The first official day of summer is Friday, but it has felt like summer for me for weeks. I love dining al fresco, even when most would consider it too hot outside. The heat makes me crave lighter dishes, but I have a hard time finding something light with flavor. Sorry iceberg lettuce, but a bland leafy salad doesn’t always cut it. My dad introduced me to this spicy chicken salad with cheese wafers and now it is one of my summer staples! I prefer this version of spicy chicken salad because it has less mayonnaise and more crunch. The cheese wafers are a great alternative to boring crackers, but it is difficult to not eat a whole batch. I have not tried to make a gluten-free version, but I am curious how they would taste with almond or rice flour. Download the full recipes below! xoxo
Photos via Alex Phillips.
Print recipe for Spicy Chicken Salad
2 chicken breasts
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 celery stalks, diced
1 shallot, diced
1/2 cup spicy pickle chips
3 tablespoons diced pimentos
1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons spicy pickle juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (1/4 for mild)
Boil or bake chicken breasts until cooked through. Shred chicken with a fork and combine with other ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well and chill until ready to serve.
1/2 cup unsalted butter, sliced
2 cups coarsely grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
Combine butter, cheese, flour, pepper, and salt in a food processor and pulse several times until crumbly. Then process for 30 seconds to 1 minute until dough forms. Transfer the dough to a sheet of parchment paper and roll it into a log about 2 inches thick and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut chilled dough into 1/4 inch thick slices and arrange them on a baking sheet where they are not touching. Bake for 12 minutes or until golden and crisp. Immediately sprinkle with salt and cool before serving.
