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If you like chicken salad or chicken in general you’re gonna LOVE this Cheesy Hot Chicken Salad recipe. It’s a perfect make-ahead weeknight meal, or an impressive dish to serve at your next book club. Cheesy Hot Chicken Salad - a delicious classic made even better!✨
Apparently, “chicken salad” is one of the most searched-for chicken recipes on the internet. I find this fact pretty interesting. I mean, I know chicken recipes are by far the most sought after and I totally get that. Chicken isrelatively inexpensive; it’s mild in flavor and absorbs the seasoning of whatever you cook it with very nicely. Plus, it’s appealing to all ages and palates. But chicken salad – who would have thunk it?
I’ve gotta be honest with you… I don’t really make chicken salad that often. In fact the last time I made it was years ago for a friend who was hosting a ladies luncheon. AND it wasn’t your typical chicken salad. I know you’re shocked – right? You know me – switching things up over here.
It was Cheesy Hot Chicken Salad.♨ Not hot in the sense of spicy but like 350 degree oven for 30 minutes hot. The recipe comes from my MIL & FIL. I believe I’ve mentioned a few other delightful recipes they have passed down to me like the Chicky Cannellini – AKA Chicky Chicky Can Can and then there’s the ever popular Closed Oven Turkey (the foolproof and perfect way to cook your holiday bird.)
Anyway, the in-laws are a great resource when it comes to yummy recipes. I’m pretty sure one of the reasons is because they’ve entertained a bit in their day. FIL was an Air Force Colonel and that position came with a bit of hobnobbing. While FIL was off being the super hero he is, MIL was at home being Batman’s Robin, whipping up tasty meals and making him look good.
Today’s Cheesy Hot Chicken Salad recipe was one she would make when hosting the military wives for lunch. After all, us women are suckers for anything with the word salad in it. I think that is all part of those two X chromosomes. IDK
What I do know is that this recipe is pretty much a homerun. It has tender cooked chicken, sharp cheddar cheese, green onions, celery, thyme, mayo, chicken stock, a squeeze of lemon, plus salt and pepper.
You mix it together, sprinkle on a tad more cheese (‘cause you eat with your eyes first), and bake it in the oven for about 30 minutes. Sounds yummy, doesn’t it?
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It gets even better!! While you’re making this gem of a recipe, you put some puff pastry shells in the oven to bake… then you cut out their little lids and fill each one with the Cheesy Hot Chicken Salad and serve. SOOO GOOOD!! Think about it…cheesy, warm chicken salad being cradled in a light and crunchy puff pastry pillow. Mmmmm…having a moment over here.
If you like chicken salad or chicken in general you’re gonna LOVE this Cheesy Hot Chicken Salad recipe. It’s a perfect make-ahead weeknight meal, or an impressive dish to serve at your next book club. Cheesy Hot Chicken Salad - a delicious classic made even better!✨
Yield: 8 servings
Cheesy Hot Chicken Salad
Cheesy Hot Chicken Salad – a delicious classic made even better!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts cooked diced into ½-inch pieces, (or shredded)
- 2 celery stalks, halved lengthwise and finely chopped
- 5 tablespoons green onions, finely chopped (reserve 2 for garnish)
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, finely chopped
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese,white preferably
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, (about half a lemon)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- ⅓ cup yellow cheddar to top before baking
- 6-12 in frozen puff pastry shells, freezer area of grocery store
Instructions
- Bake frozen puff pastry shells according to instructions (normally 425 for 18-20 minutes).
- Lightly grease or spray either a 9X9 or a 10-inch round baking dish
- While the shells are baking, mix all ingredients except ⅓ cup yellow cheddar cheese and 2 tablespoons of green onions, and transfer to the prepared dish. Sprinkle the top with yellow cheddar.
- Once puff pastry shells are finished, set aside to cool and set oven temperature to 350.
- Bake the chicken mixture uncovered for 30-35 minutes, until bubbling around edges and cheese has fully melted.
- Garnish with 2 tablespoons of green onions (Other toppings you could add: chopped tomatoes, chopped fresh thyme, bacon crumbles or even hot sauce).
- To serve, use a sharp paring knife to remove the "tops" of each puff pastry and the soft pastry underneath. Fill each shell with cheesy hot chicken salad.
Notes
To cook chicken breasts:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Place raw chicken in a 9x13 baking dish. Salt and pepper the top side of each breast.
- Pour 1 cup of chicken stock into the pan then cover the pan tightly with tin foil.
- Bake for 40 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees.
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1 shell with salad
Amount Per ServingCalories 468Total Fat 35gSaturated Fat 11gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 118mgSodium 817mgCarbohydrates 2gSugar 1gProtein 32g
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Reader Interactions
Comments
G
Find a house...makes sense to me!!
Reply
dalia
fyi, this is a version of an old belgian recipe - vol au vent (flying in the wind)
Reply
holly
Hi Dalia! That is so interesting…I just looked it up. So basically vol au vent is a baked puff pastry shell filled with meat, fowl, game, or seafood in a sauce. I mentioned in the post that this recipe came from my in-laws. They lived in England for a while, so I'm thinking they may have discovered the recipe while living there. Thanks for reaching and sharing this fun fact!
Reply
Glenda Brill
These look so good, I love anything with cheese so I can't wait to try them and enjoy the taste. I am going to pin this to my boards so I can come back and copy the recipe when am ready to cook this.
Reply
holly
Thank you Glenda! The cheese really makes them especially yummy. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
Reply
Dean @ Globe Scoffers
These looks delicious!
Reply
holly
Thank you Dean!? The cheese takes it up a notch for sure!
Reply
Gretchen
If only I were your next door neighbor....for so many reasons but tasting these would be a great perk this week! Thanks for new ideas:)
Reply
holly
Aww thanks Gretchen! I know you and the fam would love this cheesy goodness. Maybe I could start a delivery service…or just find you a house on the street??
Reply
