The Best Barefoot Contessa Lemon Chicken Salad Recipe Ever

Barefoot contessa lemon chicken salad brings vibrant Mediterranean flavors right to your plate with its bright, zesty profile.

Fresh ingredients dance together in perfect harmony, creating a balanced and satisfying culinary experience.

Creamy textures blend seamlessly with crisp elements, transforming an ordinary lunch into something extraordinary.

Light yet substantial, this recipe offers a delightful twist on traditional chicken preparations.

Protein-packed and incredibly versatile, the dish adapts beautifully to individual preferences and ingredient availability.

Wholesome components merge to deliver a meal that feels both indulgent and nutritionally smart.

Each bite promises a burst of sunny, refreshing taste that will elevate your midday dining: get ready to savor every delicious forkful!

Chef’s Tips for Barefoot Contessa Lemon Chicken Salad

• Zest Like a Pro: Grate lemon zest carefully using a microplane or fine grater to capture the most aromatic citrus oils without the bitter white pith.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerating the salad allows the herbs and lemon to mingle, creating a more complex and harmonious taste profile.
• Select Superior Chicken: Opt for freshly roasted or poached chicken breast for the most tender and juicy texture in your salad.
• Customize Your Crunch: Add toasted almonds or sunflower seeds for an extra layer of texture that complements the creamy yogurt base.
• Balance Your Seasoning: Adjust salt and lemon juice gradually, tasting as you go to achieve the perfect tangy and savory balance.

Storing Barefoot Contessa Lemon Chicken Salad

• Vacuum Seal Method: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer to remove air completely. Wrap the chicken salad tightly in vacuum-seal bags, pressing out excess air before sealing. This technique prevents oxidation and keeps ingredients crisp for up to 5 days.
• Glass Container Strategy: Choose heavy-duty glass containers with tight-fitting lids for superior preservation. Glass prevents flavor absorption from other refrigerator items and maintains the salad's original taste profile. Layer a piece of plastic wrap directly on the salad's surface before closing the lid to minimize air exposure.
• Portion Freezing Technique: Divide chicken salad into individual serving portions using small freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring maximum flavor retention. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and gently stir before serving to restore original texture and consistency.

Interesting Twists on Barefoot Contessa Lemon Chicken Salad

• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Swap dill for a mix of fresh oregano, mint, and parsley, adding a vibrant Greek-inspired flavor profile to the classic chicken salad.
• Spicy Southwest Rendition: Incorporate diced jalapeños, fresh cilantro, and a dash of cumin for a zesty southwestern kick that transforms the original recipe.
• Curry Coconut Comfort: Blend in mild curry powder, shredded coconut, and a touch of mango chutney to create a tropical-inspired version with complex, warming spices.
• Roasted Vegetable Companion: Fold in roasted red peppers, grilled zucchini, and caramelized onions to introduce extra depth and textural contrast to the chicken salad.

A Word on Barefoot Contessa Lemon Chicken Salad

Mediterranean flavors dance through this Barefoot Contessa lemon chicken salad, creating an irresistible culinary experience.

Ina Garten’s signature recipe blends tangy Greek yogurt with zesty lemon and fresh dill, elevating classic chicken salad to gourmet heights.

Delicate herbs and bright citrus notes intertwine with tender chicken, promising a refreshing meal that satisfies sophisticated palates.

Light yet substantial, this dish delivers complex layers of flavor in each delightful bite.

Summer lunches and picnic spreads gain instant elegance with this simple yet remarkable recipe.

Passionate cooks and casual diners alike will adore this Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece – so grab those ingredients, share this delectable discovery on social media, and let culinary magic unfold!

What Makes Barefoot Contessa Lemon Chicken Salad So Appealing

• Burst with Bright Flavors: This lemon chicken salad delivers a zesty punch of citrusy freshness that dances on your taste buds, transforming a simple chicken dish into a vibrant, mouth-watering experience.
• Whip Up in a Flash: Perfect for busy home cooks, this recipe comes together in mere minutes with minimal prep work, making it an ideal solution for quick lunches or last-minute gatherings.
• Versatile Serving Magic: Enjoy this chicken salad multiple ways – stuffed in soft pita bread, spread on crispy crackers, or elegantly served over a bed of fresh greens, giving you endless delicious possibilities for a single recipe.
• Healthier Creamy Twist: By using Greek yogurt instead of traditional mayonnaise, this recipe offers a protein-packed, lighter alternative that doesn't compromise on creamy texture or incredible taste.

