Ingredients
- 2 lbs Chicken Breast (Boneless, skinless; poach or roast for best texture)
- ¾ cup Mayonnaise (Use quality mayo like Duke’s or Hellmann’s; Greek yogurt adds tanginess)
- 1 cup Celery diced (Finely chopped for uniform texture; optional: use less for creamier salad)
- ¼ cup Red Onion minced (Sweet white onion works as alternative; reduces sharp bite)
- ½ cup Red Bell Pepper diced (Green peppers work too; adds color and crunch)
- ½ cup Green Bell Pepper diced (Yellow or orange peppers offer mild sweetness)
- ¼ cup Dill Pickle Relish (Sweet pickle relish adds brightness; omit for less tangy version)
- 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice (Fresh squeezed preferred; lime juice works as substitute)
- ¾ teaspoon Sea Salt (Add gradually to taste; taste before serving)
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper (Freshly ground enhances flavor; white pepper works too)
- ¼ teaspoon Paprika (Optional; adds subtle warmth and color)
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder (Fresh minced garlic intensifies flavor)
Instructions
- Place two pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a large pot and cover completely with cold water.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat, then reduce to medium and simmer for fifteen to twenty minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of one hundred sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove chicken from hot water using tongs and allow it to cool on a cutting board for five minutes before handling.
- Dice the cooled chicken into half-inch pieces, creating uniform cubes for consistent texture throughout your Jersey Mike’s chicken salad recipe.
- Transfer diced chicken to a large mixing bowl and add three-quarter cup of quality mayonnaise.
- Stir gently until the chicken is evenly coated with mayonnaise without breaking the tender pieces apart.
- Fold in one cup of finely diced celery, one-quarter cup of minced red onion, and one-half cup each of diced red and green bell peppers.
- Stir in one-quarter cup of dill pickle relish to achieve the tangy flavor characteristic of this Jersey Mike’s chicken salad recipe.
- Add two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and whisk thoroughly to distribute the citrus brightness throughout.
- Season with three-quarter teaspoon of sea salt and one-half teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper.
- Add one-quarter teaspoon each of paprika and garlic powder, then taste and adjust seasonings as needed for your Jersey Mike’s chicken salad recipe.
- Transfer the completed Jersey Mike’s chicken salad recipe to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least thirty minutes before serving.
- Serve the Jersey Mike’s chicken salad recipe on toasted submarine rolls, over fresh lettuce, or as a standalone side dish.
Notes
Poach rather than bake your chicken for the Jersey Mike’s chicken salad recipe because poaching keeps the meat incredibly moist and tender without drying out the delicate protein. Dice all vegetables uniformly before combining them so each bite contains the same ratio of chicken to vegetables and seasonings. Allow your Jersey Mike’s chicken salad recipe to chill for at least thirty minutes before serving because the resting time allows mayonnaise to coat each ingredient and flavors to develop properly. Store leftover Jersey Mike’s chicken salad recipe in an airtight container on the coldest shelf of your refrigerator to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Poaching
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Pescetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¾ cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
