Easy Barefoot Contessa Curry Chicken Salad Recipe for Quick Meals

Curry chicken salad bursts with vibrant flavors that transform ordinary ingredients into a sensational culinary experience.

Warm spices dance through tender meat, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Creamy and complex, this dish offers a delightful twist on traditional salad preparations.

Restaurants and home cooks appreciate its versatile nature, perfect for casual lunches or elegant gatherings.

Each forkful promises a delightful combination of sweet, tangy, and aromatic elements that awaken your palate.

The recipe balances richness with bright notes, making it a crowd-pleasing option for diverse dining preferences.

Prepare to elevate your meal with this irresistible combination of flavors and textures:

Wrap-Up on Contessa Curry Chicken Salad

Barefoot Contessa’s Curry Chicken Salad emerges as an elegant culinary masterpiece that whispers sophistication with each delectable bite.

Ina Garten’s recipe blends classic ingredients into a harmonious symphony of flavors, marrying tender roasted chicken with creamy curry-infused dressing.

Mediterranean-inspired white wine and sweet chutney elevate this classic salad beyond ordinary expectations.

Cashews provide a delightful crunch, creating textural contrast against the smooth, spiced sauce.

Memorable gatherings become extraordinary when this spectacular dish graces casual dinner tables or elegant buffets.

Bold palates and adventurous souls will absolutely adore this recipe – so grab those ingredients, share this delightful creation with friends, click that like button, and let culinary magic unfold!

Why Contessa Curry Chicken Salad Wins Hearts

• Savor Exotic Flavor Fusion: This curry chicken salad brings together unexpected ingredients like white wine, chutney, and curry powder, creating a sophisticated and boldly spiced dish that transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary culinary experience.
• Master Effortless Gourmet Cooking: With simple roasting techniques and a quick food processor dressing, even novice home cooks can create a restaurant-quality meal without complex cooking skills or hours of preparation.
• Enjoy Textural Wonderland: The combination of tender roasted chicken, creamy mayonnaise-based dressing, and crunchy cashews delivers a delightful contrast of textures that makes every bite exciting and memorable.
• Perfect Versatile Meal Solution: This chicken salad works brilliantly as a light lunch, elegant party appetizer, or quick weeknight dinner, making it an adaptable recipe that fits multiple dining scenarios and satisfies different mealtime needs.

Ingredients for Contessa Curry Chicken Salad

• Chicken Breasts: Tender, boneless meat that forms the base of the salad, best when organic or free-range for richer flavor.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy base that binds the salad together, choose a high-quality brand for better taste.
• White Wine: Adds subtle acidity and depth to the dressing, can use dry white wine for best results.
• Chutney: Sweet and tangy condiment that provides complex flavor, mango chutney works wonderfully.
• Curry Powder: Signature spice that gives the salad its distinctive flavor, use fresh and fragrant blend.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances overall taste profile.

• Cashews: Crunchy nuts that provide textural contrast and nutty flavor, raw or roasted varieties work well.
• Olive Oil: Used for roasting chicken, helps create a golden and moist exterior.

Method for Making Contessa Curry Chicken Salad

Step 1: Roast Tender Chicken

• Rubbing with olive oil
• Sprinkling salt
• Adding black pepper

Roast for 35-40 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and juicy.

Step 2: Shred Chicken Meat

• Discard chicken skin
• Cut chicken into bite-sized chunks

Step 3: Create Creamy Curry Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• White wine
• Chutney
• Curry powder
• 1 salt

Pulse until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Mix Chicken Salad

Combine shredded chicken with prepared dressing in a large mixing bowl. Gently fold ingredients to ensure even coating.

