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Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Secret Ingredient Chicken Salad

I had half a mind to just write one line for this entire post:
What can really be said about chicken salad that hasn’t been said before?
And then that would have been the end. Badass, right?? But because I’m too arrogant to let brevity speak for itself, I’m writing more than that. I mean, I have to because how else would you know what makes THIS chicken salad more delicious than all the others before it? Because there’s a secret ingredient in here that makes ALL the difference that you can’t see with the naked eye and that you might simply overlook in the recipe. That miracle of miracles? Cumin. 


I had a pretty big build up for that, so I guess it was destined to disappoint, but really, it makes a difference, so don’t omit it from the recipe, okay?!


I also tossed in red grapes, my chicken salad standby, but I got a little crazy with some tarragon and chopped walnuts too. The juicy grapes with the crunchy walnuts and the warm flavor of cumin really hits you—kinda like the way opening your credit card statement does, only with less sads!


Has anyone else does this, with the cumin in their chicken salad?? Who else uses grapes? What's your preference for chicken salad?

 Cumin Chicken Salad
  • 4 large chicken breasts
  • ¼ cup mayo (homemade is best); or start with a couple Tbsp and work up to as much or as little mayo as you like
  • 1 Tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
  • ½ cup red grapes, halved
  • 2 Tbsp walnuts, chopped (more/less if you prefer)
  • 1 tsp cumin (NOT optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

1. Prepare your chicken the way you like; I steamed mine because I like to do it that way. Allow to cool, then chop into bite-sized chunks.
2. In a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients until well mixed. Refrigerate for a few hours and serve!

10 comments:

  1. I love grapes and tarragon in Chicken salad and I really don't make it enough. Also, I heard a term you might like "Archevore" - it's like an omnivore but primal based. Might work for you. I don't know. Anyway, cumin - let's do it.

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  2. I'm obsessed with cumin, it does amazing things to ordinary ingredients. Yum!

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  3. OMG this looks so good! Aaaand it's lunch time aaand I'm starving. Now I need to go try to find good chicken salad in Rosslyn which we all know is going to end in disappointment. THANKS.

    xx,
    Erin

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  4. Hmmmm...I like, no LOVE, cumin...so I will definitely try this. I also put red grapes in chicken salad, but then you already know that. Lately I also like dried tart cherries in my chicken salad. Chop them a little so you don't have to use so many. I've been cutting the mayo with greek yogurt lately, makes it tangy in an interesting way.

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  5. I have an amazing sweet chicken salad recipe, as well as a savory one, but this could be the "best of both worlds" I've been searching for. Thanks! Do you have a homemade mayo recipe??

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  6. YUMMM. I never use tarragon. Now I need to.

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  7. This looks totally fantastic. I used to hate mayo, but then I stumbled across the homemade version on The Clothes Make the Girl (I think...) and now I'm kind of obsessed.

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  8. I love chicken, I love salad...best combination in the universe for me! Thanks!

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  9. Curmin!
    Is that what is actually the secret taste of all those chicken salads that you buy?
    I've been trying to find out what it is, but beside of some asparges (which I can't make taste the way the pro does it) I have never found out.

    Definately worth a try for me - other secret ingredients are welcome as well! ;)
    Thanks for sharing.

    Chris, Denmark

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