The Ingles Chicken Salad is quick and easy to make, full of flavor and easily fits your taste preferences. The combination of fresh vegetables, chicken, almonds and a homemade dressing makes this salad a favorite among many households. From meal prepping lunch boxes to dinner gatherings, this salad will definitely be a hit.
The ingredients are easy to find and preparation is very simple. All you need to do is chop up some vegetables, cook the chicken, prepare the dressing, mix everything together and serve. Follow along with the steps below for an amazing Ingles Chicken Salad that everyone will love!
What Is Ingles Chicken Salad?
Ingles Chicken Salad is a popular item from the Ingles supermarkets. This salad has become a go-to meal for lunch or dinner because it’s easy to make and full of flavor! It’s also great for meal prepping and can easily fit your taste preferences.
Where Did I First Try Ingles Chicken Salad?
One day I was looking for a salad recipe that I could make ahead of time for lunches and dinners. Then I came across this amazing salad from Ingles supermarkets, which was full of flavor and easy to make. Since then, it has become a go-to dish for me and my family because it’s so delicious!
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Ingredients
- Shredded chicken: It is the major ingredient in this salad, you can use boneless and skinless chicken breasts cooked shredded into small pieces.
- Celery: Adds a nice crunch to the salad.
- Red onion: Provides a great flavor crunch. Make sure to chop it finely.
- Almonds: Adds some nutty flavor and crunchy texture.
- Bell pepper: It makes salad colorful and adds some sweetness to it.
- Greek yogurt or mayonnaise: Creates the perfect dressing for this salad, choose whichever you prefer.
- Salt: It is essential to enhance the flavor of this salad.
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes give a vibrant color and sweetness to the salad.
- Lemon juice: It adds a nice zesty flavor to the dressing.
- Vinegar: It helps to cut through the richness of the salad and enhances the flavor.
- Olive oil: It gives some extra flavor and helps to mix all the ingredients together.
- Black pepper: A pinch of freshly ground black pepper adds a nice kick to the dressing.
- Eggs: You can add boiled eggs for protein and to make them more filling.
Direction
Step 1
Using a frying pan, cook the chicken over medium heat until it is cooked through. Don’t roast it, just make sure it is cooked. While the chicken is cooking, dice onion, celery and bell pepper into small pieces and put them in a small bowl.
Step 2
Cut the lettuce and tomatoes into thin slices and place in a separate bowl. Put almonds in a third small bowl.
Step 3
In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, lemon juice, olive oil black pepper and salt together with a whisk to make dressing for salad.
Step 4
Add all prepared ingredients to the large mixing bowl with dressing and mix gently so that everything is coated with dressing evenly. Divide the salad into small serving bowls and serve.
Cooking Tips
- The best way to cook chicken for this recipe is to use a frying pan, but you can also use an oven or grill.
- Use fresh vegetables when making this recipe for the best flavor and texture.
- Make sure to mix all ingredients together gently so that none of them are over-mixed or broken apart.
- Adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or pepper if needed depending on your taste preference.
- Let the salad sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving so that all flavors have time to mingle and develop fully.
What Ingredients Can I Replace or Substitute While Making It?
- Chicken can be substituted with tofu or tempeh.
- Onion can be replaced with leek, shallots, or garlic.
- Bell pepper can be replaced with any other type of pepper such as jalapeno, poblano, or anaheim.
- Lettuce and tomatoes can be swapped for spinach and cucumbers.
- Almonds can be replaced with walnuts or pecans.
- Mustard can be replaced with horseradish if desired.
Ingles Chicken Salad Recipe
Equipment
- wooden spoon or spatula
- large frying pan
- small bowls
Ingredients
For the Chicken Salad:
- 2 cups Shredded Chicken – Tender and succulent shredded chicken provides a hearty and protein-packed base for the salad, ensuring a satisfying and filling meal.
- 2 tablespoons Celery – Crisp and refreshing celery adds a cool and crunchy texture to the salad, offering a mild, earthy flavor and a satisfying bite, balancing the overall composition.
- 1/4 cup Onion – Sharp and pungent the finely chopped onion adds a robust, savory flavor, enhancing the salad with its aromatic quality and providing a delightful crunch.
- 2 tablespoons Bell Pepper – Vibrantly colored and sweet bell pepper adds a burst of freshness and a subtle sweetness to the salad, creating a visually appealing and flavorful contrast to the other ingredients.
- 1/4 cup Tomatoes – Juicy and ripe tomatoes bring a burst of natural sweetness and a juicy, succulent texture to the salad, offering a delightful contrast to the other ingredients and enhancing its overall freshness.
- 1/4 cup Lettuce – Fresh and crisp lettuce leaves add a refreshing and leafy element to the salad, contributing a mild, slightly bitter taste and a tender crunch, enhancing its overall texture.
