Brunch Time Chicken Salad Recipes

Chicken salad isn't usually on the top of everyone's brunch menu. People usually want omelets, French toast and the typical breakfast meats such as ham, bacon or sausage. Yet a brunch shouldn't be laden down with high calories or high cholesterol. It should be considered a light meal with the emphasis on easy prep and more time with one's table companions. These easy chicken salad recipes are perfect for that with almost zero prep time . Even the most novice cook can prepare these sophisticated salads. Plus they're a great way of getting rid of leftover chicken

French Tarragon Chicken Salad

3 cups leftover chicken
3-4 tablespoons mayonnaise
2-3 tablespoons of dried tarragon or fresh tarragon
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
In a large bowl combine chicken and mayonnaise. Stir well with a spoon.
Add either dried or fresh tarragon (you can put in more if you want a really strong flavor) . Season to taste.
Serve fresh at your brunch table. (if you want you can chill this for half an hour before serving).
This salad tastes best served on sliced fresh croissants. Add freshly made fruit salad as a side dish.
For an canapé spread use two 4.25 ounce cans of deviled chicken instead of the fresh chicken. Serve on whole wheat crackers at cocktails.

Fresh Oriental Chicken Salad.

3 cups leftover chicken
1/2 cup chopped celery
½ cup water chestnuts
½ cup steamed snow peas

Oriental Dressing (see below recipe)

Steam snow peas in either steamer or microwave steamer for one minute.
Chop two to three stalks celery .
Mix with chicken, celery , and water chestnuts. Add Oriental dressing, mix and serve. For added flair serve the salad with rice crackers..

Oriental Dressing

1 cup light virgin olive oil or vegetable oil
¼ cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon grated ginger or 1 teaspoon of ginger juice*
pinch sugar.

Mix oil and soy sauce in a small mixing bowl. Gradually add the ginger and sugar. Stir well.

*Liquid ginger can be bought at www.gingerpeople.com or at any Whole Foods store.

.