Simple Chicken Salad
Who else loves chicken salad?! I’ve been brainstorming different sandwich ideas for my two girls because they both love a good sandwich for lunch most days. Our standard sandwich during the school week is usually turkey, cheese, and avocado or almond butter and jam. I don’t know why I haven’t thought of adding chicken salad into our rotation. It is so delicious, easy to make, and another great way to get in a couple of plants into my girls bellies.
Want to know why I’m obsessed with my family loading up on plants? Check out Looking to Optimize your Family’s Health? Try this Challenge!
If you are looking for alternatives to sandwiches for your child’s lunches, give Veggie Packed Meat Sauce with pasta a try or Veggie Packed Meatballs. I love using this LunchBot thermos which keeps the pasta warm until lunch.
Ingredients:
3 chicken breasts (cut it in half lengthwise to reduce the cooking time)
1/2 cup red grapes, chopped
1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
4 tablespoons avocado oil based mayonnaise, I like Primal Kitchen or Chosen Foods
1/2 tablespoon cumin
avocado oil
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 F.
Drizzle chicken with avocado oil and bake for about 15 minutes or until fully cooked. I like to cut the chicken and half and check to make sure there is no pink color remaining.
Finely chop or shred into small pieces. I find the tinier the better so it is easier to eat, especially for the little ones.
In a medium bowl, mixing together the chicken (after it has cooled), along with the celery and grapes.
Add in 4 tablespoons of mayo and mix until combined. Add extra if needed to meet your desired consistency.
Add cumin, salt, and pepper and adjust as needed. *
Serve on your favorite bread, wrap, in a lettuce cup, or on top of a salad.
With kids I always like to start with less interns of spices and then have them help me to taste it and add more if needed. Involving kids in the taste testing is a great way to get them involved in the kitchen and help them take ownership over a meal. Asking them if they think the salad needs any more cumin, salt, or pepper is a great way to encourage them to try a bite without actually asking them to take a bite. I also like to ask them if they think it needed anything else. Let them get creative and play around with the recipe to make it their own. This will bring self confidence and enthusiasm to the kitchen which will hopefully encourage more cooking which is always a win in my book!
I hope you enjoy this chicken salad as much as my family does. If you give it a try please report back and let me know what your family rates it using our Taste-O-Meter! Don’t forget to download it and put it on your fridge as a reminder to make trying new foods fun.
