Best Summer Chicken Salad Recipes

SUMMER CHICKEN SALAD WITH RASPBERRY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Place the salad greens, chicken, peas, berries and celery in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, preserves, salt, onion powder and pepper. Drizzle over salad; toss gently to coat. Top with almonds.

SUMMER CASHEW CHICKEN GRAPE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Boil 1 lb. of pasta - al dente - according to package directions (I use rigatoni). Drain after cooking and let cool.
• While the pasta is boiling, wash and halve the grapes.
• Dice the cooked chicken into bite sized pieces.
• In a large bowl or serving platter, combine the cooled, drained pasta with the grapes and diced chicken. Stir in the mayonnaise. I start with one cup of mayo and add more as needed. Really, just add as much as you personally like - it may be more or less than 2 cups.
• Stir in the Lawry's seasoning salt, onion powder and garlic powder. Again, add to your liking. You may want more or less than 1/2 teaspoon of any of these - - it's your choice, go with what you like. Frequent sampling at this point will help you decide what your preference will be so grab a fork and start sampling!
• If the salad is too thick and rich for your liking, stir in a couple tablespoons milk to thin it out. This part is optional.
• This salad is always much better the next day after the flavors have had a chance to meld. This is when I usually add milk to loosen it up a bit.
• Before serving, plate or dish up the salad and sprinkle cashew pieces on top of individual servings. DO NOT put the cashew pieces on the entire salad and refrigerate - - this will cause the cashew pieces to become soft and rubbery and nobody wants that! I just set the can of cashews on the table and let guests help themselves.
• Sit back and enjoy your sweat free cold summer salad!

SUMMER CHICKEN MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, mix chicken, peas, onions, celery, basil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, salt and pepper. Drain macaroni; rinse with cold water, then drain again. Add to chicken mixture., Mix yogurt, mayonnaise and remaining lemon juice. Add to salad and mix well. Add peaches and cheeses; toss gently. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Sprinkle with pistachios before serving.

SUMMER CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• For the salad: Put the chicken breasts into a large plastic storage bag. Pound with a mallet or rolling pin to flatten to 1/4-inch uniform thickness. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper.
• Heat a grill and drizzle with the olive oil. Grill the chicken on both sides until done, about 7 minutes per side. (Rotate halfway during grilling each side to ensure pretty grill marks.) Set aside to cool.
• Grill the corn for a few minutes, until still crunchy but colored. With a very sharp knife, shave the kernels off each corn cob. Combine with the dill, celery and onions in a large bowl. Set aside.
• For the dressing: Mix together the feta, half-and-half, mayonnaise and sour cream in a bowl. Stir in the sugar, lemon juice and some salt and pepper. Stir, and then taste. Add more salt if necessary; do not undersalt!
• Slice the chicken on the bias to create flat, randomly shaped pieces. Throw into the bowl with the celery, onions and corn. Stir to combine. Pour half of the dressing over the ingredients and toss gently. Add more as desired, but don't overcoat the salad; it should be light! At the end, toss in the blueberries to lightly coat them in the dressing.
• Spoon the salad into butter lettuce cups and then sprinkle individual helpings with feta and extra dill.

SUMMER LAYERED CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• In deep 3-quart salad bowl, place half of the lettuce. Layer with chicken, cheese, pecan halves, remaining lettuce and strawberries.
• In small bowl or glass measuring cup, mix dressing ingredients with wire whisk until well blended. Just before serving, pour dressing over salad.

CHICKEN SALAD SUMMER ROLLS

Steps:

• Mix chicken, red onion, celery, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, cumin, and mayonnaise until well blended. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 30 minutes.
• Dip a rice paper into cold water and let soak just until it starts to become flexible. Shake off most of the excess water and lay on a work surface. Place 2 slices of avocado in the center of the wrapper, about 1 inch in from the edge closest to you. Layer with bell pepper, cucumber, and carrot, spread about 1/4 cup chicken salad over top, and cover with lettuce.
• Grab the end of the wrapper closest to you and roll it up, gently stretching the flexible rice paper while tucking in the sides. Wet a second wrapper and wrap it around the first. Wrap the summer roll in barely damp paper towels and cover with plastic while you make the remaining 5 rolls.
• Mix mayonnaise, lemon juice, tarragon, basil, garlic, salt, and pepper together for dipping sauce.
• Serve summer rolls with dipping sauce on the side.

