Chicken Salad for Hangry People
About this Recipe
By: Rachel
Are you prone to sudden bursts of irritablity or crankiness when you miss a meal? Have your friends, family, or coworkers been known to hide when you experience a drop in blood pressure? Do your loved ones carry snacks with them (for you, not for them) as a measure of self-protection? If so, you might be a hangry person. Don’t worry, we have the cure—Chicken Salad for Hangry People. This homemade chicken salad is just the thing to get you (and those around you) through your day in one piece.
Treating Chronic Hangriness
The first time I heard the term, “hangry,” I thought, “Yes. That describes me!” If I don’t eat regularly… I get cranky. Rational thought goes out the window. Anyone standing between me and food should get out of the way, and quickly.
Unfortunately, I also tend to hyperfocus on work and completely forget about meals (spoiler alert: this is not a great combination). Do you ever realize you’ve been sitting in meetings or working on projects for hours at a stretch with nothing to eat or drink, wondering why you have a terrible headache and are ready to bite the head off the first person who innocently asks how your day is going?
Navigating Hanger Through the Workday
I wish I could be satisfied by a granola bar or a container of yogurt, but the hangrier I get, the more I need something substantial and tasty to get through the day. So, I do my best to keep some easy options at hand to get me through the day.
This homemade chicken salad is ideal—it tastes great, it’s full of protein, and it’s easy to make a large batch that will last for several days in the refrigerator. I often make it when I have leftover roast chicken. I keep a container of this chicken salad at work with crackers or bread and fill up between meetings.
Anothe of my favorite foods to stave off workday hanger is this easy Chicken Caesar Wrap. I also love the bold flavors of this protein-rich tzatziki dip. You can enjoy it with pita bread or crackers, use it as a spread or salad dressing, or as a topping for chicken, meat, or fish.
Chicken Salad for Hangry People
Equipment
- Kitchen scale or measuring cups and spoons
- Measuring cups and spoons or kitchen scale
Ingredients
- ½ cup (55g) walnuts or pecans
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- ½ cup (110g) mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 cup (150g) halved red grapes or dried cranberries
- 2 chopped green onions
- 1 tablespoon chopped herbs such as parsley, dill, chives, and/or chervil
- Kosher salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
- In a small skillet, lightly toast the walnuts over medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes, watching closely to ensure they do not burn. Toss frequently with a wooden spoon to ensure that they toast evenly. Set aside to cool.
Step 2
- To a large mixing bowl, add the chicken, mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, grapes, green onions, and herbs. Stir to combine. Add nuts, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve on crackers as a snack, or on bread as a sandwich, adding any vegetables you desire.
