Sunny Summer Chicken Salad Recipes

SUNNY'S GRILLED COBB PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• For the grill: Prepare a grill for high heat.
• Cut each chicken breast open and in half to make 4 thin chicken fillets. With a meat mallet, gently pound each chicken fillet to even thickness. Sprinkle the chicken with the paprika and some salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil.
• Put both the chicken and corn on the grill above the direct heat. Cook the chicken on one side for about 4 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. For the corn, simply rotate to get charred and blistered kernels on all sides. This takes about the same time as the chicken, so tend to both simultaneously. Remove the chicken from the grill and cover with aluminum foil for 10 minutes. Allow the corn to cool enough to cut the kernels off, then do just that. Put the corn in a bowl. Once rested, finely chop the chicken: not big chunks, nice lil bits the size of peas.
• For the pasta: Bring a pot of water to a boil and season with salt. Cook the pasta to al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
• For the dressing: In a small food processor, add the mayonnaise, avocado, scallion, lime zest and juice, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Blend until smooth; if needed, add a splash of water to thin to desired consistency.
• For the salad: To the large bowl of pasta, add the sun-dried tomatoes and dressing and mix to combine. Arrange the chicken, corn, eggs, bacon and cheese on top of the pasta salad.

SUMMER CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• For the salad: Put the chicken breasts into a large plastic storage bag. Pound with a mallet or rolling pin to flatten to 1/4-inch uniform thickness. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper.
• Heat a grill and drizzle with the olive oil. Grill the chicken on both sides until done, about 7 minutes per side. (Rotate halfway during grilling each side to ensure pretty grill marks.) Set aside to cool.
• Grill the corn for a few minutes, until still crunchy but colored. With a very sharp knife, shave the kernels off each corn cob. Combine with the dill, celery and onions in a large bowl. Set aside.
• For the dressing: Mix together the feta, half-and-half, mayonnaise and sour cream in a bowl. Stir in the sugar, lemon juice and some salt and pepper. Stir, and then taste. Add more salt if necessary; do not undersalt!
• Slice the chicken on the bias to create flat, randomly shaped pieces. Throw into the bowl with the celery, onions and corn. Stir to combine. Pour half of the dressing over the ingredients and toss gently. Add more as desired, but don't overcoat the salad; it should be light! At the end, toss in the blueberries to lightly coat them in the dressing.
• Spoon the salad into butter lettuce cups and then sprinkle individual helpings with feta and extra dill.

SUNNY SUMMER CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Grill the chicken breasts on either a foreman grill or an outdoor grill- which is obviously better tasting -- Let cool enough to handle and start to rip/shred into smaller pieces. Not shredded. but I like the ripped up texture rather than 'cubes' of chicken. It looks much more organic too.
• Put all of the ingredients into a bowl and mix -- EXCEPT FOR THE CASHEWS!
• Cashews are optional, and NEEEEEED to be put on lastly, to maintain the crunchyness they deserve. So. 1 1/2 cups cashews if you will be serving that day and that day only- can you mix in -- otherwise, just sprinkle each serving with a tablespoon or 2 before you serve.
• Mix all together but save those cashews for the garnish -- If you put them on and mix them in- they get soggy.
• Refrigerate at least 5 hours- best if you can leave it in the fridge overnight to let the flavors mingle.

SUMMER SPLASH CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix the first five ingredients until blended. Add chicken, grapes, mango and watermelon; toss gently to combine., Divide lettuce among four plates; top with chicken mixture. Sprinkle with pistachios.

SUMMER CHICKEN MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, mix chicken, peas, onions, celery, basil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, salt and pepper. Drain macaroni; rinse with cold water, then drain again. Add to chicken mixture., Mix yogurt, mayonnaise and remaining lemon juice. Add to salad and mix well. Add peaches and cheeses; toss gently. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Sprinkle with pistachios before serving.

SUMMER CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the chicken, celery, grapes and raisins. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, salt and pepper. Add to chicken mixture; toss to coat. Stir in pecans. Serve on lettuce. Garnish with tomato if desired.