Dilly Chicken Salad

She’s everything you want from a chicken salad sandwich, but nothing you would expect. Which is why we love her! This chicken salad is packed with pickles, dates and greek yogurt to make it crunchy, creamy and a little sweet. Plus, there’s a secret ingredient to keep it all moist and expertly seasoned.

Equipment

To make chicken salad at home, here's what you need: 

• large bowl
• chef's knife
• cutting board
• spatula
• medium oven-safe pan
• cheese grater

Note: the full ingredients list and recipe instructions can be found below! 

Cooking Tips

1. Use any kind of chicken! I love this recipe because it's a great way to use up leftover chicken. Whether that's a roast chicken you cooked yourself, or a rotisserie chicken you bought at the store, or some gorgeous chicken thighs from a weekend BBQ, it doesn't matter. Just use what you have. 
2. Questioning the dates? I really encourage you to give it a try here. It's a little bit of sweetness that goes a long way in rounding out the flavour of the chicken salad.
3. The broiler is one of my favourite kitchen tools, especially when I'm making sandwiches. You get more browning and caramelization in a shorter amount of time, and it tastes great! Just remember to keep a close eye on your sandwich when it's under there — we don't want it to burn.
4. Serve it with... pickle spears and a few chips. It would also go great alongside butternut squash soup.  

The secret ingredient that will take your chicken salad to the next level

OK, it's not that big of a secret! If you've made some of my recipes before you'll probably recognize this one. It's...pickle brine! Since we're already using the pickles for texture and flavour, why not add a splash of brine for even more dilly goodness? I've said this before and I'll say it again — it's a great way to add more flavour without upping the number of ingredients. It also helps keep things moist (I'm sorry, but is there a better word for that lol?)

Dilly Chicken Salad

For a sandwich, or a salad, or with your favourite crackers

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups shredded chicken I'm using leftover from a grocery store rotissi!
• ⅓ cup diced pickles preferably dill and garlic flavoured
• 2 dates
• 1 tablespoon dijon
• 2 tablespoon pickle brine
• ⅓ cup greek yogurt
• 3 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 cup shredded aged white cheddar
• 4 brioche buns one per person

Method

 

1. Place a rack on the upper third of your oven and turn the broiler to high. If you haven't already, shred enough chicken to fill 2 cups, chop enough pickles to fill ½ cup and dice 2 dates.
2. In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, chopped pickles, diced dates, 1 tablespoon dijon, 2 tablespoon pickle brine, ⅓ cup greek yogurt and 3 tablespoon mayonnaise. Mix until well incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning, it should be creamy and pickle-y.
3. Heat an oven-safe pan on high heat. Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on either side of the buns and place them face down in the pan. Toast your buns until they are golden brown. You might have to work in batches depending on the size of your pan.
4. Remove the tops and arrange the bottoms in the pan. Scoop chicken salad onto the bottoms (about ½ cup per sandwich) and top with shredded cheese. Place under the broiler and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese starts to bubble and brown. Remove and serve with more dill pickles and chips.