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Chicken Salad with Dill and Chickpeas

Shredded Chicken Salad

This is a very forgiving flexible recipe. Dill and chickpeas are optional. Even the celery is optional. You can cube the chicken if you prefer. I think most important is to not overcook the chicken. I think an instant read digital thermometer is extremely helpful to prevent overcooking.

I poach it in a pot of water with salt and a few herbs and veggies for added flavor. Bring it to a boil and then turn the heat off until done. I’ll give you more specifics below

Ingredients ready to go

Ingredients

  • 3 chicken breasts, boned and skinless and cut in half crosswise
  • 2 teaspoons salt for water
  • 1 medium onion, quartered , optional
  • 2 sticks celery, halved, optional
  • 5 whole peppercorns, optional
  • 1 bay leaf, optional
  • 2 cups diced celery
  • 2 handfuls of fresh dill, chopped fine
  • 1 can chickpeas, drained
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar

Directions

  1. Fill a large pot with water and add onion, celery sticks, 2 teaspoons salt, peppercorns and bay leaf. Bring to a boil.
  2. Add chicken breasts. Try to make sure they’re all about the same size so they cook evenly.
  3. Bring to a boil, cover and turn off the heat. If you have a gas stove turn the heat on as low as possible. An electric stove will maintain a low heat for some time.
  4. Using an instant read digital thermometer check the temperature of the breasts every 5 minutes. When it reaches 155 remove from hot water and place in a colander to drain. The chicken will continue cooking as it cools. All the breast halves may not get to the 155 degrees at the same time.
  5. When it’s cooled start shredding the chicken into a large bowl
  6. In a medium bowl combine mayonnaise, yogurt, sour cream, dill, salt, pepper, and white balsamic vinegar. Taste the dressing and add seasonings if you think it’s needed.
  7. Add chickpeas to the dressing and smash them against the side of the bowl with a fork. Smash as many as you like. They all don’t need to be smashed.
  8. Add the dressing to the chicken and mix well. Then add the celery and mix again.
  9. That’s it! Ready to serve or store in the frig. This keeps about 4 days.
Shredded chicken

Dressing with Dill

Dressing

Chicken Salad with Dill and Chickpeas

Voila!

Cucumbers with Sour Cream

Cold Cucumber Salad with Dill and Sour Cream

The secret is marinating the cucumbers and then adding the sour cream just before serving Don’t make extra to have leftover. It’s quick to make and is not as creamy and crisp the next day.

PardonYourFrench introduced me to this recipe. The herbs I use are dill and chives. I also use less sugar than she does. Any combination of fresh herbs work well.

Ingredients

  • 1 large cucumber, partially peeled and sliced in half moons
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon good quality white wine vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 small shallot, chopped fine
  • 1 tablespoon sliced chives
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon or more fresh dill, chopped
  • 1/4 cup sour cream or creme fraiche
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Directions

  1. Place sliced cucumbers in a colander and sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt over them. Toss with your hands.
  2. Cover with a plate and allow to drain in the sink 30 minutes
  3. In a small bowl stir together sugar and vinegar. Add the pepper, shallot, chives and dill.
  4. Rinse cucumbers under cold water and drain well. Wrap them in a towel to absorb the water
  5. Place cucumbers in a bowl and toss in marinade. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  6. Just before serving mix in sour cream or creme fraiche and sea salt

Voila!