Step 5: Chill and Garnish

• Sprinkle roasted cashews on top
• Serve at room temperature
• Enjoy with crackers or as a sandwich filling

Tips for a Tasty Contessa Curry Chicken Salad

• Capture Cashew Complexity: Toast cashews in a dry skillet until golden, releasing their rich, nutty essence and adding a delightful crunch to every bite.
• Intensify Curry's Character: Briefly toast curry powder in a pan, awakening its aromatic oils and transforming the spice into a more vibrant, intense flavor bomb.
• Refrigerate for Flavor Fusion: Allow the salad to rest in the refrigerator, giving ingredients time to mingle and develop a more harmonious, deeply satisfying taste.
• Elevate with Exotic Chutney: Stir in a sweet mango or peach chutney, creating a sophisticated flavor layer that dances brilliantly with the curry's warmth.
• Optimize Chicken's Golden Potential: Carefully pat chicken breasts dry before roasting, ensuring a perfectly crisp exterior that seals in maximum juiciness and flavor.

Storing Contessa Curry Chicken Salad

• Chilled Storage: Seal curry chicken salad in a glass container with an airtight lid to lock in freshness for maximum flavor preservation. Separate crunchy cashews in a small compartment to maintain their crisp texture and prevent moisture absorption.
• Quick Consumption Strategy: Devour the salad within 2-3 days for peak taste and quality. Implement strict hygiene practices by using clean utensils to prevent potential bacterial contamination and extend the salad's delectable appeal.
• Temperature Warning: Never freeze this creamy delicacy, as mayonnaise-based mixtures dramatically separate and lose their luxurious consistency. Refrigeration remains the sole recommended storage method to protect the delicate balance of ingredients and maintain the salad's vibrant flavor profile.

Fun Twists on Contessa Curry Chicken Salad

• Spicy Curry Kick: Add red chili flakes or sriracha sauce to the dressing for an extra heat level that brings bold flavor to the classic chicken salad.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Replace cashews with toasted pine nuts, swap chutney for feta cheese, and add diced cucumber and fresh herbs like oregano for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Light Yogurt Swap: Substitute half the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt to create a lighter, tangier dressing that reduces calories while maintaining creamy texture.
• Tropical Mango Blend: Mix in diced fresh mango or pineapple chunks to add sweet, tropical notes that complement the curry powder and create a refreshing summer-style chicken salad.

Barefoot Contessa Curry Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s curry chicken salad blends tender roasted chicken with a creamy, spice-laden dressing. Refreshing grapes, crunchy almonds, and aromatic curry powder create a Mediterranean-inspired lunch that delights you with complex, balanced flavors.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 3 whole (6 splits) chicken breasts, bone-in, skin-on

Spices and Flavoring:

• 3 tablespoons curry powder
• ¼ cup chutney (recommended: Major Grey’s)
• ⅓ cup dry white wine
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Binding and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups mayonnaise (recommended: Hellman’s)
• 1 cup medium-diced celery (2 large stalks)
• ¼ cup chopped scallions, white and green parts (2 scallions)
• ¼ cup raisins
• 1 cup whole roasted, salted cashews
• Olive oil

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare the chicken by placing chicken breasts on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and generously season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
2. Roast the chicken for 35-40 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring complete and safe cooking.
3. Allow the roasted chicken to cool for 10-15 minutes at room temperature, making it easier to handle.
4. Remove the chicken meat from the bones, discard the skin, and carefully dice into uniform bite-sized cubes approximately 1/2 inch (1.27 centimeters) in size.
5. Create the creamy dressing by combining mayonnaise, white wine, mango chutney, curry powder, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt in a food processor.
6. Blend the dressing ingredients until smooth and well-incorporated, creating a uniform, golden-hued sauce.
7. Gently fold the diced chicken into the prepared dressing, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
8. Cover the salad and refrigerate for 2-3 hours to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.
9. Just before serving, sprinkle freshly chopped cashews over the top for added crunch and texture.
10. Serve the chicken salad at room temperature, garnished with additional cashews if desired.

Notes

• Refrigerate the salad to allow spices and ingredients to meld, creating deeper, more intense flavors.
• Serve at room temperature to unlock the full aromatic potential of curry and spices.
• Roast chicken breasts bone-in for a richer, more complex taste that elevates the entire dish.
• Dice chicken into generous bite-sized pieces for a more satisfying and enjoyable eating experience.
• Toss cashews into the mix for a delightful crunch and nutty undertone that adds textural complexity.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 636 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 656 mg
• Fat: 47 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 29 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 102 mg