About This Recipe
I have tons of recipes for chicken salad. But there’s one combination I never used before: lemon and mint. Both of those flavors are so delicious and refreshing. Combining them into one recipe really brings out all of the aroma and taste of this fabulous salad. This recipe for Lemon Mint Chicken Grape Salad will really wake up your taste buds.
Whenever I make a chicken salad I always buy rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. I really dislike having to handle raw chicken, both aesthetically and from a food safety standpoint. Plus, no matter how many methods I use to try to get tender chicken, the rotisserie chickens beat homemade hands down.
The flavors in this recipe may seem a bit strange, but they really work. Lemon and mint are natural partners and each heightens the taste and flavor of the other.
Serve this great recipe with some iced tea (made with mint of course) and some muffins on a screened porch. Yum.
Tips for best Lemon Mint Chicken Grape Salad:
- A couple of rotisserie chickens are essential for the success of this recipe. That product yields the most tender and flavorful chicken. Believe me.
- Lemon yogurt is essential too. That ingredient adds a gentle flavor and helps keep the chicken and pasta tender.
- Pick small grapes for this recipe. Those large flabby grapes are really inedible in my opinion. Celery adds a bit of crunch.
- Cook the pasta until it is al dente. You have to taste the pasta to discover if it’s cooked properly. It should be tender but with a bit of resistance in the center.
- Add the pasta to the dressing while it’s hot. The pasta will absorb some of the dressing’s flavors and will stay tender.
Why this recipe works:
- The combination of tart lemon, fresh mint, sweet grapes, and savory chicken is really wonderful. The pasta stretches the recipe and adds a note of nuttiness.
Steps
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1
Done
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Bring a large pot of water to a boil. |
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2
Done
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Meanwhile, combine the mayonnaise, lemon yogurt, lemon juice, milk, lemon zest, mint extract, and chopped mint in a large bowl and mix with a wire whisk. |
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3
Done
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Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente. |
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4
Done
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Drain the pasta in a colander in the sink and add to the dressing along with the grapes and celery. |
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5
Done
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Gently mix to combine. Cover and chill for 1-2 hours to blend flavors before serving. |
