Chicken salad sandwiches may seem so old school to you – so lady’s lunch, so country club, or so just boring. Well, let me be the first to tell you that chicken salad is not boring! I had my first ever chicken salad sandwich when I was living in Vermont and going to boarding school at Okemo Mountain School.
The town I lived in was called Ludlow, and it was one mile long. Yes, from the beginning of town to the end was one street, and one mile. Way smaller than Mammoth Lakes! I guess I have enjoyed the small town mountain lifestyle for sometime now, haha.
My school was at one end of town, and the access road to the mountain was on the other end of town. Also on that side was the Darkside Snowboard Shop and next door was Java Baba’s. While we frequently went to Darkside, obviously it was only a matter of time before we found Java Baba’s as well. It’s a small cafe that serves coffee, breakfast, and lunch. One of the items on their menu was a Chicken Salad Sandwich.
Now, if anyone has ever been to boarding school or worked or stayed at a camp for an extended period of time, then you know the cafeteria food sucks. I wouldn’t even call our boarding school cafeteria food, as it was really just an extra large house where everyone lived and also had classes. The kitchen was slightly upgraded to a partial commercial kitchen with a walk in fridge, but it really wasn’t anything fancy. But, we did have the same stuff all the time. So, of course we were always wanting to eat something different whenever we had the chance to. And Java Baba’s was one of the only places in town, go figure. But, their chicken salad sandwiches were out of this world. And, I don’t know if they still are or if they were just so much better than dorm food, or if I was just so stoned every time I went in there that they were just so delicious. But, whatever it was, they were the ones that turned me on to chicken salad.
They served theirs on a big French roll and it was so giant that we could buy it for lunch and eat half for lunch and half for dinner, and never have to see the dorm kitchen if we wanted. And that was also a treat in and of itself! My best friend (who I met at boarding school and I am still friends with today) and I would sneak off to Java Baba’s any chance we got! And after coming home from boarding school, I used to make chicken salad often. But you know how things can sometimes just get forgotten and then you don’t buy the ingredients and then it just becomes a while before you make it again.
Well, with Otto being sick, we have been buying literally every single meat there is. And canned chicken made it into the shopping cart one day for him. He ate an entire can the first time we bought it for him, and then we bought more and he wouldn’t touch it. So, Delaney and I have been making Chicken Salad Sandwiches with it and then adding canned chicken to our shopping list each week, because they are so good!
Tips for Making the Best Chicken Salad Sandwiches
• Bread is key in this sandwich. Java Baba’s used a French roll for theirs, but we just don’t have any organic options for that here. And I haven’t had a single moment to make something like bread in a while. But, it’s a great choice as it holds in the chicken salad very well. I use organic sourdough, which tastes delicious with the chicken salad and it’s a sturdy bread if you toast it. Other options that would also be delicious would be a whole wheat roll, pumperknickle, or literally a hot dog bun would work very well and also be delicious. The trick with the bread is make sure it is sturdy. Don’t use flimsy slices or super spongy bread that will soak into the chicken salad and then become soggy. And toasting the bread helps it become more sturdy as well, so that part is key!
• I use organic canned chicken whenever I make chicken salad. It just makes it really easy! You can also use chicken breast as well, that would also be delicious and give it a little different texture. My favorite brand is Valley Fresh Organic Chicken. It’s what I buy when I make this.
• There is nothing like classic chicken salad. But, you can also add lettuce to this sandwich as well.
• This chicken salad is also amazing for just dipping crackers in!
Chicken Salad Sandwiches are an easy and quick lunch to make. This recipe for Chicken Salad Sandwiches is packed with protein for a delicious lunch that fills you up!
Ingredients
One 10-ounce can organic chicken
2 tablespoons organic mayo
1 teaspoon organic Honey Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons organic sweet relish
2 stalks organic celery, diced
2 slices organic red onion, diced
Salt and pepper to taste
4 slices organic sourdough bread
Directions
- In a medium bowl, add the chicken, mayo, mustard, relish, celery, and red onion. Stir together to combine completely. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Toast the bread. Add chicken salad to toasted bread, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Gluten Free — Use gluten free bread.
- High Altitude — Follow the recipe as noted.
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