When I make roast chicken for dinner, I often prepare two so I can have this chicken salad on hand for weekday lunches. But if I’m not roasting chicken for dinner, I have been known to pick up a rotisserie chicken from the market for use in this salad, especially if I’ve got a busy week ahead.
You’ll notice there are apples in the recipe, but don’t let that fool you. This isn’t a sweet Waldorf chicken salad. This salad is for those days when there’s too much going on and you want something easy that will help you feel nourished, grounded, and satisfied. And if you took the time to make Marc Sinclair’s walnut bread (recipe above), you just might feel like you’ve won the day. Stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container, chicken salad will stay fresh for 4–5 days.
SERVES 4–6
¾–1 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
½ teaspoon ground mustard
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
4 cups shredded chicken
1 finely chopped small red onion
2 finely chopped small apples
½ cup chopped walnuts
To make the dressing, combine ¾ cup mayonnaise with thyme, rosemary, ground mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
In a large bowl, add shredded chicken, red onion, apples, and walnuts. Stir in the dressing until well coated. Add more mayo and salt until you reach the desired consistency and taste.
Wine Pairing
2022 Maison L’Envoyé Vieilles Vignes Chardonnay
French Chardonnays are often a bit tighter, leaner, and more refreshing than those grown in other countries, with flint or stone flavors coming from the Burgundy region’s limestone terroir in which the grapes are grown. They are traditionally enjoyed with poultry dishes, and this particular wine makes an excellent companion to chicken salad, especially when paired with freshly baked walnut bread.
Available at Hungry Moose Market & Deli, 209 Aspen Leaf Dr., Big Sky; $26
Recommendation by Norm Page, sommelier at The WineTrust, Bozeman.
