Brenda Gantt’s Chicken Salad Recipe

Brenda Gantt’s Chicken Salad Recipe

Brenda Gantt’s Chicken Salad Recipe is a Southern favorite that I love to make at home. It’s one of those recipes that’s both simple and packed with flavor. Whenever I make it, I remember my family and how we always enjoy good food together. The chicken salad is tender, creamy, and filled with delicious ingredients like green onions, celery, and sometimes apples for that little extra crunch.

This is a great dish for lunch or dinner, and you can easily customize it with ingredients you already have in your kitchen. Let me take you through how to make this delicious, easy-to-prepare recipe.

Brenda Gantt’s Chicken Salad

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 1 whole chicken (cooked and deboned)
  • 3 ribs of celery, diced
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1 apple, diced
  • 1 cup of little tiny tomatoes 
  • ½ cup mayonnaise (adjust to taste)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1-2 teaspoons mustard

Recipe Substitutions

  1. Chicken: If you don’t have a whole chicken, you can use chicken breasts or thighs. Rotisserie chicken also works perfectly.
  2. Mayonnaise: If you prefer, you can substitute half the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or sour cream for a tangier taste.
  3. Apples: You can skip the apple or swap it for pear or pineapple for a different type of sweetness.

Kitchen Appliance You’ll Need

  • Large pot (for boiling the chicken)
  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Forks (for shredding chicken)

How To Make Brenda Gantt’s Chicken Salad

Step 1 | Cook the Chicken

Cook the Chicken

Start by boiling your whole chicken in a pot of water for about an hour or until the meat is tender and falling off the bone. Once the chicken is done, remove it from the pot and let it cool down.

Step 2 | Debone the Chicken

Debone the Chicken

After the chicken cools, use your fingers or forks to shred the meat, making sure to remove all the bones and skin.

Step 3 | Prepare the Ingredients

Prepare the Ingredients

Dice the celery, chop the green onions, and dice the apple.

Step 4 | Mix the Chicken Salad

Mix the Chicken Salad

In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken with the celery, green onions, apple and tomatoes. Stir in the mayonnaise a spoonful at a time until you get the desired creaminess. Add salt, pepper, and mustard (if using), and mix everything well.

Step 5 | Chill and Serve

Chill and Serve

For the best flavor, let the salad sit in the fridge for at least an hour before serving. This will allow all the ingredients to blend together nicely.

Recipe Notes

  • For extra crunch, add chopped celery right before serving.
  • If you like your chicken salad a bit sweeter, add grapes or cranberries.
  • Make sure to debone the chicken thoroughly to avoid any small bones in the salad.

Recipe Variations and Additions

You can customize Brenda Gantt’s Chicken Salad Recipe based on your personal preferences or what you have in your pantry:

  • Grapes and Nuts: Add halved grapes and chopped pecans or walnuts for a delightful sweet and crunchy texture.
  • Dried Fruit: Toss in some dried cranberries or raisins for an added burst of flavor.
  • Avocado: If you love avocados, try mashing one into the salad for a creamy texture with added nutrients.
  • Spices: If you like a bit of spice, add a pinch of paprika or cayenne pepper for a mild kick.
  • Pickles: For a tangy twist, finely chop some pickles or add a spoonful of pickle relish to the mix.

Serving Suggestions

Here are a few ways to serve your delicious chicken salad:

  1. On a Bed of Lettuce: Serve it over a bed of lettuce for a fresh, low-carb option.
  2. As a Sandwich: Pile the chicken salad between two slices of your favorite bread or inside a croissant.
  3. With Crackers: For a simple and light meal, serve the chicken salad with crackers.
  4. In a Wrap: Roll the salad in a tortilla wrap with some extra veggies like lettuce, cucumber, or avocado for a quick, portable lunch.
  5. Stuffed in Tomatoes: Hollow out large tomatoes and stuff them with the chicken salad for a pretty and tasty presentation.

Storage Tips

To keep your chicken salad fresh:

Refrigerate: Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days.

Do Not Freeze: Chicken salad doesn’t freeze well because mayonnaise tends to separate after thawing, affecting the texture and flavor.

Brenda Gantt’s Chicken Salad Recipe FAQs

1. Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Yes, rotisserie chicken works great for this recipe and can save you time. Just shred the meat and use it the same way you would for boiled chicken.

2. Can I add eggs to chicken salad?

Absolutely! Adding hard-boiled eggs is a common addition to chicken salad, adding extra protein and a creamier texture.

3. What can I use instead of mayonnaise?

You can use Greek yogurt or sour cream as a substitute for mayonnaise. These options will give the salad a tangier flavor.

4. Can I make this salad in advance?

Yes, you can make chicken salad a day ahead. In fact, letting it sit in the fridge allows the flavors to meld, making it even tastier.

5. Is this chicken salad gluten-free?

Yes, the chicken salad itself is gluten-free. Just be mindful of what you serve it with, like bread or crackers, if you’re following a gluten-free diet.

6. Can I use canned chicken?

Yes, canned chicken is an option, but fresh or rotisserie chicken will give a better texture and flavor.

7. Can I use a food processor to shred the chicken?

You can, but be careful not to over-process it. Chicken salad is best with slightly chunky chicken pieces, so I prefer to shred it by hand.

Brenda Gantt’s Chicken Salad Recipe

Brenda Gantt’s Chicken Salad Recipe

Yield: 6
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Enjoy Brenda Gantt's Chicken Salad Recipe, a flavorful Southern favorite with tender chicken, celery, green onions, and a crunchy touch of apples. Easy to make!

Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken (cooked and deboned)
  • 3 ribs of celery, diced
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1 apple, diced
  • 1 cup of little tiny tomatoes
  • ½ cup mayonnaise (adjust to taste)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1-2 teaspoons mustard

Instructions

  1. Cook the Chicken: Start by boiling your whole chicken in a pot of water for about an hour or until the meat is tender and falling off the bone. Once the chicken is done, remove it from the pot and let it cool down.
  2. Debone the Chicken: After the chicken cools, use your fingers or forks to shred the meat, making sure to remove all the bones and skin.
  3. Prepare the Ingredients: Dice the celery, chop the green onions, and dice the apple.
  4. Mix the Chicken Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken with the celery, green onions, apple and tomatoes. Stir in the mayonnaise a spoonful at a time until you get the desired creaminess. Add salt, pepper, and mustard (if using), and mix everything well.
  5. Chill and Serve: For the best flavor, let the salad sit in the fridge for at least an hour before serving. This will allow all the ingredients to blend together nicely.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoy making Brenda Gantt’s Chicken Salad Recipe as much as I do! It’s easy, flavorful, and perfect for a variety of meals. Give it a try, and feel free to experiment with different ingredients.

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Author

  • Maria

    Maria Lena is a 35-year-old professional chef based in the USA, known for her innovative approach to cooking. With years of experience in the culinary world, Maria combines traditional techniques with modern flavors, creating unique and delicious dishes. Her passion for food shines through in every recipe she develops, making her a respected figure in the culinary community. When she's not in the kitchen, Maria enjoys exploring new ingredients and experimenting with creative cooking methods, always aiming to bring something fresh and exciting to the table.

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