Chicken salad is one of those standard dishes that I pretty much always love, but rarely wows me. It gets the job done, but I’m not raving about it to anyone. Then there’s Ayesha Nurdjaja’s Chicken Salad which, to quote Ina, really turns up the volume.
It starts with the usual suspects: poached chicken, mayo, Dijon, celery, and red onion. But what makes it special is everything layered on top of that foundation. Grated carrot for sweetness, fresh dill and lemon zest for lift, and a hit of serrano that brings just enough heat. The result is creamy, crunchy, and full of flavor. We piled it high on toasted sourdough, as one should.
And those za’atar pickled red onions on top provide the sharp, vinegary bite which keeps the whole thing feeling bright and balanced, not heavy.
Rating: 5/5
How Easy Is That – Skill Level: Easy
Store-Bought Is Fine: mayonnaise
Recipe on RareBites.com
