Last updated on February 18th, 2024 at 06:37 pm
This easy cape cod chicken salad recipe is incredibly simple to prepare and requires only ten minutes. It’s fresh, creamy, and delicious.
breezy seaside flavor with this creamy cape cod chicken salad recipe loaded with tender chicken, crispy veggies, sweet fruits, and crunchy nuts. Our easy homemade chicken salad features a tangy mayo dressing tying it all together for the perfect summer side dish. Make this classic Northeast recipe at home now!
Cape Cod is known for many culinary delights, but few compare to the rich, creamy chicken salad recipe that shares its name. The Willow Tree Farm in Attleboro, Massachusetts has been producing this fan favorite for decades, earning praise both near and far.
Their chicken salad often outshines the watered-down versions found in supermarkets. It features tender chicken pieces enveloped in a perfect blend of mayonnaise, celery, and seasonings. Even people who typically shy away from chicken salad find themselves hooked after the first taste.
Recreating an authentic Cape Cod chicken salad recipe at home brings the spirit of New England right to your kitchen. A scoop of this makes for a light summer meal, while slathered between slices of bread satisfies any time of year. Follow this cherished Cape Cod chicken salad recipe and enjoy a true taste of the Cape.
The Dressing: Crafting the Perfect Blend for Cape Cod Salad
The dressing sets this cape cod chicken salad recipe apart. While the chicken and vegetables are important, the mayonnaise-based dressing ties everything together. It blends velvety mayonnaise with a touch of orange blossom honey, adding a subtle sweetness that enlivens the entire dish. Making the dressing separately allows the flavors to mingle, but stirring everything together works well too. Either way, you end up with a creamy, tangy coating that permeates the salad, uniting the ingredients into a cohesive, crave-worthy bite.
Choosing the Right Chicken for Cape Cod Salad
When recreating this classic cape cod chicken salad recipe at home, opting for the right chicken is key. Rotisserie chicken offers ease of use and deep flavor. For a lighter salad, grilled chicken breasts provide a healthy way to prepare the key protein. Juicy chicken thighs lend moisture and texture. While convenient, the canned chicken won’t provide the same fresh taste. Ultimately, poaching or baking chicken yourself results in the ideal texture and flavor for this creamy, nostalgic salad.
How to Make Cape Cod Chicken Salad
Ingredients You’ll Need for Cape Cod Chicken Salad
- 4 skin-on, bone-in chicken breasts (yields about 4 cups of minced meat)
- 4 teaspoons olive oil
- 4 teaspoons chicken rub seasoning
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- 1 Package Craisins (1/2 chopped fine).
- 2 celery ribs, very finely minced
- 1 large scallion, very finely minced
- 1 ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Step By Step Direction with Pictures
Follow these simple steps for preparing an authentic cape cod chicken salad recipe bursting with flavor.
Step 1: Roast Chicken Breasts
Preheat oven to 325°F. Rub chicken breasts with oil and seasoning. Place on a baking sheet and roast for 45-55 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Let cool completely on the baking sheet.
Step 2: Toast Pecans
While the chicken is roasting, prepare the pecans. Place chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium-high heat. Toss frequently for 2-5 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
Step 3: Shred Chicken
Once chicken breasts have cooled, use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Discard any bones or skin.
Step 4: Prep Vegetables
While the chicken is cooling, mince the celery and slice the scallions. Place in a bowl along with craisins.
Step 5: Make Chicken Salad
In a large bowl, mix the shredded chicken, toasted pecans, craisins, celery, and scallions until combined.
Step 6: Make Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, vinegar, salt and pepper.
Step 7: Fold in Dressing
Pour dressing over the chicken mixture. Gently fold them together until everything is fully coated.
Step 8: Chill & Serve
Refrigerate cape cod chicken salad for 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to develop. Enjoy on biscuits, stuffed in tomatoes, or on top of leafy greens for a taste of New England.
Easy Add-ins for Cape Cod Chicken Salad
When recreating this cape cod chicken salad recipe at home, consider additions to brighten up the classic flavor profile. Crisp bell peppers, sliced scallions, or red onion introduce welcome crunch. Stir in paprika or poppy seeds for extra dimension. For variation, crumble in bold blue cheese or channel chicken Waldorf flavors by mixing in sweet apple chunks and toasted walnuts. Little custom tweaks make this chicken salad truly your own.
Conclusion
This classic cape cod chicken salad recipe truly transports you to breezy New England shores with its creamy dressing and summery flavor profile. By now I hope you’re inspired to recreate this tangy chicken salad featuring tasty mix-ins like crisp veggies, sweet dried fruits, and crunchy nuts.
With shredded chicken, a zesty dressing, and your choice of mix-ins, you can easily customize this chicken salad to suit your tastes. Feel free to riff on the ingredients while maintaining the nostalgic essence everyone loves. Served stuffed in tomatoes, between slices of bread, or atop leafy greens, this cape cod chicken salad recipe hits the spot.
I hope you’ll give this sensational, seafood-free chicken salad a try soon. Let me know if you have any other beloved salads you’d like to see me recreate. Which ingredients make your favorite chicken salad shine? I always love hearing reader suggestions for fun, seasonal recipes to add to my repertoire.
FAQs about Cape Cod Chicken Salad
What chicken works best for this cape cod chicken salad recipe?
Answer: Shredded rotisserie or poached chicken breasts provide ideal texture and moisture. Chopped cooked chicken thighs or tenderloins also work well.
When should I mix in the dressing?
Answer: Aim to dress the salad while the just-cooked chicken is still warm to allow flavors to marry. But let the chicken cool slightly so you can handle it.
What ingredient swaps work in this recipe?
Answer: Try pecans instead of walnuts. Add red onion, lemon juice, or herbs to switch up flavors. Greek yogurt can be substituted for some mayo.
How long does prepped chicken salad stay fresh?
Answer: Store cape cod chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. The flavors continue developing over time.
Simple and Quick Cape Cod Chicken Salad
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Stovetop
- Colander
- Two forks
- Large Bowl
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Cutting board and knife
Ingredients
- 4 skin-on
- 4 teaspoons olive oil
- 4 teaspoons chicken rub seasoning
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- 1 Package Craisins 1/2 chopped fine.
- 2 celery ribs very finely minced
- 1 large scallion very finely minced
- 1 ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Rub chicken breasts with oil and seasoning. Place on a baking sheet and roast for 45-55 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Let cool completely on the baking sheet.
- While the chicken is roasting, prepare the pecans. Place chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium-high heat. Toss frequently for 2-5 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Once chicken breasts have cooled, use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Discard any bones or skin.
- While the chicken is cooling, mince the celery and slice the scallions. Place in a bowl along with craisins.
- In a large bowl, mix the shredded chicken, toasted pecans, craisins, celery, and scallions until combined.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, vinegar, salt and pepper.
- Pour dressing over the chicken mixture. Gently fold them together until everything is fully coated.
- Refrigerate cape cod chicken salad for 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to develop. Enjoy on bread, stuffed in tomatoes, or on top of leafy greens for a taste of New England.
At Bridge House Tavern, we’re more than a team of food enthusiasts; we’re a culinary journey waiting to be savored. Our five-member crew is on a relentless quest to explore, create, and share the wonders of the gastronomic world.
