Hot chicken salad is a delicious and comforting dish typically made with cooked chicken, celery, onions, mayonnaise, and sometimes other ingredients such as almonds, cheese, or herbs. It’s often baked until bubbly and served hot. Here’s a basic recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
- 4 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds (optional)
- 1/4 cup grated cheese (such as cheddar or Swiss, optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, celery, onion, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix well to combine.
- If using, gently fold in the slivered almonds and grated cheese.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- In a small bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs and melted butter until well combined.
- Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the chicken mixture.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the mixture is heated through.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
- Serve hot as a main dish or a side dish. Enjoy!
Feel free to adjust the ingredients to suit your taste preferences. You can also customize the recipe by adding other ingredients like diced bell peppers, water chestnuts, or different seasonings.
