If you happen to love an excellent dill pickle, you’re going to fall onerous for this tremendous straightforward Dill Pickle Hen Salad. It’s creamy, tangy, and loaded with crunch—all made with easy substances and prepared very quickly.
Truthfully, I’ve by no means met a dill pickle I didn’t like. Whether or not they’re on a sandwich, beside a burger, or straight from the jar whereas standing on the fridge—pickles simply hit the spot. I’ve added them to coleslaw and deviled eggs, so it was solely a matter of time earlier than I discovered a method to fold them into hen salad.
This Dill Pickle Hen Salad recipe has rapidly turn into a go-to round right here. It’s cool, crunchy, and stuffed with that briny, tangy taste we pickle folks love. Better part? You may throw it collectively in about quarter-hour for those who’ve acquired some cooked hen readily available.
Easy Elements, Huge Taste
This one’s straightforward: simply chopped or shredded hen (I normally seize a rotisserie hen to save lots of time and add some taste), diced dill pickles, celery, candy onion, and some large spoonfuls of mayo to deliver all of it collectively. You can too prepare dinner some hen breast for the recipe.
I additionally prefer to throw in slightly chopped recent dill to the recipe for an additional punch of pickle-y taste. If you happen to don’t have recent, dried dill will work too. Or for those who’re not the most important dill fan, be happy to go away it out altogether—it’ll nonetheless be scrumptious.
Relying on how your hen is seasoned, you won’t even want salt or pepper. Give it a style first and go from there.
Now pay attention, I’m not normally one to be choosy about manufacturers—however on this case, I do have favorites. I like to make use of Duke’s mayo for that wealthy, tangy taste, and Claussen pickles for his or her unbeatable crunch and freshness. After all, use no matter you’ve acquired, however for those who’re in search of that further pop, these are my go-to picks.
The Pickle Downside (And Repair It)
Let’s discuss in regards to the one little hiccup with this salad: the pickles don’t maintain up nicely over time. I do know it’s tempting to meal prep hen salad for the week, however for those who combine all the pieces too far upfront, these juicy pickles will begin releasing their brine, and the entire thing can find yourself slightly watery.
If you happen to’re planning to prep forward, simply wait to stir within the pickles till proper earlier than serving. That retains the crunch the place it belongs.
Let’s Get Technical
So right here’s the why: pickles are stuffed with water. And whenever you combine them into mayo and seasoned hen, that salt attracts the moisture proper out—due to slightly course of referred to as osmosis. It sounds fancy, however all it actually means is your crisp pickles go limp.
Tossing all the pieces collectively proper earlier than serving retains your salad vibrant, recent, and crunchy.
Serve It
There’s no incorrect method to get pleasure from these things. Scoop it onto crackers, sandwich it between two slices of sentimental bread, or wrap it up in lettuce for those who’re feeling virtuous. I’ve additionally been recognized to eat it straight from the blending bowl with a fork and no disgrace.
Storage Suggestions
That is greatest eaten inside a number of hours, however for those who do have leftovers, they’ll hold within the fridge in an hermetic container for a few day. Simply know the pickles would possibly begin to launch slightly liquid, which may change the feel. If you happen to’re planning to make it forward of time, hold the pickles (and possibly the dill) separate till you’re able to serve.
FAQ
Can I exploit any sort of cooked hen?
Completely. Leftover baked, grilled, and even poached hen works nice. Simply chop it up and also you’re good to go. You would even use canned hen in a pinch.
Do I’ve to make use of dill pickles?
This model leans into the dill, however for those who’re extra of a candy pickle individual, you’ll be able to swap them in. It’ll change the flavour, but it surely’s your salad—make it the way you prefer it.
Is that this low carb?
Positive is, so long as you skip the bread and follow lettuce wraps or simply eat it by itself.
What about dill—do I really want it?
Not essentially. I like the additional zip from recent dill, however dried dill works in a pinch. And if you wish to skip it totally, the pickles do loads of heavy lifting.
Can I swap the mayo for yogurt?
I’ve not tried that, however I don’t see why it wouldn’t work – particularly for those who’re utilizing one thing like a full-fat plain greek yogurt. Simply bear in mind the flavour will likely be fairly a bit completely different.
In search of a extra traditional hen salad recipe? Strive my Pecan Hen Salad.
Recipe Card
Dill Pickle Hen Salad
Vitamin
Energy: 354kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 24g | Fats: 27g | Saturated Fats: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 14g | Monounsaturated Fats: 7g | Trans Fats: 0.1g | Ldl cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 525mg | Potassium: 288mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 165IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg
* If dietary values are supplied, they’re an estimate and can differ relying on the manufacturers used. The values don’t embrace non-compulsory substances or when substances are added to style. If calorie rely and different dietary values are essential to you, I like to recommend grabbing your favourite manufacturers and plugging these substances into a web-based dietary calculator.
