Newk's Chicken Salad Recipe
Newk's Chicken Salad Recipe is a popular dish from the restaurant Newk's Eatery. It features a flavorful combination of grilled chicken, mixed greens, fresh vegetables, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing. The salad is known for its delicious taste and is a favorite among customers at Newk's Eatery.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Skillet or Saucepan
- Plastic Wrap or Lid
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs of boneless chicken breast cooked and shredded into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup of finely diced celery
- 1 cup of red seedless grapes halved
- ½ cup of red onion finely chopped
- ¾ cup of chopped pecans toasted for added depth
- 2 cups of mayonnaise for a creamy base
- 3 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice for a bit of tang
- 1 ½ teaspoons of yellow mustard or honey mustard for a subtle zing
- 2 teaspoons of fresh parsley finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon of onion powder
- ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of seasoned salt or your favorite spice blend
Instructions
- Begin by cooking the chicken. You can boil, steam, or sauté the chicken breasts with a pinch of salt until they’re fully cooked yet tender. Let them cool, and then shred them into small strips.
- Add the shredded chicken, celery, red onion, and toasted pecans in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl, create the dressing by combining mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, parsley, onion powder, black pepper, sugar, salt, and seasoned salt. Mix well until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and fold gently until everything is well-coated.
- Add the halved grapes last to keep them intact and fold them in carefully.
- Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. This step is crucial as it allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Serve chilled. This salad is versatile; enjoy it over a bed of greens, between slices of artisan bread, or with a side of your favorite soup.
Notes
Perfect Cooking Tips
For the perfect Newk’s Chicken Salad Recipe, keep these tips in mind:- Chicken Preparation: Cook your chicken just right – tender and moist. You can poach, roast, or even use rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Dressing Balance: Whisk your dressing until creamy and taste as you go. The right balance of tangy and sweet will make your salad pop.
- Freshness Counts: Use fresh ingredients for the crunchiest celery, the juiciest grapes, and the most flavorful onions.
- Toast Your Nuts: Lightly toast the pecans to deepen their nutty flavor, adding a rich contrast to the salad.
- Chill Time: Let the salad chill in the fridge for at least an hour before serving. This melds the flavors beautifully.
- Serve Fresh: Enjoy the salad within a day or two to savor the best texture and freshness of the ingredients.