Great Grandma’s Hot Chicken Salad

Today’s recipe comes all the way from my beloved, late Great Grandma, and it was passed down to me by my Grandma.  My Grandma is a great cook and she’s always sending me recipes and healthy eating articles she’s clipped from magazines, since she’s diabetic.  I love that this Hot Chicken Salad recipe is in her own sweet handwriting.  You can tell I’ve used it a bunch since the notecard is worn and dirty- a great sign of a good dish!

Over the years, I’ve tweaked the recipe some and added a few new ingredients.  I never really measure anymore, opting to just toss everything in- about a cup of each vegetable.  

Ingredients
  • 1 Rotisserie Chicken – I like to use the white meat only 
  • Olive oil – couple tablespoons
  • Onion – diced
  • Carrots- diced
  • Celery- diced 
  • Peas- frozen
  • Garlic- couple cloves minced
  • Light mayonnaise – 1/2 cup
  • Cream of mushroom soup- one can
  • Fat free milk- a glug 
  • Sliced olives – small jar
  • Prepared Pesto – couple tablespoons 
  • Lemon juice – couple squeezes
  • 2% shredded cheese – a big handful 
  • Large shell macaroni (you can use whole wheat) – cup cups dry 
  • Salt and pepper to taste- I usually just add a very small amount. 
Directions
  • Boil the pasta until al dente.
  • In a second large pot, cook the onion, celery, and carrots in olive oil until softened.  Add garlic.
  • Shred the chicken and add to the pan.
  • Add mayo, cream of mushroom soup, milk, olives, lemon juice, and pesto.
  • Add the peas.
  • Add the cooked shells.
  • Stir to combine.
  • Pour the mixture into a baking dish and top with shredded cheese. 

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  • Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. 

  • This is one of the meals I portion out into about 10 small plastic containers and take to work with me.   I reheat it for about a minute.

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7 Comments

  1. December 3, 2012 / 9:28 pm

    Looks yummy – thanks for sharing!

  2. December 3, 2012 / 9:35 pm

    Wow! That looks amazing!! I am definitely trying this out. Thanks!

  3. December 4, 2012 / 9:15 pm

    Looks delicious – I will have to make it. I think my 18 month old will love it.

  4. Leanne
    December 7, 2012 / 4:52 pm

    This looks super yummy! I am going to have to try this out!

  5. December 13, 2012 / 3:10 am

    Made it. Next time I'll leave out the pesto.

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