Here on the homestead, we believe in making the most of everything, and that includes the delicious leftovers from our Sunday roast chicken. There’s something so satisfying about transforming one good meal into another, and our “Best Chicken Salad” recipe is a perfect example of that resourceful spirit. It’s a family favorite for a reason – simple, wholesome, and utterly delicious, especially when made with ingredients we trust.
The star of this salad, of course, is the pasture-raised cooked chicken. After enjoying a hearty roast, we always make sure to save every last bit of that flavorful meat. Knowing our chickens were raised with care on pasture, pecking and scratching in the sunshine, makes every bite even more enjoyable. Chopping the leftover chicken into bite-sized pieces feels like a natural extension of the meal, a way to honor the animal that nourished us.
For the creamy base of our chicken salad, we wouldn’t dream of reaching for a store-bought jar. Our homemade mayonnaise is a staple in our refrigerator, made with good quality olive oil or avocado oil and the rich yolks from our own pasture-raised eggs. Making it ourselves means we know exactly what’s going in – no seed oils or artificial ingredients here! It’s surprisingly simple to whip up, and the taste is just so much better.
Instead of the usual additions you might find in chicken salad, we opt for raw almonds that we’ve prepared ourselves. We often soak them overnight and then dehydrate them. It’s a little extra step, but we believe it makes them easier to digest and unlocks more of their goodness. Sometimes, if time is short, we’ll simply toast them gently in a dry skillet until they’re fragrant and crunchy. That nutty texture adds such a lovely contrast to the soft chicken.
A squeeze of freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens up the whole salad, adding a touch of zing and that essential Vitamin C. We often have a lemon tree thriving in a pot, or we source organic lemons from a local co-op. A simple grind of fresh black pepper is all the extra seasoning this salad needs. We like to keep it clean and let the natural flavors shine.
For a bit of freshness and crunch, we add some chopped celery. If we have it growing in our garden, that’s always our first choice. Otherwise, we look for organic celery at the farmers market. That crisp texture is the perfect counterpoint to the creamy mayonnaise and tender chicken.
Making this chicken salad is a breeze – it truly comes together in minutes. We simply whisk together our homemade mayonnaise, lemon juice, and pepper in a bowl. Then, we toss in the chopped chicken, toasted almonds, and celery until everything is nicely combined. That’s it! No complicated steps, just simple, wholesome goodness.
This chicken salad has become a go-to for quick lunches on the homestead, perfect spread on some crisp lettuce leaves for a gluten-free option, or alongside some homemade sourdough crackers. It’s a testament to the fact that simple food, made with good quality ingredients, is often the most satisfying. It’s a delicious way to use up leftovers, minimize food waste, and nourish our bodies with a meal we feel good about. It’s a staple in our homestead kitchen, and we hope it becomes one in yours too!
Best Chicken Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup Raw almonds Soaked overnight and dehydrated for better digestibility. Alternatively, dry-roasted.
- ½ cup Homemade Mayonnaise Made with olive oil or avocado oil and pasture-raised eggs (see instructions). Alternatively, use avocado.
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice Freshly squeezed
- ¼ tsp Ground black pepper Freshly Ground
- 2 cups Pasture-raised Cooked chicken meat chopped. Ideally from a local farm.
- 1 stalk Celery chopped. Organic if possible.
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients. For homemade mayonnaise: Blend 1 pasture-raised egg yolk, 1 tablespoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, and 1/2 cup olive oil or avocado oil until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.
- Place almonds in a frying pan. Toast over medium-low heat, shaking frequently. Watch carefully, as they burn easily. Alternatively, dehydrate soaked almonds for optimal digestibility.
- Mix together mayonnaise, lemon juice, and pepper in a medium bowl.
- Toss with chicken, toasted almonds, and celery.
- Enjoy!