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Mandarin Orange Chicken Salad
This creamy, sweet, and savory chicken salad combines tender chicken, juicy mandarin oranges, crisp celery, and crunchy almonds. It’s a delicious twist on a classic chicken salad and perfect for a sandwich, lettuce wrap, or just on its own!
Ingredients:
- 4 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (use leftover roasted or rotisserie chicken)
- 1 cup celery, thinly sliced
- 1 (15 oz) can mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 cup slivered almonds (lightly toasted if desired for extra crunch)
- 1/2 cup green onion, thinly sliced
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Preparation:
- Make the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Add the chicken and vegetables: To the dressing, add the shredded or diced chicken, thinly sliced celery, mandarin oranges, slivered almonds, and sliced green onion. Gently stir the mixture to coat everything with the creamy dressing, being careful not to break up the mandarin oranges too much.
- Chill the salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for 4-6 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Serve: After chilling, the salad is ready to serve. Enjoy it on a sandwich, in a lettuce wrap, or on its own with crackers or a side salad.
Notes:
- Make ahead: This salad can be made the day before and kept in the fridge. The flavors get even better after chilling!
- Adjust ingredients: Feel free to adjust the amount of cream cheese, mayonnaise, or Worcestershire sauce based on your taste preferences.
- Additional toppings: You can add other toppings like raisins, grapes, or diced apples for an extra fruity twist.
Enjoy this Mandarin Orange Chicken Salad for lunch, dinner, or a refreshing picnic option! It’s a great way to repurpose leftover chicken into something special!