Any time I make chicken salad I’m reminded of that Newleywed’s episode with Jessica Simpson and the whole Chicken of the Sea debacle. I’ve never actually used canned chicken to make it (see yesterday’s post for explanation on my canned fish & meat aversion) but just the mention of the dish brings me back to college, watching that show with my roomates (along with every other awesome MTV show of the early 2000s) in complete envy of her, her hot husband and their awesome house. That’s like the ultimate branding, seeing something and immediately associating it with something else, right? Companies would kill for that. Too bad I’m sure that’s not exactly what Chicken of the Sea had in mind for their product.
Fast forward 10 years, she’s divorced, engaged to someone not even remotely as hot (in my opinion) and having to deal with a newborn. I’m not so envious anymore. Although, I wouldn’t mind the $1 million contract to get my ass in shape. Somehow, 99% of the population has to pay to lose weight and then the people that can more than afford it get handed million dollar contracts to do so. That makes sense.
Oddly enough, chicken salad made another mental connection for me last night as I ate the leftovers of this on the couch at 9pm…apple seeds are poisonous. Did you know that?! No? Well then, you should watch the GI Joe cartoon episodes circa 1983 like my husband does every morning and night. Last night they were fighting a germ blob that was about to take over New York City and kill millions if they didn’t stop it. Of course, the only way to do that was to feed it apples because it would overdoes on the poisonous seeds and blow up. Duh. Traditional bombs would’ve just caused mitosis (can you believe GI Joe used terminology like that?! I think 80% of that cartoon went over my head as a kid) and the blob would actually multiply. I started laughing in my “I can’t believe you watch this stupid childhood show, you’re 32.” kind of way when Ulysses got all defensive and pointedly told me to google it because apple seeds really are poisonous. Of course I did expecting to win this one and maybe get control of the Netflix remote for the remainder of the night and that’s when Wiki answers let me down. Apple seeds…cyanide…who the hell knew?! And here we are using rhymes and promises of keeping the doctor away to get kids to eat one.
Thankfully, there’s no apples in this chicken salad. Just peaches, fresh summer corn and chicken that’s been marinated in a soy, honey mustard. Not poisonous and deliciously perfect for summer.
- 2 thin sliced chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey mustard
- salt & pepper
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 peach, chopped
- 2 ears of corn on the cob, kernels sliced off
- ¼ cup basil leaves, chopped
- Combine chicken breasts, soy sauce, honey mustard and salt & pepper in a bowl.
- Toss to coat and let marinate for at least 2 hours, up to 24 hours.
- Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add olive oil and cook chicken breasts for about 3 minutes per side, until fully cooked but still moist.
- Remove from heat, place in stand mixer and shred on a medium speed. Or, shred by hand.
- Set aside.
- Combine peaches, basil and corn in a large bowl.
- Add shredded chicken, season with salt and pepper to taste and toss to combine.
- Eat alone as a salad or rolled in a tortilla with greek yogurt and avocado.
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
I have to laugh, everytime I see Chicken of the Sea, I think of Jessica Simpson. lol I love the combination you used for your salad, it sounds wonderful, I must try it!! It’s really creative!
Lovely combo! Might just have to make a vegan version!
Deep inside a peach pit there is something that looks exactly like an almond which I decided to eat one day. Only later did I google it and find out it contained cyanide also, awesome.
I know exactly what you’re talking about…that’s poisonous too?! What the eff?
You’ve managed to make a vegetarian salivate at the sight of meat. Well done, Gina
Wonder if it’d be good with tofu or something for a herbivore-friendly version? Or crumbled tempeh..?
I bet some pan fried tofu would be great in it!
I like baked or BBQ’d tofu. It has a firm, meaty texture that would be great with the corn and peaches. The BBQ tofu has a slightly smokey flavor, I use it often in place of meat or cheese in a salad because it is so satisfying.
Ooh! Those are both some great ideas. I cook with tofu all the time, and I do love BBQ (it’s probably one of the things I miss most about eating meat). That would work great. Thanks ladies!
I am always on the lookout for a new spin on a chicken salad. Never thought of using peaches but have tried it with grapes. Will have to try this recipe.
Great combination with the peach to make it really summery!
Ha! I so remember that episode. I don’t mind canned tuna though. In fact, we had tuna salad last night. For chicken salad though I love using rotisserie chicken. These flavors sound so amazing Gina!
For some reason, canned tuna irks me but tuna in those packet things doesn’t. It makes no sense, they both smell equally disgusting.
ugh, canned meat = gross. i think the only thing i can stomach it in is chili and that’s because all of the flavors are so strong that it masks the canned flavor!
this on the other hand sounds AHMAHZING!
I’m glad I’m not the only one with a husband who loves weird shows and cartoons. He’s a big child.
Love this!!
You pretty much just combined like 3 of my favorite flavors in one dish. I’m so on board.
I was all for this salad and now I’m wrapped up in the whole apple seed bit. Really?!
Which part? The fact that my husband watches GI Joe or the fact that they’re poisonous?
I love your photos! The styling is so cute.
Thanks, Sarah!
I was obsessed with that show. I was obsessed with her. I told myself I was going to change my name to Jessica after I graduated college. And then I grew up haha…but yeah, I agree, Nick Lachey is hot! But he’s with someone hotter now so good for him
I’m on board with all the flavors in this dish, sounds just lovely!
This looks fantastic! PS: I found this post through a link on another blog…when I go to your home page I still see the PW chicken recipe from last week. Not sure why or if it’s just me?
oh yum. yum!
This sounds so different and delicious!
{ 1 trackback }