Melon, smoked chicken and grape salad

Name: Melon, smoked chicken and grape salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: Serves 6
Cuisine: American recipes
Ingredients: For the dressing; 60g mayonnaise; 2 tsp dijon mustard; Finely grated zest and juice ½ lemon; 3 tbsp parsley leaves, finely chopped, plus extra to garnish; 2 tbsp tarragon, finely chopped, plus extra to garnish; For the salad; 1 charentais, cantaloupe or honeydew melon (around 800g); 500g smoked chicken (or leftover chicken), torn or chopped into bite-size pieces; 300g black and/or green seedless grapes, halved; 40g flaked almonds, lightly toasted, plus extra to garnish

By: Debora Robertson

Published: 21 Jun 23
Updated: 18 Mar 24

Test kitchen approved

This chicken salad is refreshing and totally fit for summer. The recipe comes from food writer Debora Robertson, who says: “I have been making this salad, and versions of this salad, for decades, ever since I shared a flat with a Southern Belle from Virginia in my second year at university. Once she made it for a lunch with some fellow Americans. One took a bite and declared ‘Mary Martha, I believe you must have been to a lot of debutante lunches this summer’. Whether you’re a southern debutante or not, it’s entirely appropriate for the season.”

You can find smoked chicken in some supermarkets and delis, or online from smoked-foods.co.uk, but you can also make it with leftover roast or barbecued chicken, or shrimp.

Serves 6
Hands-on time 15 mins

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Ingredients

For the dressing

60g mayonnaise
2 tsp dijon mustard
Finely grated zest and juice ½ lemon
3 tbsp parsley leaves, finely chopped, plus extra to garnish
2 tbsp tarragon, finely chopped, plus extra to garnish

For the salad

1 charentais, cantaloupe or honeydew melon (around 800g)
500g smoked chicken (or leftover chicken), torn or chopped into bite-size pieces
300g black and/or green seedless grapes, halved
40g flaked almonds, lightly toasted, plus extra to garnish

Method

Put all the ingredients for the dressing in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Season to taste with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Halve the melon, scoop out the seeds, cut into wedges and trim away the rind. Chop into bite-size pieces and put in a large serving bowl with the chicken, grapes and almonds. Season with a few grinds of black pepper, then trickle on the dressing, tossing gently until just combined. Scatter over a few more almonds and herbs and serve immediately.

Recipe from July 2023 Issue

Nutrition

Nutrition: per serving

Per serving 276kcals, 13g fat (1.4g saturated), 24g protein, 13g carbs (13g sugars), 2.5g salt, 2.8g fibre DF GF

Calories: 276kcals
Fat: 13g (1.4g saturated)
Protein: 24g
Carbohydrates: 13g (13g sugars)
Fibre: 2.8g
Salt: 2.5g

delicious. tips

Make sure the melon and grapes are very cold, but remove the chicken from the fridge about 30 minutes before tossing everything together so it loses some of its fridge chill.

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Melon, smoked chicken and grape salad

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