Southern Chicken Salad with Pecans

Name: Southern Chicken Salad with Pecans
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 4 chicken breasts; 2 tablespoons olive oil; salt; black pepper; 1 ½ teaspoons butter; ½ cup pecans; 3 ribs celery; 1 cup mayonnaise; salt and pepper to taste

User Reviews

5.0

6 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
Servings
8 servings
Calories
402 kcal
Course
Salad
Cuisine
American

Southern Chicken Salad with Pecans

Iris Warren

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My classic Southern Chicken Salad with Pecans recipe is a traditional combination of flavors and textures. It's easy to make and sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

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Ingredients

Servings

4 chicken breasts skin-on, bone-in preferable
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt
black pepper
1 ½ teaspoons butter
½ cup pecans chopped
3 ribs celery finely chopped
1 cup mayonnaise (may need more)
salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Line a roasting tray or cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Place the breasts skin side up on the prepared baking pan. Drizzle the chicken on both sides with olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
Transfer the pan to the oven and cook until chicken is done all the way through. It will take anywhere from 35 to 50 minutes depending on the size of the chicken breasts.
Remove the chicken from the oven and allow it to sit until it's cool enough to handle.
While the chicken cools, put the butter into a small baking pan and place the pan in the oven until the butter melts.
Remove the pan from the oven and add the pecans, stirring to coat them well with the butter.
Return the pan to the oven and cook until the pecans are toasted – about 5-6 minutes. Remove the pecans from the oven and set aside.
When the chicken has cooled, remove the meat from the skin and bones, shredding it some with your fingers as you go. Discard the skin and bones.
Chop the chicken into small pieces.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped chicken, toasted pecans, and celery.
Add the mayonnaise starting with 3/4 cup and adding more as you feel the mixture needs. Stir until thoroughly combined.

Notes

Start with 3/4 cup mayonnaise and add more depending on how much chicken you have. Keep mixing and tasting until you think it's right.
1 cup of halved red seedless grapes may be added.
Stored in an airtight container, the chicken salad should remain fresh for 3-4 days. Remember not to leave it out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Freezing is not recommended.

Nutrition Information

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Serving 1 Calories 402kcal (20%) Carbohydrates 1g (0%) Protein 25g (50%) Fat 33g (51%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 15g Monounsaturated Fat 11g Trans Fat 0.1g Cholesterol 86mg (29%) Sodium 327mg (14%) Potassium 488mg (14%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 146IU (3%) Vitamin C 2mg (2%) Calcium 18mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 402 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving	1
Calories	402kcal	20%
Carbohydrates	1g	0%
Protein	25g	50%
Fat	33g	51%
Saturated Fat	5g	25%
Polyunsaturated Fat	15g	88%
Monounsaturated Fat	11g	55%
Trans Fat	0.1g	5%
Cholesterol	86mg	29%
Sodium	327mg	14%
Potassium	488mg	10%
Fiber	1g	4%
Sugar	1g	2%
Vitamin A	146IU	3%
Vitamin C	2mg	2%
Calcium	18mg	2%
Iron	1mg	6%