You might be noticing an innocent looking white head at the edge of the table that belongs to Gracie, or like her, you might be looking at Sweet Summer Chicken Salad. . .
Don’t let her sweet looks deceive you and whatever you do, don’t turn your back and walk away. She’s biding her time, moments away from jumping on the table and devouring the chicken salad. . .
{Gracie, Chicken Salad Thief}
Note to self: Ignore the whines to come out on the porch when chicken is present.
I’m doing some menu planning and auditioning chicken salad recipes for a shower I’m helping give in a few weeks. I had some peaches from the Farmers’ Market and decided to try a recipe for Party Chicken Salad.
Fresh peaches add the sweet flavor of summer and I made a few changes to the recipe to add some additional sweetness.
Ingredients
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup minced sweet onion (I used half a shallot for a milder flavor)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil (I used chopped mint)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
4 cups chopped cooked chicken breast
4 small fresh, firm, ripe peaches, peeled and diced
*2 tablespoons honey (*my addition)
Garnishes: fresh basil or mint sprigs, fresh blackberries
Preheat oven to 350°. Bake pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack (about 15 minutes).
Stir together mayonnaise and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Fold in pecans, chicken, and peaches; cover and chill 2 hours. Garnish, if desired.
Gracie-approved chicken salad!
She says to pass along that mint was a nice addition, but basil would be wonderful too, but it’s doing poorly with our excess rain.
You can find the original recipe and printable version for Party Chicken Salad, courtesy of Southern Living, here.
Your chicken salad looks gorgeous. My little dog who is 14 would be right there too. Who doesn’t love chicken salad. Yours looks extra beautiful !
Oh my, what a great looking salad. Just what a warm summer day calls for!
I love chicken and peaches .. sounds like the perfect match. Thank you, Mary and Gracie! :)
xx
This sounds delicious!…and is going on my “make this soon” list! What is that yummy looking bread?…do we have a recipe for it?
It’s a cracker :)
Oh that Gracie just knows what is good!….Cannot blame her for being a “culinary expert”…the chicken salad looks amazing and love those plates!…they go so well with that adorable runner/placement (?)…Who is the manufacturer of the basket weave plates? Love them! Have a great weekend Mary!
Thanks Shirley! They’re Oneida Westerly Basket and a dish towel :)
We get that cranberry-almond crisp at COSTCO and LUV it! franki
Gracie is a cutie and sounds like she just can’t help herself…she enjoys fine food and lovely table settings :) The salad sounds delicious!
Did she really eat the chicken salad? Peaches and all?? What was Chloe doing? This recipe sounds delightful for the shower, it will get gobbled up then for sure! You can’t have too many plates, you just can’t! I haven’t gotten into melamine though, even though yours are adorable. I love how you garnished the dish with the gourmet wafer, blackberries and mint, so enticing, poor Gracie, no wonder she couldn’t resist!
Jenna
Oh yes peaches & all… she did not discriminate! Gracie is like a cat, she can jump and land anywhere. Chloe is not svelte enough to jump on the table so she missed a lip-smacking opportunity and a good smacking :)
The chicken salad looks wonderful, but I see no evidence of salad on Gracie’s whiskers. She is beautiful and makes me miss my bichon even more. Hugs to the little white flashes.
Gracie knows a good thing when she “smells” it. Sadie would be there right beside her. ;-)
This recipe is different and looks party worthy. I’m going to try it and take it to a party Monday night. Thanks!
MMM, can’t wait to try this recipe, chicken salad is my FAVORITE!!! I amde your orzo salad last night to take to our clubhouse social tonight. It is delicious! (had to sample it right away)!!!! Gracie is the cutest thing ever. I could just kiss her. I can’t blame her for coming after the salad:):) Have a great weekend, I am going to TARGET!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s a beautiful salad, Mary. I can almost taste it.
Love that shot of Gracie looking over the table.
Mary, that chicken salad looks wonderful! Who can blame Gracie? She is so adorable! Love the plates, too!
I agree with Gracie…that salad does sound good and the dishes are very summery!
I found some summery melamine dishes with a hibiscus design on eBay and still haven’t used them. Must find a way to use them soon
you made us all (((((((((((smile))))))))))) Wonderful !!!!!!!!!
I don’t blame Gracie..I’d be checking out your chicken salad, too. The addition of peaches, sounds delicious. Love your styling, as always. Have a great weekend. Looks like the weather will be good.
xo
anything with basil that is good enough for gracie is good enough for me!
I agree with Gracie, I’m whining, too!!
Such a summery looking salad. I love fruit with chicken in salads. Can’t wait to try.
Oh this looks so good. I will definitely have to make some. Thanks for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
This sounds absolutely delicious! And it’s pretty too! I’d love for you to link this up to our All Things Thursday Blog Hop that goes live at 8pm Central tonight. Hope to see you there!
Blessings,
Nici