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Among the list of foods I knew how to make when I left for college were boxed macaroni and cheese, chicken breasts baked in (highly processed store bought) Italian dressing, canned crescent rolls, and chicken salad. Let me tell you what – my cooking skills at the time were nothing to brag about. I have no idea why I didn’t show more interest in learning how to cook or why my parents didn’t put me to work more, but, as a child, unless I was eating I (surprisingly) spent very little time in our kitchen.
My cooking abilities have changed quite a bit since then (thankfully), but it’s hard to beat the nostalgia of familiar things from the old days. So I was a little caught off guard at the grocery store when I stumbled upon an organic version of the staple ingredient of my childhood chicken salad – canned chicken! I didn’t know you could buy organic canned chicken now! So I just had to buy a few cans and try to recreate what I remembered. Granted, the recipe includes store bought mayonnaise, which is technically a rule breaker that we do indulge in on occasion, but that’s how it’s done.
Funny enough, not long after I bought those cans of chicken, our Advertising Manager, Kiran, asked how I would feel about working with Valley Fresh – the maker of organic canned chicken I had literally just purchased! I was like, “Are you spying on me or something?” There’s nothing better than working with sponsors whose products I use and love regardless, so it was obviously a perfect fit.
Making everything from scratch, including cooking all your own chicken, is a wonderful goal, but sometimes life simply gets in the way and the convenience of already cooked chicken can make all the difference. And when it’s certified USDA organic with simple ingredients that don’t include antibiotics or anything artificial, there’s nothing to be guilty of whatsoever. My family gobbled up this chicken salad and asked for more, and the best part was how it took me no time at all to pull it together. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
The Chicken Salad of My Childhood
Ingredients
- 2 5-oz cans chicken organic, drained and shredded, I used Valley Fresh Organic brand
- 1/4 cup relish or finely diced pickles
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic salt
- relish juice or pickle juice
Instructions
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Stir together all ingredients until well combined. Serve over whole-wheat crackers or fried green tomatoes.
Recipe Notes
We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
As I mentioned in the recipe, this chicken salad is simply fabulous over the Fried Green Tomatoes I posted last week!
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Wow, I feel like I’ve missed out! :-) Our chicken salad was either shredded or diced cooked chicken with mayo, curry powder, sliced almonds, and diced apples. Or change out the apples and almonds for sliced grapes and chopped green olives. Never tried it this way, but think I just might…
Are the cans lined with plastic??
Hi there. Here is their website : http://www.valleyfresh.com/product.php?name=chicken-organic.
You could use veganaise as a mayo substitute! We do it often!
This is exactly the way my family made it, too, although my dad usually used tuna. Pretty tasty!
I’d be concerned about BPA in the can lining.
You can substitute mayo with avocado for a healthier version. We love it!
Why not sub the mayo for Greek yogurt? This is my fave!
I tried this as-is and it was very tasty! The sweetness from the relish goes great with savory triscuit crackers! Can’t wait to put this in my husband’s lunch!
I have this recipe at least three times a week for lunch – crave it ! I do love my Triscuits too – gotten to where I throw them in the bowl and crunch up with my fork – YUM ! I do prefer to use tuna most of the time. Gotta try some of the mayo subs!