Ina Garten Chicken Salad with Broccoli, made with tender chicken crisp-tender broccoli florets crunchy celery and red onion and a light and creamy dressing serves 4-6 and takes approximately 30 minutes to prepare. This refreshing and satisfying salad is perfect for a light lunch, a picnic in the park, or a simple weeknight dinner.
Try More Chicken Recipes
💚 Why You’ll Love This Ina Garten Chicken Salad With Broccoli Recipe:
- Healthy and Delicious: Combines lean protein with nutritious broccoli and other fresh vegetables.
- Easy to Make: Quick and simple, making it ideal for busy individuals.
- Versatile: Enjoy it on its own, in a sandwich, or over a bed of greens.
- Flavorful: The light dressing complements the chicken and broccoli without being overpowering.
❓ What Is Ina Garten Chicken Salad With Broccoli Recipe?
Ina Garten Chicken Salad with Broccoli is a delightful mix of cooked chicken, blanched broccoli florets, and other crisp vegetables all tossed in a light and creamy dressing. It’s a healthy and flavorful twist on classic chicken salad.
🍗 Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- 2 cups broccoli florets, blanched until crisp-tender
- 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
🥗 Instructions:
- Blanch the broccoli florets in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, or until crisp-tender.
- Immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process and preserve their vibrant green color. Drain well.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, blanched broccoli, celery, and red onion.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard.
- Pour the dressing over the chicken and broccoli mixture and toss to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
📍 Recipe Tips
- Blanching is Key: Blanching the broccoli is crucial. It cooks the broccoli just enough to make it tender-crisp while preserving its vibrant green color and nutritional value. Don’t overcook it, or it will become mushy.
- Rotisserie Advantage: Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut for this recipe. It’s already cooked and seasoned, saving you time and effort. Just shred or chop it into bite-sized pieces.
- Finely Chopped Celery and Onion: Chop the celery and red onion finely so they blend well with the other ingredients and don’t overpower the salad. Larger pieces can make the salad difficult to eat.
- Dijon Mustard Tang: Dijon mustard adds a subtle tang and depth of flavor to the dressing. You can substitute another type of mustard if you prefer, but Dijon is recommended.
🍲 What To Serve With Chicken Salad With Broccoli?
Chicken Salad with Broccoli pairs well with toasted pita, croissants, or crackers for a hearty meal. Serve it over mixed greens, quinoa or couscous for a light option. Fresh fruit, roasted sweet potatoes or a side of Chicken Chili complement it beautifully.
🎚 How To Store Leftover Chicken Salad With Broccoli?
- Refrigeration: Store leftover Chicken Salad with Broccoli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Stir before serving, as the dressing may separate.
- Freezing (Not Recommended): Freezing Chicken Salad with Broccoli is not ideal because the mayo or yogurt-based dressing may separate, and the broccoli can become mushy.
FAQs
Should I cook the broccoli before adding it to Chicken Salad With Broccoli?
Broccoli can be added raw for a crunchy texture, but lightly steaming it for 1-2 minutes before adding it to Chicken Salad With Broccoli makes it more tender while preserving its nutrients.
Can I use frozen broccoli in Chicken Salad With Broccoli?
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli in Chicken Salad With Broccoli, but it should be thawed and drained well to remove excess moisture before mixing with other ingredients.
What type of chicken works best for Chicken Salad With Broccoli?
Cooked and shredded rotisserie chicken, poached chicken breasts, or leftover grilled chicken all work well in Chicken Salad With Broccoli for added convenience and flavor.
Why is my Chicken Salad With Broccoli watery?
If Chicken Salad With Broccoli is watery, it may be due to excess moisture from the broccoli or dressing. Pat the broccoli dry before adding it, and use thick dressing to prevent excess liquid.
Can I use canned chicken for Chicken Salad With Broccoli?
Yes, canned chicken can be used in Chicken Salad With Broccoli, but fresh or rotisserie chicken provides a better texture and richer flavor.
More Chicken Recipes:
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 326 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
- Sodium: 523 mg
- Potassium: 286 mg
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 10 g
- Vitamin A: 564 IU
- Vitamin C: 61 mg
- Calcium: 121 mg
- Iron: 1 mg
Ina Garten Chicken Salad With Broccoli
Description
Ina Garten Chicken Salad with Broccoli, made with tender chicken crisp-tender broccoli florets crunchy celery and red onion and a light and creamy dressing serves 4-6 and takes approximately 30 minutes to prepare. This refreshing and satisfying salad is perfect for a light lunch, a picnic in the park, or a simple weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Blanch the broccoli florets in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, or until crisp-tender.
- Immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process and preserve their vibrant green color. Drain well.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, blanched broccoli, celery, and red onion.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard.
- Pour the dressing over the chicken and broccoli mixture and toss to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Blanching is Key: Blanching the broccoli is crucial. It cooks the broccoli just enough to make it tender-crisp while preserving its vibrant green color and nutritional value. Don’t overcook it, or it will become mushy.
Rotisserie Advantage: Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut for this recipe. It’s already cooked and seasoned, saving you time and effort. Just shred or chop it into bite-sized pieces.
Finely Chopped Celery and Onion: Chop the celery and red onion finely so they blend well with the other ingredients and don’t overpower the salad. Larger pieces can make the salad difficult to eat.
Dijon Mustard Tang: Dijon mustard adds a subtle tang and depth of flavor to the dressing. You can substitute another type of mustard if you prefer, but Dijon is recommended.