Chicken Salad's Best Friend: Cheeses To Compliment Your Dish

Chicken salad is a versatile dish that can be customised to your liking. One of the most important aspects of a chicken salad sandwich is the cheese. The right cheese can elevate your sandwich from good to great. When choosing a cheese for your chicken salad sandwich, consider the flavour and texture of the salad. If your chicken salad is on the blander side, opt for a cheese with a strong flavour, and if your chicken salad is already very flavourful, choose a milder cheese. For a chunky chicken salad, go for a smooth, spreadable cheese, and for a creamy salad, select a cheese that holds its shape.

Mozzarella, Swiss, cheddar, and more: the best cheeses for chicken salad sandwiches

Chicken salad sandwiches are a lunchtime classic. They're simple to make and can be customised to your liking. One of the most important aspects of a chicken salad sandwich is the cheese. The right cheese can take your sandwich from good to great.

When choosing a cheese for your chicken salad sandwich, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, think about the flavour of the chicken salad. If it's on the bland side, you'll want to choose a cheese with a strong flavour. Conversely, if the chicken salad is very flavourful, you'll want to choose a milder cheese. Secondly, consider the texture of the chicken salad. If it's chunky, a smooth, spreadable cheese is a good option. If the chicken salad is creamy, opt for a cheese that will hold its shape.

With that in mind, here are some of the best cheeses to use in your chicken salad sandwiches:

Mozzarella

Mozzarella is a versatile cheese with a mild flavour that adds a creamy texture to your sandwich without overpowering the other ingredients. It pairs well with herbs such as basil. For an extra indulgent sandwich, try using fresh mozzarella instead of the pre-sliced variety.

Swiss

Swiss cheese is a classic option for chicken salad sandwiches. It has a mild flavour and melts beautifully when heated, making it perfect for grilled chicken salad sandwiches. It also works well in cold salads, as it doesn't overpower other flavours or textures.

Cheddar

Cheddar is one of the most popular cheeses in America, and for good reason. It has a sharp flavour that pairs well with almost any dish, and it melts beautifully. Mild cheddar is a particularly good option for chicken salad sandwiches, as it won't overwhelm the other flavours.

Gouda

Gouda is a soft and creamy cheese with a hint of acidity that helps to cut through the richness of the mayonnaise in your chicken salad. It's perfect for sandwiches as it's easy to slice and has a mild flavour that won't overpower the other ingredients.

Brie

Brie is a soft cow's milk cheese with a creamy texture and an earthy flavour. It melts easily, making it ideal for grilled chicken salad sandwiches. You can usually find brie at most grocery stores, but be sure to check the expiration dates to ensure it's fresh.

Goat Cheese

Goat cheese has a creamy and tangy flavour with a nutty aftertaste. It adds a different texture to your sandwich and balances out the flavour profile. It's a great option if you're looking for something a little more unique.

Feta

Feta is a salty and creamy cheese that pairs well with chicken. Its saltiness helps to cut through the richness of traditional dressings like ranch, without overpowering them. If you're worried about adding too much sodium, simply use half the amount of feta you usually would.

Blue Cheese

Blue cheese is a strong and flavourful cheese that goes well with chicken. It's a great option if you're looking for something with a bit of a bite. Blue cheese crumbles are also a popular addition to salads, so why not add some to your sandwich?

Chicken salad grilled cheese: a recipe

Ingredients

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, boiled and shredded
• 1 cup green grapes, cut in half
• 1 medium red onion, diced
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 8 oz can water chestnuts, diced
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 10 slices Texas Toast, thick bread
• 10 slices mozzarella cheese, or your favourite cheese
• Butter

Method

First, make the chicken salad. In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken and mayonnaise. Then, add the grapes, red onions, green onions, water chestnuts, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and chill.

Next, make the grilled cheese sandwiches. Butter each slice of bread on one side. Then, place a couple of slices in a large frying pan, griddle, or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add a slice of cheese, some chicken salad, and another slice of cheese. Top with another slice of bread and cook both sides until golden. Repeat until all sandwiches are made.

You can cover the skillet with a lid to help the cheese melt.