SUMMER CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the chicken, celery, grapes and raisins. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, salt and pepper. Add to chicken mixture; toss to coat. Stir in pecans. Serve on lettuce. Garnish with tomato if desired.

CONTEST-WINNING SUMMER CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Place chicken in a large skillet; add broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until a thermometer reads 170°. Drain; cover and refrigerate. In a large bowl, combine greens and sliced strawberries; refrigerate., In a blender, combine the hulled strawberries, orange juice, oil, lemon juice and lemon zest, sugar, chili powder, salt and pepper. Cover and process until smooth. Pour into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 5-6 minutes until slightly thickened. Cool slightly. , Drizzle half of the dressing over greens and berries; toss to coat. Divide among four plates. Cut chicken into 1/8-in. slices; arrange over salads. Drizzle remaining dressing over chicken; sprinkle with nuts.

SUMMER SPLASH CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix the first five ingredients until blended. Add chicken, grapes, mango and watermelon; toss gently to combine., Divide lettuce among four plates; top with chicken mixture. Sprinkle with pistachios.

SUMMER CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken, oranges, pineapple and pecans.
• Whisk together the mayonnaise, dill weed and sugar. Add to the chicken mixture, toss well and refrigerate over night so flavors may blend.

SUMMER BLT ROTISSERIE CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• In saucepan, cook bacon over medium heat 5-6 minutes or until browned.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain.
• Save 2 T bacon drippings from saucepan.
• With a wire whisk, add balsamic vinegar, Dijon, maple syrup, oil, onions, garlic, salt and pepper to drippings in saucepan and heat to boiling over medium heat.
• Remove from heat.
• Place romaine in large salad bowl.
• Add tomatoes and carrots.
• Pour hot dressing over romaine, tossing lightly until coated.
• Add chicken and toss until well mixed.
• Crumble bacon and sprinkle over salad.
• Sprinkle pecans over salad.

SUMMER CHEF'S SALAD WITH GRILLED PORK, CHICKEN, AND CHIMICHURRI RANCH DRESSING

Steps:

• Make the dressing:
• Combine buttermilk, chimichurri sauce, mayonnaise, and salt in a medium bowl.
• Assemble the salad:
• Toss lettuce and cucumber with dressing in a large serving bowl. Arrange eggs, avocado, radishes, chicken, pork, tomatoes, cheese, and croutons over salad and season with salt and pepper.
• Do Ahead
• Dressing can be made up to 3 days in advance. Cover and chill.

BISTRO CHICKEN SUMMER SALAD

Steps:

• Toss pasta with spinach, chicken, tomatoes, cucumbers and 1/2 cup cheese in large bowl.
• Add dressing; mix lightly.
• Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

GRILLED CHICKEN SUMMER SALAD

Steps:

• Make vinaigrette:
• Whisk together all vinaigrette ingredients, except oil and chives, with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add oil in a slow stream, whisking until emulsified. Whisk in chives.
• Make radish-cucumber salad:
• Boil water with salt, sugar, garlic, and peppercorns in a 4-quart pot, uncovered, 10 minutes.
• While brine boils, trim and halve radishes. Halve cucumbers lengthwise and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
• Remove brine from heat. Add radishes and cucumbers and let stand, uncovered, 10 minutes. Drain in a colander, discarding garlic and peppercorns. Transfer radishes and cucumbers to an ice bath to stop cooking, then drain well in colander.
• Transfer to a large bowl and chill, uncovered, about 20 minutes.
• Make chickpea salad:
• Stir together chickpeas, onion, 1/4 cup vinaigrette, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Cook green beans:
• Cook green beans in a large pot of well-salted boiling water, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 3 to 6 minutes. Drain. Transfer to a large ice bath to stop cooking. Drain again and pat dry.
• Grill mushrooms and chicken:
• Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over hot charcoal (medium-high heat for gas); see Grilling Procedure .
• Toss mushrooms with 2 tablespoons vinaigrette and marinate 10 minutes.
• Grill mushrooms in 2 batches on oiled grill sheet, covered only if using a gas grill, stirring frequently, until golden-brown, about 5 minutes per batch. Toss hot mushrooms with 2 tablespoons vinaigrette.
• Season chicken with 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Oil grill rack, then grill chicken over medium-hot charcoal (medium heat for gas), covered only if using a gas grill, turning chicken occasionally and moving it as necessary to avoid flare-ups, until just cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes total. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes.
• Cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices and toss with pesto in a large bowl.
• Dress salads and assemble dish:
• Toss brined cucumbers and radishes with parsley, 3 tablespoons vinaigrette, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Stir mint into chickpea salad.
• Toss beans with 2 tablespoons vinaigrette and salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with almonds.
• Toss tomatoes with 3 tablespoons vinaigrette, basil, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Toss lettuce with 1 tablespoon vinaigrette.
• Arrange chicken, mushrooms, and salads side by side on a large platter and serve remaining vinaigrette on the side.

