Description
A zesty and creamy Spicy Chicken Salad featuring a blend of pickled and fresh jalapeños, perfectly balanced with mayonnaise and savory spices. This flavorful salad is quick to prepare, making it an ideal choice for a refreshing lunch or a tasty sandwich filling.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Base
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 3 cups cubed or shredded chicken
Spices & Flavorings
- 3/4 cup finely diced pickled jalapeños
- 3 tablespoons pickled jalapeño juice
- 2–3 fresh jalapeños, seeded and finely diced
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Seasoning salt or salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the mixing base: In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, finely diced pickled jalapeños, pickled jalapeño juice, freshly diced jalapeños, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir these ingredients together using a spatula or hand mixer until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add the chicken: Fold in the cubed or shredded chicken into the jalapeño-mayo mixture, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated with the spicy dressing for consistent flavor.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the salad and adjust the heat or creaminess by adding more fresh jalapeños or jalapeño juice for spice and tanginess, or more mayonnaise for a creamier texture.
- Season to taste: Add seasoning salt or a combination of salt and black pepper to taste, mixing again to incorporate the seasoning throughout the salad.
- Chill before serving: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill, enhancing the overall taste and texture before serving.
Notes
- For extra heat, retain the seeds in the fresh jalapeños or add sliced jalapeño rings as a garnish.
- You can substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier variation.
- This salad pairs well with sandwich bread, crackers, or over a bed of greens for a delicious meal.
- Adjust the pickled jalapeño and juice quantity based on your preference for tanginess and spice level.
- Store leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator and consume within 3 days for best freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: spicy chicken salad, jalapeño chicken salad, creamy chicken salad, no-cook chicken salad, quick chicken salad
