Basil Parmesan Chicken Salad

I am always looking for new ways to make an ordinary dish into something spectacular. For me, this one was a real winner! These ingredients are approximate, so increase or decrease to taste and desired consistency.

Basil Parmesan Chicken Salad

3 cups cooked, diced/shredded chicken
About 2 Tablespoons fresh basil leaves (more or less to taste), plus 1 Tablespoon water to process
1/2 cup plain Greek Yogurt
1/4 cup mayonnaise (more if needed)
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Dash of salt and pepper (I used Wildtree's Rancher Steak Rub

Method: Place diced chicken in a medium mixing bowl. Process basil leaves and just enough water to mince in a blender or smoothie maker. Process until very finely chopped, but not pureed. Pour onto chicken and add the rest of the ingredients. Stir well and refrigerate for an hour or more. Garnish with a sprig of fresh basil. Serve on Italian Herb Bread.

(For the bread, I made my favorite whole wheat recipe and shaped 2/3 of it into a regular loaf and made a disc with the remaining 1/3. I placed the disc in a greased round cake pan and brushed the top with Wildtree's Basil Pesto Grapeseed Oil and sprinkled with Wildtree's Tuscany Bread Dipper Seasoning. Then I cut it into triangles to serve with the chicken salad. It was scrumptious!!!!)

Quick and Easy Chicken Salad

You can vary this recipe SO many ways. Use your imagination with the ingredients in your cabinet and enjoy. Just don't eat bland chicken salad ever again. :)

2 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded (Use leftover grilled chicken breast for added flavor or even use canned. Your choice.)

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream

Now here's where it gets fun. For this recipe, I used 2 Tablespoons Wildtree Absolutely Onion Blend (similar in nature to Lipton's onion soup mix) and about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of Wildtree Dill Dip Blend. I enjoyed my husband's raves from this combination.

Use whatever seasonings you like from your own spice cabinet. Just zest it up with something.

You can also add finely chopped celery and/or onion for a little crunch. Sometimes I use milder seasonings (like Wildtree Opa! Greek Seasoning) and add grapes (quartered), chopped walnuts and the smallest amount of bleu cheese.

Mix, refrigerate for a minimum of 1/2 hour so flavors can blend and enjoy!