Rooster Salad with Grapes, Pecans & Croissant Croutons (A Contemporary, Elevated Twist on a Traditional)

Everybody loves a superb traditional hen salad. It reveals up at nearly each potluck, bridal bathe, picnic, and household gathering, and for good cause, it’s all the time a crowd pleaser.

This model retains the whole lot you like about conventional hen salad, however serves it in a recent, deconstructed salad. You continue to get tender shredded hen, juicy crimson grapes, crunchy celery, toasted pecans, and crisp romaine lettuce in each chunk.

The dressing ties all of it collectively, creamy and tangy with Greek yogurt, a bit of richness from olive oil and mayonnaise, brightness from lemon juice and crimson wine vinegar, and only a contact of honey and Dijon for steadiness. It’s gentle, flavorful, and coats each ingredient with out weighing something down.

After which there are the croissant croutons. Buttery, golden, and completely crisp, they’re the element that makes this salad really feel additional particular. They add crunch, richness, and that little “wait, what’s that?” second that folks all the time bear in mind.

That is the form of salad I make after I need to serve one thing a bit of additional particular. It’s excellent for spring and summer time entertaining—Easter, Mom’s Day, showers, and potlucks, however straightforward sufficient for any day.

In case you love traditional hen salad, that is one you’ll need to strive subsequent.

Components (with Useful Notes)

For the Croissant Croutons:

• Croissants: Use barely stale croissants if in case you have them; they crisp up higher within the oven and create buttery, golden croutons.

For the Salad:

• Romaine lettuce: Crisp and durable, it holds up effectively to the creamy dressing and provides recent crunch.
• Rotisserie hen: A significant time-saver with nice taste; shred or chop into bite-sized items.
• Celery: Provides traditional hen salad crunch and freshness; slice skinny so it blends effectively.
• Crimson grapes: Candy and juicy; chop or halve so that you get a bit of in each chunk.
• Pecans: Toast them earlier than including to carry out their wealthy, nutty taste.
• Crimson onion: Provides a pointy chunk; soak in chilly water briefly if you wish to mellow the flavour.
• Parsley: Contemporary and vibrant, it provides shade and a pop of taste.

For the Dressing:

• Olive oil: Provides richness and helps create a easy, balanced dressing.
• Greek yogurt: Retains the dressing creamy with a light-weight tang.
• Lemon juice: Brightens the whole lot and balances the richness.
• Mayonnaise: Provides traditional taste and additional creaminess.
• Crimson wine vinegar: Brings a refined tang that enhances the dressing.
• Honey: Provides only a contact of sweetness for steadiness.
• Dijon mustard: Provides depth and a slight tangy kick.
• Garlic: Contemporary minced garlic provides a savory increase; mince finely for one of the best texture.

Tips on how to Retailer

• Retailer the salad (with out croissant croutons) in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days.
• Hold dressing separate if you would like the lettuce additional crisp.
• Retailer croissant croutons in a sealed container at room temperature for as much as 2 days.
• If making forward for entertaining, assemble the whole lot besides croutons and toss simply earlier than serving.

Salads

Rooster Salad with Grapes, Pecans, and Croissant Croutons

A recent and flavorful hen salad made with tender rotisserie hen, candy grapes, toasted pecans, crisp romaine, and a creamy lemon Dijon dressing. Completed with buttery croissant croutons for the proper crunch.

For the croissant croutons:

• 3 cups chopped croissants, 1-inch items

For the salad:

• 6 cups chopped Romaine lettuce
• 2 cups cooked shredded rotisserie hen
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped crimson grapes
• 1 cup chopped toasted pecans
• 1/3 cup chopped crimson onion
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley

For the dressing:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon crimson wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Kosher salt and black pepper, to style

• Make the croissant croutons: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the chopped croissant items on a big baking sheet in a good layer. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring as soon as midway by, till golden brown and crisp. Take away from the oven and let cool.

• Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk collectively the olive oil, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, mayonnaise, crimson wine vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Season with kosher salt and black pepper, to style. Whisk till easy and creamy.

• Assemble the salad: In a big bowl, mix the romaine lettuce, shredded hen, celery, grapes, toasted pecans, crimson onion, and parsley. Drizzle with the dressing and toss gently till the whole lot is effectively coated.

• Serve: High the salad with the croissant croutons simply earlier than serving for optimum crunch. Serve instantly.

• Barely stale croissants work greatest for croutons since they crisp up extra simply within the oven.
• Bake croissant croutons till golden and allow them to cool fully in order that they keep crisp.
• Toast the pecans forward of time and permit them to chill absolutely for one of the best taste and crunch.
• For the freshest texture, make sure that the romaine lettuce is totally dry earlier than assembling.
• Use chilly, cooked hen (like rotisserie) so the salad stays recent and the dressing coats effectively.
• Toss the salad gently so the components keep intact and evenly coated.
• Add the croissant croutons simply earlier than serving in order that they keep crisp.
• This salad is greatest served instantly, however you may prep all elements forward and assemble proper earlier than serving.
• Retailer leftovers (with out croutons) in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days; retailer croutons individually at room temperature.

Energy: 420kcal, Carbohydrates: 50g, Protein: 28g, Fats: 23g, Saturated Fats: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 6g, Monounsaturated Fats: 16g, Ldl cholesterol: 75mg, Sodium: 495mg, Potassium: 457mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 3974IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 79mg, Iron: 3mg

Key phrases hen, hen salad, croissant, croutons, grapes, pecan

Have you ever tried this recipe?

Go away a remark under and share a photograph on Instagram. Tag @twopeasandpod and hashtag it with #twopeasandtheirpod

Variations & Substitutions

• Swap the nuts: Strive walnuts, almonds, or pistachios as an alternative of pecans.
• Change the fruit: Apples or dried cranberries additionally work superbly.
• Make it lighter: Use all Greek yogurt and skip the mayonnaise.
• Add cheese: Crumbled goat cheese or feta provides a creamy, tangy chunk.
• Add bacon: End with chopped cooked bacon for a savory and smoky kick!
• Make it heartier: Serve inside croissants or wraps as an alternative of over lettuce.
• Herb swap: Strive dill or tarragon for a unique taste profile.

Extra Rooster Salad Recipes

Take a look at all of my recent and scrumptious SALAD RECIPES!