Jill Can Cook: Chicken Salad Sandwich

Sometimes, I am just in the mood to try out a new recipe with no requirements other than the fact that I've never made the recipe before. That's how I chose this recipe. I woke up one morning knowing that I had to meal plan and grocery shop that morning. So, I went online and sifted through my millions of dinner dish pins on Pinterest. After a long time of searching, I got to the bottom of my folder, my oldest pins ever, and there this recipe was.

Joe likes chicken salad. I like chicken salad. We would both need to eat food for lunch and instead of buying deli meat/making leftovers or (God forbid!!) buying a $10 sandwich on the go (or a $5 slice of pizza!! Why is fast food so expensive!!?!?!?!). I saw this recipe and knew it could be whipped up in a jiffy.

Before I get going, I want to mention a few things:

1. This recipe was originally supposed to be a copycat of Panera Bread's chicken salad
2. I've never been to Panera Bread or have eaten their chicken salad.
3. The recipe is a copycat of an older recipe and the recipe Panera uses has since changed.
4. I am not following the recipe exactly. So, don't go to Panera Bread thinking you're going to have a chicken salad sandwich AT ALL like mine.

Anyway, I'm sorry this whole recipe is a huge lie. I just want some yummy chicken salad!

My "It's Nothing Like Panera Bread's" Chicken Salad Sandwich 

Adapted from:
Panera Bread At Home

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• red onion, chopped
• lettuce
• mustard (I used honey dijon because I hate yellow mustard)
• onion powder
• garlic powder
• pepper
• salt
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 cup mayonnaise 
• 1 1/2-2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• sliced white bread 

Directions:

1. Butterfly chicken.
2.  Season both sides of the chicken with garlic and onion powder. 
3. Heat oil in a saucepan on medium heat.
4. Add chicken to saucepan. Cook until chicken is cooked through.
5. Set the chicken aside and let cool.
6. Chop the celery, red onion, and the cooled chicken and set in a bowl.
7. In another small bowl add mayo, sugar, pepper, salt lemon juice and whisk until well combined. You want the sugar to disintegrate so that you're not tasting the grain.
8. Mix the mayo mixture with the chicken, celery, and onion mixture.
9. Take a slice of bread (or wrap or pita pocket) and add any extra fixings you like (like lettuce, tomato, etc).
10. Top with the chicken salad and another slice of bread.
11. Enjoy!

I made this dish when Joe was home and for the life of me, I couldn't get him to help me with one step! I was feeling quite lazy and would've loved the help, but I powered through, all on my own, because I love you guys (all 3-4 of you brazilians and russians!). You guys deserve the best and I hope, for once, I can give you the best... Onto the pictures!!

I cooked that chicken like a boss!

I got a new knife recently. It made the celery and red onion chopping go by so fast!!

The mayonnaise sauce was so creamy and smelled enticing!

I mixed the chicken, celery, and onion together before I added in the sauce just to make sure everything was evenly distributed.

The finished product, minus the bread.

I started making this a little later than I planned. I'd wanted to have it for lunch that afternoon, and by the time it was mixed, it was past lunch time so I was starving and dying to eat.

Let me just stop right here to say: It was very enjoyable but... It was more enjoyable the next day, after it had been refrigerated (as opposed to room temperature that first time I ate it) and also after the flavors had a chance to marry. So, keep that in mind if you decide to make it.

Joe picked out the best lettuce! 

I didn't realize that this recipe would yield so much chicken salad! Joe and I each had a sandwich that day. I had two more sandwiches over the course of the next few days. Joe had one more sandwich and then ate the rest without any bread (no idea why, but he said it was really good like that, too!).

I even perfectly toasted that bread!

I didn't even try to give any of this to the kids. I gave them grilled cheese sandwiches or pb&j sandwiches on the days that I ate the chicken salad. I'm sure they appreciated it. They aren't very adventurous eaters. 

Mmmm... 

Joe makes a really great chicken salad as well, but I like this one better. Joe prefers anything he doesn't have to cook. I think we'd both give this recipe an A+, especially when it came to the flavor of the leftovers! I'm also glad I finally made something that I'm proud to share with you guys! So hurry up and make it and let me know what you think!