Chicken salad

Chicken Salad

Chicken salad (/ˈtʃɪkɪn ˈsæləd/) is a type of salad that primarily consists of chicken, and often includes various other ingredients, such as mayonnaise, celery, and onion.

Etymology

The term "chicken salad" is derived from the English words "chicken" and "salad". "Chicken" is from the Old English "cicen", referring to the bird, and "salad" comes from the French "salade", which in turn comes from the Latin "salata", meaning "salted".

Ingredients

The primary ingredient in chicken salad is chicken. This is typically cooked and then chopped or shredded. Other common ingredients include mayonnaise, which acts as a binder and adds creaminess; celery, which adds crunch and a slight vegetal flavor; and onion, which adds a bit of sharpness and depth of flavor. Some variations may also include grapes, nuts, or herbs.

Variations

There are many variations of chicken salad, often based on regional preferences or personal taste. For example, some versions may include hard-boiled egg, pickle relish, or mustard. Others may feature a variety of vegetables, fruits, or nuts. Some versions may also use a different type of dressing, such as yogurt or sour cream, instead of or in addition to mayonnaise.

Related Terms

Salad: A dish consisting of a mixture of small pieces of food, usually featuring vegetables.
Mayonnaise: A thick, creamy dressing or sauce made from egg yolks, oil, and vinegar or lemon juice.
Celery: A marshland plant in the family Apiaceae that has been cultivated as a vegetable since antiquity.
Onion: A vegetable that is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Allium.