Chicken salad

Chicken salad is one of the most obvious uses for leftover chicken, but that doesn't make it boring or unworthy of consideration. If you've been burned by bland chicken salad in the past, making your own allows you to experiment with different seasonings. Nobody could accuse coronation chicken salad of lacking flavor, thanks to the curry powder and apricots.

A good chicken salad is all about finding the right balance of flavors and textures and designing the perfect bite. You don't want mush in your mouth, so you need something crunchy. Celery, green apples, nuts, and scallions are all excellent options (though probably not all at once). Select a crunch that complements the other flavors you're bringing to the party. Because most chicken salads are creamy, adding some sharp flavors to wake up your palate is a good idea. Vinegar, citrus, hot sauce, or cayenne pepper can all be used. It's difficult to go wrong if you start with an open mind and taste after you add each ingredient.