Hot Baked Chicken Salad

Hot Baked Chicken Salad Recipe with Swiss Cheese and Almonds

Region / culture: Switzerland, USA | Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 20 minutes | Servings: 6

Introduction

Hot Baked Chicken Salad is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for a cozy night in. This recipe combines tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and creamy cheese for a satisfying meal that is sure to please the whole family.

History

Hot Baked Chicken Salad has been a popular dish in American cuisine for decades. It is believed to have originated in the 1960s as a way to use up leftover chicken and vegetables in a tasty and creative way. Over the years, the recipe has evolved to include a variety of ingredients and flavors, but the basic concept of a warm and comforting chicken salad remains the same.

Ingredients

3 cups of cooked rice, cooked in chicken broth
1 cup of cooked chicken breast cubes (about 1 whole breast)
1 cup (4 oz or 113 g) of shredded swiss cheese
1 cup of sliced celery
1 red pepper, chopped
0.5 cup of chopped onion
0.5 cup of green peas
0.5 cup of milk
0.5 cup of mayonnaise
0.5 tsp of seasoned salt
0.5 tsp of ground black pepper
0.5 cup of slivered almonds

How to prepare

Combine rice, chicken, cheese, celery, red pepper, onion, and peas in a large bowl.
Stir together milk, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper in a small bowl; add to the rice mixture.
Transfer the mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with almonds.
Bake at 400°F (204°C) for 15 to 20 minutes.

Variations

Add cooked bacon or ham for a smoky flavor.
Substitute different types of cheese, such as cheddar or mozzarella.
Mix in some cooked pasta or rice for a heartier dish.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to cook the chicken until it is fully cooked through before adding it to the salad mixture.

- Feel free to customize the vegetables in this recipe to suit your taste preferences.

- For added flavor, you can sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top of the salad before baking.

Serving Suggestions

Hot Baked Chicken Salad can be served on its own as a main dish, or paired with a side salad or crusty bread for a complete meal.

Cooking Techniques

Baking the salad in the oven helps to meld the flavors together and create a deliciously creamy texture.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have Swiss cheese, you can use any other type of cheese that melts well, such as cheddar or mozzarella.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the salad mixture ahead of time and refrigerate it until you are ready to bake it. Just be sure to add the almonds right before baking to keep them crunchy.

Presentation Ideas

Serve Hot Baked Chicken Salad in individual ramekins for a cute and elegant presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

This dish pairs well with a crisp green salad and a glass of white wine.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Leftover Hot Baked Chicken Salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place it in the oven at 350°F (177°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

This recipe contains approximately 350 calories per serving.

Carbohydrates

This recipe contains approximately 25 grams of carbohydrates per serving.

Fats

This recipe contains approximately 20 grams of fat per serving.

Proteins

This recipe contains approximately 25 grams of protein per serving.

Vitamins and minerals

Hot Baked Chicken Salad is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and iron.

Alergens

This recipe contains dairy (cheese and milk) and nuts (almonds).

Summary

Hot Baked Chicken Salad is a balanced meal that provides a good mix of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals, making it a nutritious choice for a satisfying dinner.

Summary

Hot Baked Chicken Salad is a comforting and delicious dish that is perfect for a cozy night in. With tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and creamy cheese, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.

How did I get this recipe?

I have a clear memory of the first time I saw this recipe for Hot Baked Chicken Salad. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl living in a small town in the countryside. My mother had invited some of her friends over for lunch, and she asked me to help her prepare the meal. As we were going through her recipe box, we stumbled upon a faded index card with the handwritten title "Hot Baked Chicken Salad."

I was intrigued by the name and asked my mother where she had gotten the recipe. She smiled and told me that it was a family recipe that had been passed down for generations. She explained that she had learned it from her own mother, who had learned it from her mother before her. The recipe had been a staple in our family for as long as anyone could remember.

As we gathered the ingredients and began to prepare the dish, my mother shared with me the story of how she had learned to make Hot Baked Chicken Salad. She told me that she had been a young bride, just starting out in her own kitchen, when she had asked her mother for the recipe. Her mother had sat her down at the kitchen table and walked her through each step, patiently teaching her how to mix the ingredients, bake the chicken, and create the delicious sauce that would bind it all together.

My mother's eyes sparkled as she recounted the memory, and I could see the love and pride she felt for this recipe that had been passed down through the generations. She told me that she had made Hot Baked Chicken Salad for countless family gatherings, potlucks, and special occasions over the years, and it had always been a hit with everyone who tried it.

As we placed the dish in the oven to bake, the tantalizing aroma of the chicken, vegetables, and creamy sauce filled the kitchen. I could hardly wait to taste the finished product. When we finally took it out of the oven and served it to our guests, the response was overwhelmingly positive. Everyone raved about how delicious and comforting the dish was, and my mother beamed with pride.

From that day on, Hot Baked Chicken Salad became a regular feature on our family's dinner table. I learned to make it myself, following my mother's careful instructions and adding my own personal touch to the recipe. I made it for friends, for holidays, for potlucks, and for any occasion that called for a hearty and satisfying meal.

Over the years, I have continued to make Hot Baked Chicken Salad, passing down the recipe to my own children and grandchildren. It has become a beloved tradition in our family, a symbol of love, connection, and the joy of sharing a delicious meal with the ones we hold dear.

As I look back on that day in my mother's kitchen, learning to make Hot Baked Chicken Salad for the first time, I am filled with gratitude for the rich culinary heritage that has been passed down to me. I am proud to carry on this tradition, sharing the recipe with others and keeping alive the memory of the generations of women who came before me. And as I sit down to enjoy a steaming plate of Hot Baked Chicken Salad, surrounded by my loved ones, I am reminded once again of the power of food to bring us together, to nourish our bodies and our souls, and to create lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come.