Essential Ingredients for Barefoot Contessa Lemon Chicken Salad

• Chicken: Cooked and diced, provides the main protein for the salad, choose tender and moist chicken breast or rotisserie chicken for best flavor.

• Red Onion, Fresh Dill: Adds sharp, fresh flavor and brightness to the chicken salad, red onion provides crunch and dill brings herbal notes.

• Greek Yogurt: Creamy base that binds the salad together, use full-fat yogurt for richer texture.
• Lemon Zest: Provides bright, citrusy flavor and aromatic oils to enhance the overall taste.
• Olive Oil: Adds smooth richness and helps blend the ingredients.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the chicken salad's flavors, adjust to personal taste preference.

Procedure for Making Barefoot Contessa Lemon Chicken Salad

Step 1: Gather Fresh Ingredients

• Cooked chicken
• Red onion
• Fresh lemon
• Greek yogurt
• Fresh dill
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper

Ensure ingredients are at room temperature for optimal flavor blending.

Step 2: Prepare Chicken Base

Dice the cooked chicken into small, uniform cubes. Finely mince the red onion to distribute flavor evenly throughout the salad.

Step 3: Zest and Season

Carefully grate the lemon zest using a microplane or fine grater. This will release intense citrus oils that enhance the overall taste profile.

Step 4: Create Creamy Mixture

• Diced chicken
• Minced red onion
• Lemon zest
• Greek yogurt
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper

Gently fold ingredients together, ensuring even coating without breaking down the chicken pieces.

Step 5: Incorporate Fresh Herbs

Chop fresh dill into small pieces. Sprinkle and fold the herbs into the chicken mixture, distributing them throughout the salad.

Step 6: Taste and Adjust

Sample the salad and fine-tune seasoning. Add extra salt, pepper, or lemon zest as needed to balance flavors.

Step 7: Chill and Serve

Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled alongside crackers, inside pita bread, or atop fresh mixed greens.

Barefoot Contessa Lemon Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.5 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Barefoot Contessa’s lemon chicken salad brings Mediterranean flavors to your table with zesty citrus and herb-infused grilled chicken. Fresh ingredients combine effortlessly, creating a light and refreshing dish you’ll crave for summer lunches and quick weeknight meals.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 280g (10 ounces, 2 ½ cups) cooked and diced chicken breast (rotisserie works well)

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1 heaped tablespoon chopped fresh dill
• 2 tablespoons finely minced red onion
• 1 heaped teaspoon grated lemon zest
• ¼ heaped teaspoon salt
• Pinch or two of black pepper

Liquids and Additional Ingredients:

• 60ml (¼ cup, 2 fluid ounces) plus 30ml (2 tablespoons, 1 fluid ounce) full-fat Greek yoghurt
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• Pita bread, crackers, or fresh greens for serving

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Instructions

1. Meticulously dice the cooked chicken into uniform, bite-sized cubes ensuring consistent texture throughout the salad.
2. Finely mince the red onion to create delicate, translucent pieces that will distribute subtle sharp flavor without overwhelming the other ingredients.
3. Using a microplane grater, carefully zest the lemon, capturing only the bright yellow outer layer and avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
4. Delicately chop the fresh dill, releasing its aromatic herbaceous essence and creating small, fragrant snippets.
5. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the chicken, red onion, lemon zest, Greek yogurt (227 grams), kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and extra virgin olive oil.
6. Gently fold the ingredients together using a silicone spatula, ensuring each morsel is evenly coated with the creamy yogurt dressing.
7. Sprinkle the chopped dill over the mixture, folding it in with soft, deliberate strokes to distribute the herb’s vibrant flavor profile.
8. Taste the salad and adjust seasoning, adding pinches of salt or pepper as needed to balance the flavors.
9. Cover the bowl with a tight-fitting lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.
10. Serve chilled alongside warm pita bread, crisp crackers, or atop a bed of fresh, crisp mixed greens.

Notes

• Elevate the zest by grating fresh lemon peel directly into the salad, capturing its vibrant, aromatic essence that bottled juice simply can’t match.
• Give the flavors time to mingle by chilling the salad for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing each ingredient to whisper its delicious secrets to the others.
• Opt for full-fat Greek yoghurt to create a luxuriously creamy texture that transforms this dish from ordinary to extraordinary.
• Trust your taste buds and adjust seasonings just before serving, ensuring every bite sings with perfectly balanced flavors.
• Handle the chicken with care, stirring gently to preserve its tender chunks and prevent a mushy disappointment.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5g
• Carbohydrates: 4g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 12g
• Cholesterol: 50mg