The Tasty Barefoot Contessa Curry Chicken Salad Recipe

Curry chicken salad transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience that tantalizes taste buds with its vibrant and aromatic profile.

Warm spices dance through tender meat, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that feel both comforting and exciting.

Rich, creamy elements merge with crisp additions, offering a delightful contrast in each forkful.

The recipe balances traditional techniques with modern twists, making it accessible for home cooks seeking something beyond standard fare.

Unexpected ingredients elevate this classic dish, turning a simple meal into a gourmet adventure.

Subtle nuances of spice and depth invite you to savor every delectable bite.

Your next meal promises to be a delicious journey of taste and satisfaction: Let’s cook!

Why This Curry Chicken Salad Hits Different

• Roast and Enhance Flavors: The oven-roasting method brings out deep, rich flavors in the chicken, creating a more complex and delicious base for the salad compared to boiled or poached chicken.
• Exciting Flavor Fusion: The combination of curry powder, chutney, and white wine creates a unique, tangy, and slightly sweet dressing that transforms ordinary chicken salad into an extraordinary culinary experience.
• Textural Delight: Blending creamy mayonnaise-based dressing with crunchy cashews, crisp celery, and tender chicken provides a satisfying mix of textures that makes every bite interesting and enjoyable.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: This recipe works perfectly for multiple occasions – from casual lunch gatherings to elegant picnics, making it a go-to dish that impresses with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Essentials for a Curry-Spiced Chicken Bowl

• Chicken Breasts: Juicy and lean protein base for the salad, best when fresh and boneless.
• Roasted Cashews: Crunchy nutty element that adds texture and richness to the salad.
• Raisins: Sweet dried fruit that provides a nice contrast to the savory chicken.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy base that binds the salad ingredients together, choose a good quality brand.
• White Wine: Adds subtle depth and acidity to the dressing.
• Chutney: Sweet and tangy condiment that brings complex flavor to the dish.
• Curry Powder: Warm spice blend that gives the salad its signature aromatic character.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances overall flavor profile.

• Celery: Crisp vegetable that adds fresh crunch and lightness to the salad.
• Scallions: Mild onion-like herb that provides a sharp, fresh note to the mixture.
• Olive Oil: Used for roasting chicken, helps create a golden and moist exterior.

Toss Together a Salad That Packs a Punch

Step 1: Prepare The Oven

Warm your oven to 350°F (180°C), creating the perfect cooking environment for tender chicken.

Step 2: Season And Roast Chicken

• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper

Roast for 35-40 minutes until chicken is completely cooked through and golden.

Step 3: Shred Chicken Meat

Allow chicken to cool slightly. Remove meat from bones, discard skin, and chop into bite-sized chunks.

Step 4: Create Creamy Curry Sauce

• Mayonnaise
• White wine
• Mango chutney
• Curry powder
• Salt

Pulse until smooth and well combined.

Step 5: Mix Salad Components

• Diced celery
• Chopped green onions
• Sweet golden raisins

Ensure everything is evenly coated.

Step 6: Chill And Develop Flavors

Refrigerate salad for 2-3 hours, allowing ingredients to mingle and enhance taste.

Step 7: Finish And Serve

Right before serving, sprinkle with roasted cashews. Enjoy at room temperature for maximum flavor.

Quick Fixes to Level Up Your Chicken Salad

• Maximize Flavor Infusion: Let the curry chicken salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, allowing the spices and dressing to meld together beautifully.
• Texture Perfect Technique: Fold in the crunchy cashews just before serving to maintain their crisp texture and prevent sogginess.
• Smart Protein Preparation: Cool the cooked chicken completely before mixing to prevent wilting the vegetables and ensure a fresh, crisp salad.
• Personalization Power: Experiment with different dried fruits like cranberries or cherries to create your own signature version of this classic recipe.
• Creamy Balance Hack: Adjust the mayonnaise and curry powder gradually, tasting as you go to create the perfect balance of moisture and spice.

Chill and Store That Curry Mix Like a Pro

• Vacuum Seal Method: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer to remove excess air. Transfer curry chicken salad into vacuum-seal bags, press out remaining air, and seal tightly. This technique prevents oxidation and maintains flavor intensity for up to 5 days.
• Portioned Storage Technique: Divide salad into individual serving containers before refrigerating. Smaller portions minimize exposure to air and prevent bacterial growth. Each container stays crisp and tasty, reducing potential spoilage and allowing quick grab-and-go meals.
• Glass Container Strategy: Choose transparent glass containers with tight-fitting lids for optimal preservation. Glass prevents odor absorption and allows easy visual inspection of food quality. Position containers in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf, to maintain consistent temperature and extend shelf life.

