Crunchy Spicy Chicken Salad 

by
    

Crunchy Spicy Chicken Salad is a delicious and refreshing dish perfect for a light lunch or a quick dinner. This salad combines tender chicken with crunchy vegetables, toasted almonds, and a spicy kick from TABASCO Chipotle Pepper Sauce. It’s easy to make and packed with flavor and texture. 

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped (see notes) 
  • ½ bell pepper, deseeded and finely chopped (choose from red, orange, or yellow) 
  • 1 celery stalk, thinly sliced 
  • 2 scallions, diced 
  • ¼ cup slivered almonds, toasted 
  • 3-4 tablespoons mayonnaise 
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (from ½ lemon) 
  • 2-3 teaspoons TABASCO Chipotle Pepper Sauce (or your preferred hot sauce, use more or less, to taste) 
  • Salt and pepper, to taste (optional) 

Instructions 

Prepare the Ingredients 

  • Chop Chicken: If not already done, chop the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. You can use leftover roast chicken, rotisserie chicken, or poached chicken breasts for this recipe. 
  • Dice Vegetables: Finely dice the bell pepper, thinly slice the celery, and dice the scallions. 

    Toast the Almonds 

    • Toast Almonds: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the slivered almonds until they are golden brown and fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning. This should take about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. 

    Make the Dressing 

    • Combine Dressing Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and TABASCO Chipotle Pepper Sauce. Mix well until smooth. 

    Assemble the Salad 

    • Mix Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chopped chicken, diced bell pepper, sliced celery, diced scallions, and toasted slivered almonds. 
    • Add Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to coat everything evenly. 
    • Season: Taste the salad and add salt and pepper if desired. 

        Serve 

        • Serve: Serve the Crunchy Spicy Chicken Salad chilled or at room temperature. It’s perfect on its own, in a sandwich, or wrapped in a tortilla. 

        Notes 

        • Chicken: For the cooked chicken, you can use leftover roast chicken, store-bought rotisserie chicken, or poached chicken breasts. To poach chicken breasts, simply simmer them in water or broth until cooked through, then let cool before chopping. 
        • Adjust Spice Level: Feel free to adjust the amount of hot sauce to your taste.  

        Conclusion 

        This Crunchy Spicy Chicken Salad is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for any meal. The combination of tender chicken, fresh vegetables, crunchy almonds, and a spicy dressing makes it a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy this salad as a refreshing lunch or a light dinner, and feel free to customize it to your liking.