Best 4 Gourmet Cucumber Chicken Salad Recipes

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**Cucumber Chicken Salad: A Refreshing and Flavorful Summer Delight**

Cucumber chicken salad is a classic summer dish that is both refreshing and flavorful. It's perfect for a light lunch or dinner, and it's also a great way to use up leftover chicken. This article features two delicious recipes for cucumber chicken salad: a classic version and a Thai-inspired version. Both recipes are easy to follow and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. The classic recipe features a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing, while the Thai-inspired version has a tangy and spicy dressing made with fish sauce, lime juice, and chili peppers. Both salads are packed with fresh vegetables, including cucumbers, celery, and red onion, and they're sure to be a hit at your next potluck or picnic. So grab your apron and let's get started!

**Recipes:**

1. **Classic Cucumber Chicken Salad:** This recipe features a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing that is perfectly balanced with the fresh vegetables and chicken. It's a classic for a reason, and it's sure to please everyone at your table.

2. **Thai-Inspired Cucumber Chicken Salad:** This recipe takes the classic cucumber chicken salad up a notch with a tangy and spicy dressing made with fish sauce, lime juice, and chili peppers. It's a flavorful and refreshing salad that is sure to wake up your taste buds.

**Tips:**

* For the best flavor, use fresh, ripe cucumbers.
* If you don't have leftover chicken, you can cook some chicken breasts or thighs ahead of time.
* Feel free to add other vegetables to your salad, such as chopped bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas.
* If you don't like mayonnaise, you can substitute Greek yogurt or sour cream.
* Serve your cucumber chicken salad on a bed of lettuce or rice, or wrap it in a tortilla for a tasty wrap.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CUCUMBER CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICHES



Cucumber Chicken Salad Sandwiches image

Dress up chicken salad with crunchy cucumber and dill for a summery sandwich that's ready in just 10 minutes. If you're watching salt, omit it from each handheld to save 295 mg per serving. -Eva Wright, Grant, Alabama

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 10m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 cup cubed cooked chicken breast
1/3 cup chopped seeded peeled cucumber
1/4 cup fat-free mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon dill weed
2 lettuce leaves
4 slices tomato
2 sandwich buns, split

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Place lettuce and tomato on bun bottoms; top with chicken salad. Replace bun tops.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 350 calories, Fat 8g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 57mg cholesterol, Sodium 930mg sodium, Carbohydrate 42g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

BEST CHICKEN SALAD



BEST Chicken Salad image

For a chicken salad that's guaranteed to be a winner, look no further!

Provided by Kimberly Killebrew

Categories     Entree     Main Dish     Side Dish

Time 10m

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 large boneless
1 cup chopped celery
1 1/2 cups halved seedless red grapes
3 green onions (,chopped)
1 cup mayonnaise ((for a healthier choice use Avocado Oil Mayonnaise))
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Place the diced chicken, celery, green onions and grapes in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine.
  • In a medium-sized bowl, add the remaining ingredients to make the sauce and stir to combine. Pour the mayo sauce over the chicken salad and stir to combine and thoroughly coat the salad.
  • Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours before serving.
  • Serve on sandwiches, croissants or in wraps with some lettuce. For a low-carb option, serve on a bed of lettuce with sliced tomato and avocado.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 279 kcal, Carbohydrate 7 g, Protein 7 g, Fat 24 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 37 mg, Sodium 532 mg, Sugar 6 g, ServingSize 1 serving

GOURMET CHICKEN SALAD II



Gourmet Chicken Salad II image

This is a yummy version of an old favorite. Looks and tastes like you put a lot of work into it, but it's very simple. Serve with crackers or on your fave samich rolls. Yum!

Provided by BASKETBALLMAMA

Categories     Salad

Time 20m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1 ½ cups chicken broth
1 cup chopped walnuts
½ cup chopped celery
½ cup crumbled blue cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons brown mustard
salt and pepper to taste
garlic powder to taste

Steps:

  • Place chicken in a skillet, and sprinkle with lemon juice and 1/2 the rosemary. Pour broth into the skillet. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer 25 minutes, or until chicken juices run clear. Drain, cool, and dice chicken.
  • In a large bowl, toss chicken with lemon zest, remaining rosemary, walnuts, celery, blue cheese, mayonnaise, brown mustard, salt and pepper, and garlic powder. Chill in the refrigerator at least 1 hour before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 393 calories, Carbohydrate 5.1 g, Cholesterol 47.2 mg, Fat 35.5 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 16.3 g, SaturatedFat 6.2 g, Sodium 354.4 mg, Sugar 0.9 g

GOURMET CHICKEN SALAD



Gourmet Chicken Salad image

This isn't your typical chicken salad. The sweetness of the seedless grapes, the lightness of the whipping cream, the crunch of the nuts and the dried fruit make a perfect complement to this chicken salad. It's just like chicken salad you would expect to find at a fancy restaurant, but it's super easy to make. I like to eat this with crackers as much as I like eating it as a sandwich. Revised 6/13/16 to lower the salt content.

Provided by Crafty Lady 13

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 1h

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 1/2 cups cooked chicken, diced and chilled
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup seedless grapes, cut in half
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup pecan halves, chopped or 1/4 cup slivered almonds
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl, whip cream to soft peaks.
  • Combine meat, celery, grapes, dried fruit and nuts (or Salad Pizazz), parsley, salt and mayonnaise with whipped cream. Chill.
  • Note: Instead of using the dried fruit and the nuts, I always use Salad Pizazz which is a gourmet salad topping that can be found in grocery stores and comes in a variety of flavors. For this salad I like to use the Cherry Cranberry Pecano, the Orange Cranberry Almondine or the Raspberry Cranberry Walnut Frisco.

Tips:

  • Choose the right cucumber: English cucumbers are best for this salad because they have fewer seeds and a milder flavor. Persian cucumbers can also be used.
  • Peel the cucumbers if desired: Peeling the cucumbers is optional, but it will give the salad a smoother texture. If you do peel the cucumbers, be sure to use a vegetable peeler that is sharp and clean.
  • Shred the cucumbers: The easiest way to shred the cucumbers is to use a box grater. You can also use a food processor fitted with a shredding blade.
  • Salt the cucumbers: Salting the cucumbers helps to draw out excess moisture and prevent them from becoming watery. Be sure to rinse the cucumbers well after salting them.
  • Chill the cucumbers: Chilling the cucumbers before adding them to the salad helps to keep them crisp and refreshing.
  • Use high-quality chicken: The quality of the chicken you use will make a big difference in the flavor of the salad. Look for chicken that is free-range and organic, if possible.
  • Cook the chicken properly: Be sure to cook the chicken until it is cooked through, but not overcooked. Overcooked chicken will be dry and tough.
  • Shred the chicken: The easiest way to shred the chicken is to use two forks. You can also use a food processor fitted with a shredding blade.
  • Use a variety of vegetables: This salad is a great way to use up leftover vegetables. Some good options include celery, carrots, bell peppers, and onions.
  • Use a light dressing: A light dressing will help to keep the salad from becoming too heavy. A simple vinaigrette or Greek yogurt dressing are both good options.

Conclusion:

Cucumber chicken salad is a refreshing and flavorful salad that is perfect for a light lunch or dinner. It is also a great way to use up leftover chicken and vegetables. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious cucumber chicken salad that your family and friends will love.

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