Jalapeno Holly Chicken Salad
Creamy shredded chicken salad gets a spicy kick from pickled jalapenos, balanced with rich cream cheese and savory bacon.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded, 680g
- 4 oz block cream cheese softened, 113g
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt 120g
- 3 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup pickled jalapenos finely chopped, 45g
- 1 tbsp juice from the pickled jalapeno jar 15ml
- 1/4 cup red onion finely diced, 40g
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt or to taste
Instructions
- If using raw chicken, place the breasts in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove from water, let cool slightly, then shred the chicken using two forks.
- While the chicken cooks, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, then crumble or chop it.
- In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir with a spatula until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add the shredded chicken, crumbled bacon, chopped jalapenos, jalapeno juice, and diced red onion to the bowl with the cream cheese mixture.
- Stir everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated in the dressing.
- Taste the chicken salad and add more salt or pepper if needed. For best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
Ensure chicken is safe to eat by checking that its internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C) with a meat thermometer.
To save time, you can use about 3-4 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own.
The flavors in this salad deepen as it chills. It's a great option to make a few hours ahead of time.
Adjust the amount of jalapenos and jalapeno juice to match your preferred spice level.