Toasting the walnuts to enhance their flavor is the only cooking required with this walnut chicken salad. (Linda Gassenheimer)

Toasting the walnuts to enhance their flavor is the only cooking required with this walnut chicken salad. (Linda Gassenheimer)

Flavorful chicken salad is perfect for a hot summer night

The only cooking you need to do for this dish is toast the walnuts to enhance their flavor.

Walnuts and basil flavor this simple chicken salad. It’s a flavorful salad that is easy to put together. The only cooking is to toast the walnuts to enhance their flavor. So, it’s perfect for a hot summer night.

With using store-bought chicken, this dinner can be ready in less than 10 minutes.

Helpful hints:

■ Any type of cooked chicken can be used, such as chicken strips or rotisserie chicken.

■ Almonds or pecans can be used instead of walnuts.

Countdown:

■ Toast walnuts.

■ Mix mayonnaise and tomatoes together for the sauce.

■ Complete the salad.

Shopping list:

To buy: 1 package walnuts, 1 jar reduced-fat mayonnaise, 1 can reduced-sodium canned diced tomatoes, 1 package cooked boneless, skinless, chicken breast strips or rotisserie chicken breast, 1 bunch celery, 1 bunch basil, 2 whole wheat rolls.

Staples: salt and black peppercorns.

Walnut chicken salad

¼ cup broken walnuts

¼ cup reduced-fat mayonnaise

1 cup reduced-sodium canned diced tomato, drained

10 ounces cooked boneless, skinless, chicken breast

4 cups washed, ready-to-eat salad greens, torn into 2 to 3-inch pieces

½ cup sliced celery

¼ cup fresh basil torn into bite-size pieces

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 whole wheat rolls

Place walnuts on a foil lined baking sheet in a toaster oven or under a broiler and heat 1 to 2 minutes. Watch to see they don’t burn. Mix mayonnaise and tomatoes in a medium-size bowl. Cut chicken into ½ to 1-inch cubes. Add to a bowl. Add walnuts, celery, basil and salt and pepper to taste. Toss well. Divide lettuce leaves between two plates. Spoon chicken salad over leaves. Serve with the rolls.

Makes 2 servings. Nutrition per serving: 579 calories (41% from fat), 26.3 grams fat (3.4 grams saturated,6.3 grams monounsaturated), 126 milligrams cholesterol, 48.7 grams protein, 35.6 grams carbohydrates, 9.6 grams fiber, 463 milligrams sodium.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

What’s Up columnist Andrea Brown with a selection of black and white glossy promotional photos on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Free celeb photos! Dig into The Herald’s Hollywood time capsule

John Wayne, Travolta, Golden Girls and hundreds more B&W glossies are up for grabs at August pop-up.

Rodney Ho / Atlanta Journal-Constitution / Tribune News Service
The Barenaked Ladies play Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville on Friday.
Coming events in Snohomish County

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

Edmonds announces summer concert lineup

The Edmonds Arts Commission is hosting 20 shows from July 8 to Aug. 24, featuring a range of music styles from across the Puget Sound region.

Big Bend Photo Provided By Ford Media
2025 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend Increases Off-Road Capability

Mountain Loop Highway Was No Match For Bronco

Cascadia College Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor Midori Sakura looks in the surrounding trees for wildlife at the North Creek Wetlands on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cascadia College ecology students teach about the importance of wetlands

To wrap up the term, students took family and friends on a guided tour of the North Creek wetlands.

Mustang Convertible Photo Provided By Ford Media Center
Ford’s 2024 Ford Mustang Convertible Revives The Past

Iconic Sports Car Re-Introduced To Wow Masses

Kim Crane talks about a handful of origami items on display inside her showroom on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Crease is the word: Origami fans flock to online paper store

Kim’s Crane in Snohomish has been supplying paper crafters with paper, books and kits since 1995.

The 2025 Nissan Murano midsize SUV has two rows of seats and a five-passenger capacity. (Photo provided by Nissan)
2025 Nissan Murano is a whole new machine

A total redesign introduces the fourth generation of this elegant midsize SUV.

A woman flips through a book at the Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pop some tags at Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley

$20 buys an outfit, a unicycle — or a little Macklemore magic. Sales support the food bank.

The Mukilteo Boulevard Homer on Monday, May 12, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Homer Hedge’: A Simpsons meme takes root in Everett — D’oh!

Homer has been lurking in the bushes on West Mukilteo Boulevard since 2023. Stop by for a selfie.

Sarah and Cole Rinehardt, owners of In The Shadow Brewing, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In The Shadow Brewing: From backyard brews to downtown cheers

Everything seems to have fallen into place at the new taproom location in downtown Arlington

Bar manager Faith Britton pours a beer for a customer at the Madison Avenue Pub in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Burgers, brews and blues: Madison Avenue Pub has it all

Enjoy half-price burgers on Tuesday, prime rib specials and live music at the Everett mainstay.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.