Ah, chicken salad. It’s the taste of childhood, of home, of picnics in the park. It’s also one of the best ways to repurpose the last of that chicken that’s not quite enough for a meal, but more than a snack. Snazz it up with bell peppers fresh from your garden, and enjoy the fresh flavors of your own home harvest.

With this Chicken Salad with Bell Pepper Crunch, gone are the days of gooey, mayo-laden salads. Now we lean toward something leaner and lighter, and plain yogurt does the trick. I like the texture of Greek yogurt, but it’s all a matter of taste. Can you still use mayo or something like it? Sure; why not? One of my friends uses her favorite creamy salad dressing to bring everything together.

The best thing about making a chicken salad is that there are no hard and fast rules; you add what you like (or what you happen to have on hand). This is a great way to use up leftover chicken as well as the odd piece of cucumber or that handful of grapes. Maybe you have some zucchini sitting in your produce bin with no real purpose. Well, add it in!

I have always found that bell peppers add a special texture and flavor to my chicken salad, and I always try to squeeze in as many colors as I can. When I’m planning which peppers to plant for the next season, I keep this traditional picnic dish in mind and aim for maximum color and flavor.

When it comes to spices, the tarragon is just a suggestion. I like the way tarragon complements the taste of the chicken. If you prefer basil or something spicier, use that instead. When you make homemade Chicken Salad with Bell Pepper Crunch, let your leftovers and your seasoning preference be your guide. Let us know what variation works best for you.

Chicken Salad with Bell Pepper Crunch

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Chicken Salad with Bell Pepper Crunch is perfect as a main dish, a side dish, or tucked into a pita pocket for lunch. Adjust the spices as you like to make this salad your own!

• Author: Norann Oleson
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: Serves 16
• Category: Salads & Dressings

Ingredients

• 2 cups of cubed or shredded chicken
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper
• 1/2 cup yellow bell pepper
• 1/4 cup diced cucumber
• 1/2 cup red or green grapes, halved
• 1 small apple, cored and diced (skin on)
• 1/3 cup plain yogurt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh tarragon (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
• Pinch of salt (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and toss to mix well.
2. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving, to allow flavors to meld.
3. Serve on a bed of lettuce, or as a sandwich on bulky rolls or sandwich wraps.

Would you like to grow bell peppers? Bell peppers are one of the most popular home gardening crops. And no wonder: with so many varieties to choose, you can grow a whole rainbow in your garden! With the Beautiful Bell Peppers Gardening Guide, you’ll have everything you need to know about growing and enjoying this delicious fruit.

Have you tried this recipe? It’s a quick and easy way to brighten up your basic chicken salad. Let us know how it turned out for you!