Best Ayres Chicken Salad Recipes

AYRES' CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• 1. In large mixing bowl, combine chicken and celery; chill. Combine mayonnaise, Durkee Sauce, salt, pepper, hot pepper sauce, chicken base and lemon juice; blend throughly. Combine chicken mixture and slad dressing; mix well and chill for at leats 4 hours.
• 2. To serve the Ayres way, serve with strawberries, banana slices, pineapple chunks, grapes and/or other fruits of your choosing. Don't forget the Ayres' Pumpkin Bread Fingers (I will post recipe)
• 3. *Note: Chicken base is a commercial product. Granule bouillon may be substituted or it may be omitted. Durkee's Famous Sauce is still made and can be found on the condiment isle where mayonnaise is found. Actually, I don't use Durkee's or Chicken Base when making chicken salad. I use a mixture of Helman's Mayonnaise and Kraft Miracle Whip and sometimes just a dab of Marzetti Country Style Slaw Dressing. I like the dressing to be thick and just enough to bring all the ingredients together. I don't like it loose or swimming in dressing.

THE BEST CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, 1 tablespoon salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl.
• Toss together the chicken, celery, shallot, dill and parsley in a large bowl.
• Add the dressing to the chicken and mix gently until combined. Refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to overnight to meld flavors. Garnish with chives.
• Put the parsley, thyme, onion, carrot, celery and chicken breasts in a medium saucepan. Cover with the broth and bring just to a boil. Reduce the heat to very low and cover. Poach the chicken until firm to the touch, about 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, uncover and cool the chicken in the liquid for 30 minutes.
• Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and reserve the liquid. Bone and skin the chicken and roughly chop the meat into about 1/2-inch pieces. Discard the bones and skin.
• Strain the broth and store, covered, in the refrigerator for 3 days or freeze for later use. Remove any fat from the surface of the broth before using.

ORIGINAL AYRE'S TEAROOM CHICKEN VELVET SOUP

Steps:

• 1. In a large pot, combine butter and flour, blending well. Add warm milk, the pint of hot chicken stock and the warm cream.
• 2. When it begins to thicken, add remaining ingredients and cook over low heat until hot.

CHICKEN SALAD WITH APPLES, GRAPES, AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• Toss shredded chicken, apple chunks, walnuts, red onion, celery, and lemon juice together in a large bowl.
• Whisk vanilla yogurt, salad dressing, and mayonnaise together in a separate bowl; pour over the chicken mixture and stir to coat. Gently fold the grapes into the salad.

BEST CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Choose a heavy pot or Dutch oven with a tightfitting lid. It should be large enough to hold the chicken snugly, but not much bigger. Fill pot about 2/3 full with cold water, but don't put the chicken in yet. Boil some extra water in a teakettle.
• Add scallions and peppercorns to water, cover and bring to a rolling boil. Turn off heat and slip chicken pieces into the hot water. If needed, add boiling water from the kettle to cover chicken with water by 2 inches. Replace the lid and let chicken rest in the hot water for about 2 hours. Do not turn the flame back on: The pot will retain enough heat to cook chicken thoroughly and safely. (To test, cut into 1 piece of chicken and check the meat near the bone. If it is still pink, return the pot to low heat, bring the water to a simmer and simmer 10 minutes more.)
• Lift chicken out of the pot. Remove and discard bones, skin and fat. Pat the meat dry with paper towels, then cut or shred into small bite-size pieces and transfer to a bowl. (Meanwhile, simmer cooking liquid until tasty, strain and refrigerate or freeze to use as chicken stock.)
• In a bowl, whisk together juice of 1/2 lemon, mayonnaise and sour cream. If using, whisk in mustard or brine. Taste and adjust the seasonings and thickness to your liking. Pour over chicken, scraping the bowl clean with a rubber spatula.
• Add celery, onion if using, nuts, herbs and salt and pepper. Toss gently but thoroughly. Refrigerate, covered, at least 4 hours. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Sprinkle with herbs before serving.

TEA ROOM CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, celery, mustard, poppy seeds and salt. Fold in chicken. Cover and chill for 3 to 4 hours. Top with pecans before serving.