This post is part of a monthly series brought to you by Meijer  to share the savings you can experience in their store and online. Like all posts on Basilmomma.com all opinions are my own and the thoughts therein were created solely by me to educate and hopefully inspire!

Light Summer Meal- Chicken Salad 4 Ways with Meijer

It’s hot outside and depending on where you live it might be raining. It has rained here more days this summer than not. As a matter of fact a storm ripped through my area the other day and a tree fell on my house! We are all fine, but my roof isn’t. Needless to say the tree went through the roof!

Thankfully, I had some cooked chicken chilling in the refrigerator for a no-cook meal I had planned. On the menu that stormy day was chicken salad 4 ways. Why 4 ways? Why not?! Actually it is because all 4 members of my family like it a different way. So chicken salad 4 ways it was!

Anytime I see boneless, skinless chicken breasts on sale at Meijer I grab them. What I don’t need at the time I freeze for later. That way I always have something on hand and at the ready. Plus, a good meat sale is hard to beat!

Did you catch my post last month about 10 Tips for the Perfect BBQ on a Budget? 

Before the storm, I bought groceries, brought them home and pre-cooked the chicken to pull out later in the week for a few recipes. This is a time saver and an excuse buster. You know the ones- you are hot, you have been busy all day and you really don’t think you can make dinner? Well, having part of the work done already helps bust the excuses. On this particular day, I went into the kitchen and 25 minutes later I had chicken salad 4 ways for my family AND the crew cleaning up the mess in my yard. It was a light summer meal that is also quite portable! Best of all I saved money on all of it. Not only was the chicken on sale- the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, tomatoes bread, herbs, and green beans were too!

My recipes for chicken salad 4 ways are simple and best made about an hour before you plan to eat them. It is always a good idea to let the salads meld a bit in the refrigerator. Also, make sure all pieces are chopped small as to have a uniform bite. Lastly, make sure all ingredients are near to the same temperature ie: cold chicken, mayo, etc. No hot chicken in cold mayo (food safety ya’ll!)

These are great on bread, toasts, crackers or even stuffed in a tomato or on a bed of greens!

Tzatziki Chicken Salad
Serve with pita chips
2/3 C plain reduced-fat Greek yogurt
1/4 C finely chopped red onion
1 TB fresh lemon juice
2 tsp fresh dill, chopped
pinch kosher salt
fresh black pepper, to taste
1 medium cucumber, seeded and shredded
1 clove garlic, minced
2 C shredded chicken, cold
Combine first 8 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk.

Add chicken and toss to coat.

Creamy Tarragon Chicken Salad
Serve with rounds of bread
1/3 C plain reduced-fat Greek yogurt
1/4 C light mayonnaise
1 TB fresh tarragon, chopped
pinch of kosher salt
fresh black pepper, to taste
2 C shredded chicken, cold
1/4 C red onion, thinly sliced
Combine first 5 ingredients in a bowl, stirring with a whisk.

Add chicken and onion, toss to combine.

Chicken and Green Bean Salad
Serve with thinly sliced baguette toasts
1 1/2 C fresh green beans, trimmed and cut in half, steamed and cooled
3 Tb olive oil
1 1/2 TB fresh lemon juice
1 1/1 TB Dijon mustard
1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
pinch  kosher salt
fresh black pepper, to taste
2 C shredded chicken, cold
1 C  cherry tomatoes, halved
Combine oil and next 5 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk.

Add chicken, green beans and tomatoes and toss to combine.

Avocado Chicken Salad
Great served over tortilla chips
2 TB olive oil
2 TB fresh lime juice 
pinch of kosher salt
fresh black pepper, to taste
2 C shredded chicken, cold
1/4 C chopped cilantro
3/4 C salsa of your choice
1 ripe avocado, peeled and chopped
Combine first 4 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk.

Add chicken and cilantro;toss to combine. Gently fold in salsa and avocado.

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