Hot Chicken Salad

 

I 've been making some meals in each of the places I have been in the last month.  I feel a little like I have been cooking across America. When I was in Phoenix, I made a few meals for my Dad.  One of them was this Hot Chicken Salad.  He loved it.  Its one of my favorites too.  Even though this is called Chicken Salad, it isn't really like Chicken Salad to me.  It is just a yummy chicken casserole that has many of the things that you put into a chicken salad, such as Chicken, Mayo, Celery and and onions.  Its a classic "down home" Casserole, that has been a round for quite a while. If you need some inspiration for dinner, this one might be just the thing.  It is a creamy chicken mixture topped with almonds and crackers crumbs for the perfect crunchy crust.

Hot Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

3/4 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons lemon juice (or the juice of 1 small lemon)
3 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
1/3 cup onion, finely chopped
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup slivered almonds

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup cracker crumbs, potato chips or corn flakes, crushed (I use whole wheat cracker crumbs).
3 T butter, melted


Directions:
1.   In a large bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, and until smooth.
2.   Stir in the chicken, onion, celery and salt.
3.   Spoon into a greased 11 x 7  or 9 x 9  baking dish. 

4.   Sprinkle with Almonds

5.   Top with cheese

6.   Combine cracker crumbs and butter;  Sprinkle over casserole.
7.   Bake, covered, 30-35 minutes or until casserole is bubbly and cracker crumbs are lightly browned.

 Makes 6 servings.

Enjoy!