Golden State Chicken-Rice Salad

Golden State Chicken-Rice Salad Recipe | USA

Region / culture: USA | Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 20 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

Golden State Chicken-Rice Salad is a delicious and satisfying dish that combines the flavors of cooked rice, chicken, bacon, and fresh vegetables with a creamy blue cheese dressing. This salad is perfect for a light lunch or dinner, and is sure to impress your family and friends with its beautiful presentation.

History

The Golden State Chicken-Rice Salad is a popular dish that originated in California, known for its fresh and healthy cuisine. This salad is a modern twist on the classic chicken salad, incorporating the flavors of blue cheese and avocado for a unique and delicious taste.

Ingredients

3 cups of cooked rice, cooled
2 cups of chopped cooked chicken
1 cup of sliced celery
0.25 cup of chopped red onion
5 slices of crisp-cooked bacon, crumbled
1 cup of mayonnaise
2 oz (57 g) of blue cheese, crumbled
2 tbsp of milk
0.5 tsp of salt
0.13 tsp of ground black pepper
2 medium tomatoes, cut into thin wedges
2 medium avocados, peeled and cut into thin wedges
0.25 cup of alfalfa sprouts (optional)

How to prepare

Combine rice, chicken, celery, onion, and bacon.
Blend mayonnaise, cheese, milk, salt, and pepper.
Line a serving plate with leafy lettuce, if desired.
Spoon the rice mixture in the center.
Arrange tomatoes and avocados in a spoke fashion around the edge of the plate.
Top with dressing.
Sprinkle with sprouts.

Variations

For a vegetarian version, you can omit the chicken and bacon and add extra vegetables like bell peppers, cucumbers, and carrots.
You can also add different herbs and spices to the dressing, such as garlic, dill, or parsley, for extra flavor.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to cook the rice according to package instructions and allow it to cool completely before using in the salad.

- For extra flavor, you can marinate the chicken in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs before cooking.

- Crisp-cooked bacon adds a delicious crunch to the salad, so be sure to cook it until it is crispy.

- To make the dressing extra creamy, blend the mayonnaise, blue cheese, and milk until smooth.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the Golden State Chicken-Rice Salad as a main dish for lunch or dinner, accompanied by a side of crusty bread or a light soup.

Cooking Techniques

The key cooking techniques for this recipe include cooking the rice and chicken separately, and then combining them with the other ingredients to create the salad. Be sure to cook the bacon until crispy for the best texture.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have blue cheese, you can substitute it with feta or goat cheese. You can also use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lighter dressing.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the rice, chicken, and dressing ahead of time and assemble the salad just before serving. Keep the ingredients separate until you are ready to serve to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.

Presentation Ideas

To make the Golden State Chicken-Rice Salad look even more appetizing, you can garnish it with fresh herbs, such as parsley or chives, and sprinkle some extra blue cheese crumbles on top.

Pairing Recommendations

This salad pairs well with a crisp white wine, such as a Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. You can also serve it with a light beer or sparkling water with lemon.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, simply microwave the salad for a few minutes until warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Golden State Chicken-Rice Salad contains approximately 400 calories, making it a satisfying and filling meal option.

Carbohydrates

The Golden State Chicken-Rice Salad is a carb-rich dish, with the cooked rice and vegetables providing a good source of carbohydrates for energy.

Fats

The salad is also rich in fats, with the mayonnaise, blue cheese, and bacon contributing to the overall fat content of the dish.

Proteins

The chicken in the salad is a great source of protein, which is essential for muscle growth and repair.

Vitamins and minerals

The salad is packed with vitamins and minerals from the fresh vegetables, including vitamin C from the tomatoes and avocados, and vitamin K from the alfalfa sprouts.

Alergens

This recipe contains dairy (blue cheese), eggs (mayonnaise), and gluten (from the rice), so be sure to check for any allergies before serving.

Summary

Overall, the Golden State Chicken-Rice Salad is a balanced meal option that provides a good mix of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

Summary

The Golden State Chicken-Rice Salad is a delicious and nutritious dish that is perfect for a light and satisfying meal. With its combination of flavors and textures, this salad is sure to become a favorite in your household.

How did I get this recipe?

The moment I discovered this recipe is a cherished memory that I hold close to my heart. It was a warm summer day in the Golden State of California, and I had just finished browsing through a local farmer's market in search of fresh ingredients for dinner. As I walked past the stalls filled with vibrant fruits and vegetables, a friendly vendor caught my eye.

"Good afternoon, dearie! Would you like to try a sample of my homemade chicken-rice salad?" the vendor asked with a smile.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I wanted to try a new dish. But something about the vendor's warm demeanor and the enticing aroma of the salad made me curious. I accepted the sample and took a bite, savoring the flavors that exploded in my mouth.

"Wow, this is delicious! Could you please share the recipe with me?" I asked eagerly.

The vendor chuckled and said, "I'm afraid I can't give away my secret recipe, but I can show you how to make it. Meet me at my farm tomorrow morning, and I'll teach you everything you need to know."

Excited by the prospect of learning a new recipe, I eagerly agreed and made plans to visit the vendor's farm the next day. When I arrived at the farm, I was greeted by the vendor, whose name was Mrs. Jenkins. She was a kind and generous woman with a passion for cooking and a love for sharing her recipes with others.

"Welcome, dearie! I'm so glad you could make it. Let's get started on making the Golden State Chicken-Rice Salad," Mrs. Jenkins said with a twinkle in her eye.

She led me to her kitchen, where she had all the ingredients laid out neatly on the counter. We began by cooking the rice in a pot of boiling water until it was fluffy and tender. As the rice cooked, Mrs. Jenkins showed me how to prepare the chicken by marinating it in a mixture of herbs and spices before grilling it to perfection.

While the chicken sizzled on the grill, Mrs. Jenkins taught me how to make the dressing for the salad. It was a simple yet flavorful combination of olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and mustard that added a tangy sweetness to the dish. Once the dressing was ready, we tossed it with the cooked rice, diced chicken, and a medley of fresh vegetables, including juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and creamy avocado.

As we sat down to enjoy the salad together, Mrs. Jenkins shared the story behind the recipe. She explained that the Golden State Chicken-Rice Salad was a family heirloom that had been passed down through generations. It was a dish that reminded her of lazy summer days spent in the sun, surrounded by loved ones and good food.

"I'm so grateful to have learned this recipe from you, Mrs. Jenkins. It truly is a treasure," I said with a smile.

Mrs. Jenkins beamed with pride and replied, "I'm happy to pass on this recipe to someone who appreciates it as much as I do. Cooking is a way of sharing love and memories with others, and I hope you'll continue to make this salad for your own family and friends."

And so, armed with the knowledge of how to make the Golden State Chicken-Rice Salad, I returned home feeling inspired and eager to recreate the dish for my loved ones. As I chopped, grilled, and tossed the ingredients together, I thought of Mrs. Jenkins and the special bond we had formed over a shared love of cooking.

To this day, whenever I make the Golden State Chicken-Rice Salad, I am transported back to that warm summer day in California, where I discovered not just a recipe, but a connection to the past and a legacy of love passed down through the generations. And for that, I am forever grateful.