Cajun Chicken Salad with Pistachios
Who says chicken salad needs to be boring? Not I! In fact, chicken salad is actually a great canvas for some unique flavor combinations. You may have heard of curry chicken salad with grapes. We’ve taken this blank canvas on flavor combination further, and created a creamy and spicy Cajun Chicken Salad with a crunch. Carrots, celery, onions, and pistachios give this flavorful salad a great texture.
These ingredients also make up a healthy and nutritious dish. You can easily make this up on a Sunday night, and eat it all week for lunch, or add it to your dinner menu. Give this one a try all by itself, or on a poorboy roll for a lazy man’s Cajun dish!
Cajun Chicken Salad with Pistachios
4 servings, 569 calories, 31.9 g fat, 18.5 g carbs, 52.7 g protein
Ingredients:
3 chicken breasts
3/4 teaspoon garlic salt
3/4 cup chopped celery
3/4 cup chopped carrots
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon olive oil
2/3 cup whole pistachios, shelled
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon pepper (+ pepper for the chicken)
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon Franks red hot
Instructions:
1.Add the olive oil to a large pan and heat on medium-high heat. Sprinkle the chicken breasts evenly with pepper, garlic salt, and 1/2 tablespoon of the Cajun seasoning on both sides. Add the chicken to the hot pan, and saute for 5 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. Make sure the chicken reaches 160 degrees before pulling it from the pan. Allow to cool.
2. Shred the chicken once it has cooled enough to handle.
3. Chop the carrots, celery, and onions.
4. Mix the mayonnaise, 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, 1 tablespoon olive oil, pepper, garlic powder, Dijon mustard, and Franks red hot in a large bowl.
5. Add the chicken, celery, carrots, onion, and pistachios. Mix well.
6. Enjoy on a sandwich or with a fork by itself!
What’s your favorite thing about chicken salad? Let us know in the comments section!
Crystal is the founder of Simply Playful Fare. She has been in the kitchen for as long as she can remember. She has a degree in English with an emphasis in creative writing.