the chicken, apple, onion, walnuts, celery and cranberries.
  2. Whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice; curry powder, salt and pepper.
  3. Add the mayonnaise mixture to the chicken mixture.
  4. Place the lettuce leaves on serving platter and add the chicken salad.

Low Fat Chicken Salad Dressing

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons sugar substitute
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 cup cold water

Directions

  1. In bowl, combine sugar substitute, dry mustard, vegetable oil, salt, and vinegar.
  2. Combine cornstarch and water; cook and stir over low heat until thick and clear.
  3. Remove from heat and continue stirring for 1 minute. Pour over sugar mixture.
  4. Whisk until smooth.
  5. Add dash of paprika if desired.

Optional Chicken Salad Ingredients

  • Preserves – any sweet berry can be substituted for the dried cranberries used in this recipe.
  • Honey – can be used to give a sweet flavor to the dish.
  • Pine Nuts – are a wonderful option to the walnuts or pecans.
  • Sprouts – Additional nutrition with crunch
  • Garlic – Add 1 crushed garlic clove to the salad dressing
  • Other Vegetables – Other vegetables that are quite commonly found in chicken salads includes: carrots, snow peas, sweet corn kernels