ORIENTAL CHICKEN SUMMER SALAD

Steps:

• Combine all salad ingredients.
• Drizzle with dressing & serve.

BREAD-BAKED CHICKEN & SUMMER GARDEN SALAD

Steps:

• To make the crust, combine all the ingredients with a pinch of salt. Pour in 120ml of warm water and bring everything together, then knead for about 10 mins to form a smooth ball of dough. Divide the dough into two balls, then roll out each one to a thickness of 0.5cm on a lightly floured surface.
• Lay a chicken leg in the middle of each sheet of dough, then fold in the sides to form parcels - a bit like a pasty. Put the parcels on a tray lined with baking parchment. Can be prepared a few hours ahead and chilled in the fridge until ready to cook.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Bake the chicken parcels for 45 mins, then remove from the oven and leave to stand for 20 mins. Carefully open the parcels with a sharp serrated knife, then lift the chicken onto a baking tray. Grill the chicken for 5 mins to crisp up and colour the skin - or use a blowtorch if you have one, which would be faster and more even.
• Chop some of the bread parcel into chunks and grill until crisp, then transfer to a bowl and toss with the lettuce, carrot and tomatoes. Dress the salad with the olive oil and the vinegar. Serve each chicken leg with some salad topped with the anchovies, and with a blob of salad cream on the side.

COLD CHICKEN PAPAYA SALAD FOR SUMMER/CARRIE SHERIDAN

Steps:

• Mix papaya, chicken and celery.
• Mix ingredients for dressing.
• Add to papaya/chicken mixture.
• Serve on lettuce leaves.
• Can use condiments: sliced bananas, shredded coconut, slivered almonds, sliced black olives.
• You can also just add the dressing to the chicken and celery and spoon this into a seeded papaya half.
• This is especially cooling in the summer if it is chilled in the refrigerator for an hour or so.

PRESERVED LEMON CHICKEN SKEWERS WITH SUMMER TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• Cut the chicken into 3cm pieces, then mix in a bowl with the lemon, thyme, garlic, oil and ¼ tsp black pepper. Leave covered in the fridge for at least 3 hrs or ideally, overnight.
• Just before you're ready to cook the chicken, make the salad dressing by whisking together the oil, lemon juice, parsley and garlic.
• Thread the chicken onto four skewers, put on the barbecue and cook for 15-20 mins, turning halfway. They should be nicely charred and cooked through. Alternatively, heat a griddle pan over a high heat until very hot. Lay the skewers in the pan and cook for 15-20 mins, turning halfway.
• Arrange the tomatoes and olives on a sharing platter. Drizzle over the dressing, scatter over the pine nuts and extra thyme, then serve with the chicken skewers.

SUMMER LAYERED CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• In deep 3-quart salad bowl, place half of the lettuce. Layer with chicken, cheese, pecan halves, remaining lettuce and strawberries.
• In small bowl or glass measuring cup, mix dressing ingredients with wire whisk until well blended. Just before serving, pour dressing over salad.

SUMMER CITRUS AND PEACH CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Drizzle chicken with 2 tablespoons olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Grill chicken until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 6 to 8 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Place chicken on a flat work surface and slice crosswise into strips.
• Place orange juice, 1/2 cup olive oil, tomatillos, shallot, jalapeno, vinegar, cilantro, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 pepper in a blender. Puree until dressing is smooth.
• Place salad greens in a bowl. Drizzle dressing on top. Add chicken, peaches, avocados, and mint. Crumble dried oranges and sprinkle over the salad.