Lighter Chicken Salad Recipes

Steps:

• Place almonds in a frying pan. Toast over medium-high heat, shaking frequently. Watch carefully, as they burn easily.
• In a medium bowl, mix together mayonnaise, lemon juice, and pepper. Toss with chicken, almonds, and celery.

Steps:

• Bring 1 inch salted water to a boil in a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid. Add chicken, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 5 minutes. Off heat, let chicken (still covered) steam until cooked through, 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from skillet; when cool enough, cut into chunks or shred with 2 forks.
• In a medium bowl, stir together mayonnaise, buttermilk, mustard, lemon juice, and hot sauce. Stir in chicken, celery, onion, and parsley; season with salt and pepper. Serve on bread or over greens.

Steps:

• Make the croutons: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Toss the bread cubes in a large bowl with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Spread on a baking sheet and bake until crisp, tossing halfway through, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, make the dressing: Puree the yogurt, 2 tablespoons parmesan, the garlic, anchovies, lemon juice, mustard and 2 tablespoons water in a mini food processor or a blender. Pound the chicken between 2 pieces of plastic wrap with a heavy skillet until 1/2 inch thick. Brush a rimmed baking sheet with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil; add the chicken and season with salt. Brush evenly with 1 tablespoon of the dressing and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons parmesan. Broil, undisturbed, until golden and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board. Toss the lettuce, croutons and the remaining dressing and 3/4 cup parmesan in a large bowl. Thinly slice the chicken. Divide the salad among bowls, top with the chicken and season with pepper.
• Photograph by Christopher Testani

Steps:

• In small bowl, beat all dressing ingredients with wire whisk until well blended.
• On individual serving plates, arrange lettuce, chicken, tomatoes and egg. Spoon dressing over top. Sprinkle with onions and cheese.