Cape Cod Hen Salad Recipe: 15-Minute Picnic Meal

When you’re in search of a cranberry rooster salad recipe that can blow your thoughts… look no additional. We’ve made this Cape Cod Hen Salad month-to-month for years, ever since we recreated it from our favourite bagel deli within the neighborhood (it has the perfect taste!). As a cousin to the equally scrumptious apple and grape-filled Hen Waldorf salad, this scrumptious salad is ideal for a picnic, packed lunch, or any out of doors outing. Whether or not you’re headed to the park, the seaside, a household outing, and even tailgating, this meal is tremendous simple to pack and revel in on the go. 

That is additionally generally known as “New England Hen Salad” if you happen to’re in search of that, This Cape Cod model is a flavorful twist on the conventional rooster salad however with cranberries, pecans and poppy seeds added. I find it irresistible a lot greater than the unique rooster salad. 

I additionally included simple (examined!) substitutions under to make this recipe, gluten-free, vegan, WW pleasant, and low carb. 

Components

• 4 cups chopped cooked rooster (We maintain the Costco model of shredded rooster available for this).
• 3 celery ribs, diced
• 1 cup sweetened dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
• 1/4 cup diced purple onion

Dressing Components:

• 1 1/2 cups mayo
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Elective Sandwich Components: 

Serves: 8

Directions

1. Into a big bowl, add your chopped cooked rooster.
2. Add in your diced celery, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, and diced purple onions.
3. In a smaller bowl, combine mayonnaise, honey, and poppy seeds to create a creamy dressing.
4. Pour the dressing over the rooster combination and season with salt and black pepper.
5. Serve and revel in!

Now, let’s discuss some (examined!) enjoyable variations for each food regimen of this basic Cape Cod Hen Salad recipe. As a result of everyone has totally different preferences and a few persons are on a medically restrictive food regimen, When you’re like me and simply use rotisserie rooster and even canned rooster (it sounds gross, however belief me, it’s fairly tasty and a nice backup meal), or the shredded rooster from Costco, you possibly can whip this up in simply quarter-hour and meal prep it for the following 2-3 days. 

Variations for Vegan/Low Fodmap/Keto/WW/Low Calorie Food plan

1. Keto or low-Carb Choice: Swap out the honey for two teaspoons of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard to maintain it keto-friendly.
2. Low FODMAP: Use inexperienced onions (or chives) as a substitute of purple onions, and make sure the mayo is freed from high-FODMAP substances (you need to use the Fig App to test for Fodmap-free industrial product and types). 
3. Vegan: Use Hellman’s vegan mayo as a substitute, and purchase Butler’s Soy Curls right here (they’re laborious to search out in shops however they’re AMAZING as an alternative to diced rooster – 4 out of 4 of my non-vegan besties will fortunately eat these rather than rooster – which is the best type of reward there’s as a result of they honestly hate vegan meals. I believe Butler’s soy curls style precisely like rooster and might’t determine why they don’t carry them in each retailer that sells inconceivable burgers. Butler’s soy curls come dehydrated, so to make use of them- you simply pour heat water over them and allow them to rehydrate for 10 minutes whilst you chop the remainder of the substances. 
4. WW (Weight Watchers): Use half fat-free Greek yogurt (or low-fat vanilla greek yogurt if you happen to can spare the factors) and half fat-free mayo. This may reduce down the factors, making it a guilt-free choice. For these monitoring recipes, this model is about 3 WW factors per serving (not counting the bread if you happen to make this a sandwich). 

Dietary Worth and Ideas

This Cape Cod Hen Salad is very good, and there’s a number of totally different views of what makes a wholesome meal (all natural? Complete meals? Low Carb? Low Calorie? Vegan?), However I’m together with accessible nutrient information from Blissful Forks under (word: they’ve a recipe analyzer that may do that to trace recipes you discover on-line) so you may get an concept of diet primarily based on the recipe listed above (I didn’t do that for all the variations like Vegan, Keto and so forth, however you need to use their recipe analyzer to make the substitutions that you just used to replace it). Word: I calculated every day values utilizing all-white rooster breast with simply the rooster salad, so if you happen to use rooster thighs, it could be barely increased. And including issues like entire grain bread to make a sandwich would additionally enhance the energy. 

Picnic Perfection

Among the finest components about this rooster salad is how simple it’s to pack for a picnic or any out of doors journey. Simply portion it into single-serving containers and even make sandwiches utilizing whole-grain bread. It’s a scrumptious recipe that’s versatile sufficient to serve in lettuce wraps or on crackers as an expansion. For a light-weight summer time meal, pair it with some recent fruit or a easy inexperienced salad.

This Cape Cod Hen Salad additionally stands out due to its distinctive taste profile. The poppy seeds add a delicate crunch, whereas the honey brings a pleasant sweetness that balances the savory parts completely. It’s an genuine Cape Cod rooster salad recipe that stays true to the standard flavors of the northeastern United States.

​Our Contemporary Hen Hack 

At first look, this recipe could appear to be that you must prepare dinner rooster earlier than you even get started- however you’re all of it improper! You should purchase already-cooked chicken rooster in bulk at Costco for ridiculous costs, retailer it in 1-cup baggage within the freezer to rapidly thaw, and use it whenever you want it (we now have a ton of recipes that we use right here with precooked rooster breasts if you need different simple concepts). When you don’t use Costco- you may also use canned rooster, a rotisserie rooster, or you might bulk prepare dinner rooster breast instantly pot with pineapple juice (freeze the additional for subsequent time). 

Cape Cod Hen Salad Recipe: 15-Minute Picnic Meal

 

This creamy Cape Cod Hen Salad is a month-to-month staple in our home. It is our go-to for tailgating, seaside journeys, RVing, and even packed lunches for work.

Creator: Rosemarie Groner

Recipe kind: Picnic

Delicacies: American

Serves: 8 Servings

Components

• 4 cups chopped cooked rooster (We maintain the Costco model of shredded rooster available for this).
• 3 celery ribs, diced
• 1 cup sweetened dried cranberries
• ½ cup chopped pecans, toasted
• ¼ cup diced purple onion
• Dressing Components:
• 1½ cups mayo
• ⅓ cup honey
• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Elective Sandwich Components:
• Bread
• Lettuce

Directions

1. Into a big bowl, add your chopped cooked rooster.
2. Add in your diced celery, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, and diced purple onions.
3. In a smaller bowl, combine mayonnaise, honey, and poppy seeds to create a creamy dressing.
4. Pour the dressing over the rooster combination and season with salt and black pepper.
5. Serve and revel in!

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Remaining Ideas

Whether or not you’re making this for a household outing, a fast meal at house, or packing it up for a day on the seaside, this Cape Cod Hen Salad is certain to develop into a staple in your recipe rotation. It’s simple to make, full of taste, and adaptable for numerous dietary wants. So, subsequent time you’re in search of a meal that’s each scrumptious and handy, give this salad a attempt. And don’t overlook to share your personal model and recipe concepts – I’d love to listen to the way you make this scrumptious salad your personal!

Blissful consuming, and revel in your subsequent picnic with this incredible Cape Cod Hen Salad!