Making the Best Chicken Salad

Most chicken salad recipes contain loads of mayonnaise or dairy products, but not this one. A simple can of coconut milk makes this salad deliciously creamy while roasted chiles, fresh cilantro, sweet fruit and crunchy pecans really bring the flavor. Serve on large butter lettuce leaves. Note: Chicken can be substituted with canned tuna or salmon.

Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 1 (14oz) can coconut milk, full fat

  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

  • 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar

  • 1 Tablespoon coconut oil, melted

  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

  • lemon zest (all you can get from one small lemon)

  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

  • dash salt

  • dash pepper

  • 1 cup celery, finely chopped

  • 1 cup red grapes, halved

  • 1/2 cup pecans, chopped

  • 1 apple, finely chopped

  • 4oz can mild chopped green chiles

  • 1 lb roasted chicken, chopped

Recipe

  1. For the Creamy Coconut Dressing: Combine all of the ingredients in a medium bowl. Whisk well and then set in the fridge to chill while you prepare the salad.

  2. For the Salad: Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Add the creamy coconut dressing and mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with large lettuce leaves and Dijon mustard.

Nutritional Analysis

286 calories, 20g fat, 80mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, and 19g protein

Afsi Felsher