- 1/4 cup Almonds – Crunchy and nutty almonds add a satisfying crunch and a rich, toasty flavor, elevating the salad with their texture and providing a hearty, protein-rich element.
For the Dressing:
- 1 Egg – Creamy and velvety the egg emulsifies the dressing, creating a smooth and luxurious texture while adding richness and depth to the overall flavor profile.
- 1/2 tablespoon Vinegar – Tangy and acidic vinegar adds a bright and zesty kick to the dressing, balancing the richness of other ingredients and providing a refreshing acidity, enhancing the overall flavor complexity.
- 1 tablespoon Mayonnaise – Creamy and tangy mayonnaise lends a velvety smoothness to the dressing, enhancing its creaminess and providing a subtle tang, ensuring a well-rounded and indulgent taste.
- 1/2 tablespoon Mustard – Pungent and sharp mustard adds a bold and spicy kick, creating a flavorful contrast and enhancing the dressing with its zesty, complex taste, elevating the overall tanginess.
- 1/2 tablespoon Olive Oil – Smooth and fruity olive oil provides a rich and slightly peppery flavor, contributing to the dressing’s silkiness and enhancing its overall depth, ensuring a velvety mouthfeel.
- 1/2 teaspoon Lemon Juice – Fresh and citrusy lemon juice adds a vibrant and refreshing acidity, brightening the dressing with a subtle tang, balancing the richness and adding a hint of freshness.
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper – Pungent and aromatic black pepper adds a bold, spicy warmth, elevating the dressing with its sharpness, providing a delightful kick, and complementing the creaminess of the other ingredients.
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt – Essential for seasoning salt enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients, ensuring a well-balanced and harmonious taste in the dressing, highlighting its richness and enhancing its overall savoriness.
Instructions
- Using a frying pan, cook the chicken over medium heat until it is cooked through. Don’t roast it, just make sure it is cooked. While the chicken is cooking, dice onion, celery and bell pepper into small pieces and put them in a small bowl.
- Cut the lettuce and tomatoes into thin slices and place in a separate bowl. Put almonds in a third small bowl.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, lemon juice, olive oil black pepper and salt together with a whisk to make dressing for salad.
- Add all prepared ingredients to the large mixing bowl with dressing and mix gently so that everything is coated with dressing evenly. Divide the salad into small serving bowls and serve.
Notes
- The best way to cook chicken for this recipe is to use a frying pan, but you can also use an oven or grill.
- Use fresh vegetables when making this recipe for the best flavor and texture.
- Make sure to mix all ingredients together gently so that none of them are over-mixed or broken apart.
- Adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or pepper if needed depending on your taste preference.
- Let the salad sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving so that all flavors have time to mingle and develop fully.
Nutrition Information
This recipe makes 6 servings and each serving contains:
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Fat: 19 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
How to Store?
It’s great to eat it instantly. But if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. If you want to store it for more than 7 days then avoid the mayonnaise. When it’s time to eat, just mix the Mayonnaise, pepper, and salt together and add the mayo before serving.
FAQs
Is this a healthy recipe?
Yes, this salad is packed with protein and vitamins, making it an ideal healthy meal option. It also contains low amounts of fat and carbohydrates, so you can enjoy it guilt-free.
What vegetables can I add to this salad?
You can add any vegetables that you prefer such as carrots, celery, cucumbers, zucchini, and bell peppers. You can also add some fresh herbs such as parsley or cilantro to give it an extra flavor boost.
Can I use a different type of protein instead of chicken?
Yes, you can use tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian or vegan option. You can also use shrimp, steak, salmon, or tuna for a seafood option. However, keep in mind that the cooking times will differ depending on the type of protein you choose.
Can I add more seasoning to this salad?
Yes, you can add additional seasonings such as garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika if desired. You can also adjust the amount of salt and pepper based on your taste preference. Additionally, adding a few drops of hot sauce or fresh herbs can also be a nice addition.
Wrapping Up
Thanks for reading this guide on Ingles chicken salad recipe. This salad is filled with protein and vitamins. It’s also quick and easy to make, making it perfect for busy days. You can easily choose the ingredients according to your taste and substitute certain vegetables if desired. This recipe takes just a minute to assemble so you can have a delicious and nutritious meal in no time. Try it out today and enjoy the amazing flavors of this Ingles Chicken Salad!
We hope you enjoyed learning about how to make Ingles Chicken Salad. Now it’s time for you to try out this amazing recipe and enjoy its delicious flavors!
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My name is Lori Walker. I’m a registered dietitian, food blogger and food enthusiast. I share easy healthy, delicious recipes on my blog and review necessary kitchen items. The recipes I share take less… Read more