Tips

• Make your grilled cheese on medium heat and no higher. Cranking up the heat won’t cook them faster. It just burns them.
• You can bring the chicken salad to room temperature to ensure that it heats up fully and evenly while the bread is toasting.
• Any kind of substantial, thick-cut bread slices will work for this recipe.
• Try adding a bit of garlic powder to the bread to make garlic bread grilled cheese.
• You can use mayo in place of butter for an extra crispy, tangy grilled cheese sandwich.
• Add a slice or two of tomato, bacon, and lettuce.

Chicken salad without mayo: using cottage cheese as a binder

Chicken salad is a versatile dish that can be made with various ingredients, including cheese. While the standard chicken salad contains mayonnaise, you can easily substitute it with cottage cheese, which acts as a binder and adds protein to your meal. Here is a guide to creating a delicious chicken salad without mayo, using cottage cheese as the secret ingredient.

Ingredients

• Cooked chicken breast
• Cottage cheese
• Onion (yellow, white, or sweet)
• Celery
• Spices (salt, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and nutmeg)
• Honey
• Lemon
• Optional: grapes, apples, hard-boiled eggs, dried cranberries, pecans, walnuts, fresh herbs

Steps to Prepare

First, chop or shred your cooked chicken breast and set it aside in a large bowl. Then, blend together the cottage cheese, onion, honey, lemon juice, and spices in a food processor until smooth. Pour this mixture into the bowl with the chicken. Stir well to ensure the chicken is completely coated. Finally, stir in the celery and adjust seasoning to taste.

Tips and Variations

• If you prefer a thicker consistency, blend in more cottage cheese.
• For a more tangy flavour, add a little more lemon juice.
• To make it crunchier, add some chopped walnuts or pecans.
• For a fruity twist, add chopped grapes or apples.
• You can also experiment with different types of onions and spices to find your perfect combination.

Serving Suggestions

This chicken salad is a delicious and healthy option for lunches or snacks. You can serve it on a bed of lettuce, with crackers, sliced veggies, or in a sandwich. It's a versatile dish that can be customised to your taste preferences.

Comparison with Mayo

Chicken salad with cottage cheese offers a healthier alternative to the traditional mayo-based version. It has less fat and provides more protein. Additionally, cottage cheese has a neutral flavour, so it won't overpower the other ingredients in your salad.

Chicken salad with cheddar: a melt recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups chicken breast, shredded or cubed
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup celery, finely chopped
• 1 cup sharp chedder cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 1/2 cup bacon crumbles
• 2 slices of bread
• Butter
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Ingredients

• Sour cream
• Tomato slices
• Parsley

Method

• Place the chicken, celery, onions, bacon, and cheese in a large bowl and top with the mayonnaise and sour cream.
• Mix well until everything is evenly coated and distributed throughout.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Butter two slices of bread and place the mixture on one slice. Top with tomato slices and parsley (optional).
• Cover with the other slice of bread (butter side up).
• Place the sandwich in a skillet and cook until browned on one side (2-3 minutes). Flip and cook on the other side until browned.
• Cut in half and enjoy!

Tips

• For a lighter option, serve the chicken salad in a hallowed avocado or tomato, or stuff it in a pita or wrap.
• If you're short on time, use store-bought rotisserie chicken.

Chicken salad with feta: a crumbly, salty cheese

Chicken and feta is a classic combination, and for good reason. Feta is a salty, creamy cheese that goes exceptionally well with chicken salad. Its distinctive flavour comes from being cured in a brine solution, giving it a more intense taste than other cheeses.

When choosing feta for your chicken salad, opt for a block of feta rather than pre-crumbled feta, as the texture will be superior and it will taste fresher. To crumble the feta, use your hands to break it into small pieces, or use a fork to create a finer crumble. You can also use a food processor for an even finer crumble, but be careful not to over-process it.

As feta is a salty cheese, you may want to reduce the amount of salt you add to the rest of the salad. It pairs well with ingredients like cucumber, tomato, lettuce, and onion, and you can add a dressing of olive oil and lemon juice to complement the feta. Chicken salad with feta is best served cold, and the flavours will develop if you leave it in the fridge for a few hours before serving.

If you want to bulk up your chicken salad with feta, you could add some boiled eggs, avocado, or even some pasta shapes. Feta also goes well with fruit like grapes or cranberries, nuts, and seeds, so you could add some of these for extra texture and flavour.

So, next time you're looking for a tasty, salty twist on a classic chicken salad, why not give feta a try? It's sure to be a delicious addition!

Frequently asked questions