Add a Twist of Sweet or Spice to the Salad Game

• Mediterranean Fusion: Replace raisins with sun-dried tomatoes and kalamata olives. Swap cashews for crumbled feta cheese and add fresh oregano for a Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Caribbean Kick: Incorporate diced mango, jalapeños, and replace white wine with fresh lime juice. Use Caribbean-style curry powder for extra heat and tropical flavor profile.
• Herb Garden Blend: Mix in fresh chopped dill, parsley, and chives. Replace white wine with Greek yogurt for a lighter, herbaceous chicken salad. Include toasted pine nuts instead of cashews for added texture.
• Wellness Power Bowl: Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, add quinoa for protein, and include diced cucumber and fresh spinach. Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds for extra nutritional boost and crunch.

One Cool Farewell to Curry Chicken Perfection

Curry chicken salad emerges as more than mere sustenance—it’s a culinary journey through complex flavors and textures.

Ina Garten’s signature recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience.

Carefully balanced notes of curry and chutney dance alongside tender chicken pieces.

Cashews provide unexpected crunch while raisins offer subtle sweetness.

Scallions introduce a gentle sharpness that elevates the entire composition.

Passionate palates will discover this dish speaks volumes about sophisticated comfort cooking—share your kitchen adventure, spark conversations, and inspire fellow food enthusiasts to explore this delightful recipe.

Barefoot Contessa Curry Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Barefoot Contessa’s curry chicken salad delivers Mediterranean-inspired comfort on a plate. Fragrant curry powder, juicy chicken, and crunchy almonds create a delightful blend of textures and flavors you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 whole (6 split) chicken breasts, bone-in, skin-on
• 3 tablespoons curry powder
• 340 grams (12 ounces) good mayonnaise (Hellman’s recommended)

Vegetables and Herbs:

• 200 grams (7 ounces) medium-diced celery (2 large stalks)
• 60 grams (2 ounces) chopped scallions, white and green parts (2 scallions)

Additional Ingredients:

• 80 milliliters (2.7 fluid ounces) dry white wine
• 60 grams (2 ounces) chutney (Major Grey’s recommended)
• 40 grams (1.4 ounces) raisins
• 140 grams (5 ounces) whole roasted, salted cashews
• Olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Initiate oven preparation by heating to 180°C (350°F), ensuring optimal temperature for roasting chicken.
2. Place whole chicken breasts onto a baking tray, massaging with extra virgin olive oil and seasoning comprehensively with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper for enhanced flavor profile.
3. Roast chicken breasts for approximately 35 to 40 minutes, verifying internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F) to guarantee complete cooking.
4. Allow roasted chicken to cool naturally for 10-15 minutes, then carefully deconstruct meat from bones, removing skin and discarding.
5. Dice chicken into uniform, bite-sized pieces approximately 1 centimeter (1/2 inch) in dimension for consistent texture.
6. Construct creamy dressing by blending mayonnaise, dry white wine, mango chutney, aromatic curry powder, and salt in a food processor until achieving smooth, homogeneous consistency.
7. Combine diced chicken with prepared dressing, ensuring thorough and even coating of meat.
8. Incorporate finely chopped celery, thinly sliced scallions, and plump raisins into chicken mixture, gently folding ingredients together.
9. Refrigerate salad for 2-3 hours, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
10. Immediately before serving, fold in roasted, roughly chopped cashews to maintain their crisp texture and provide delightful crunch.
11. Serve at ambient temperature, presenting as a refreshing and sophisticated chicken salad.

Notes

• Preserve the crunch by adding cashews right before serving, ensuring they stay crispy and provide a delightful texture contrast.
• Experiment with personal twists by swapping raisins for dried cranberries or selecting a chutney that matches your taste preferences.
• Enhance flavor depth by letting the salad chill in the refrigerator for several hours, allowing spices and ingredients to meld together.
• Fine-tune the dressing’s consistency and taste by adjusting mayonnaise and curry powder to suit your palate.
• Prioritize ingredient quality by selecting fresh, vibrant chicken and crisp vegetables that elevate the overall salad experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 250 kcal
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 13 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg