Hot Chicken Salad Recipe From Spain

There’s a common misconception that salads are merely bland combinations of vegetables that lack flavor, but fortunately, Spanish recipes dispel this myth.

Spanish salad recipes like the chicken salad with carrots and the chicken mango salad are proof of that, yet in this article, we will focus on a this tasty dish: the hot chicken salad recipe.

Here, we will show you our take on this beloved Andalusian salad, and we will share some tips for storing, serving, and ingredient changes that you could follow.

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Pssst…!!?? You can’t get enough of Spanish salad recipes? Have a look at my other posts:

• Chicken salad with tostadas

• Cranberry chicken pecan salad

• Apple salad with chicken

Background of the Dish

Hot chicken salad recipes come in all shapes and forms, with North American versions often resembling a chicken casserole more than a traditional salad.

The hot chicken salad recipe from Southern Spain stands out because it features warm chicken as the star, accompanied by both fresh and sautéed vegetables.

The recipe continues with the culinary tradition of Andalusia, using the classic dressing that you could find in other traditional recipes, such as the Spanish salad bowl and the chicken salad wraps.

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Things You’ll Need for Hot Chicken Salad Recipe

To make the best hot chicken salad recipe you will need chicken breasts, bell peppers, red onion, garlic clove, olive oil, romaine lettuce, red wine vinegar, and paprika as the main ingredients.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup (180gr) cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup (70gr) pitted green olives
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1 red onion
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 head romaine lettuce
• 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper

How to Make Hot Chicken Salad Recipe – Step by Step Guide

1. To start with this recipe for hot chicken salad, you have to cut the cherry tomatoes and the pitted olives in half. Cut the bell peppers in half, discard the seeds, and remove the stem. Cut the bell peppers and onion into julienne style. Mince the garlic clove. Set them aside.

2. After that, season the chicken breasts with paprika, salt and pepper. Heat a skillet with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and cook the chicken for about 8 minutes per side or until fully cooked. Cut into strips or bite-sized pieces.

3. Now, using the same skillet, add more olive oil if needed and sauté the red and green bell peppers, garlic, and red onion until they soften. This will take about 5 to 7 minutes.

4. To continue with this Spanish chicken salad recipe, wash the romaine lettuce leaves and drain them so as not to end up with a watery salad.

5. Then, grab a small bowl, and mix olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper. This will be the dressing for the Spanish chicken salad.

6. Now is the time to assemble the hot salad. For that, grab a large salad bowl and mix the warm chicken and vegetables (both the warm and cold ones). Pour the dressing on top and gently toss it around.

7. Up next, place the chopped green olives on top of the Spanish-style salad.

8. For the final step in this hot chicken salad recipe, simply serve the salad warm. As an alternative, you can sprinkle a bit of paprika on top of the salad for an extra kick.

Substitution of Ingredients

This hot chicken salad recipe is amazing because you get to customize most of the ingredients as long as you have cooked chicken and a variety of warm vegetables.

For example, instead of chicken cooked in a pan, you could deep fry some chicken as you would do for the crispy chicken salad, cut it into strips, and add them to this salad.

Besides that, you can include other vegetables, such as carrots, boiled potatoes, cucumber, zucchini, or sweet potatoes, offering a new variety of textures and flavors.

To make this dish more hearty you can mix it with summer chickpea salad, adding canned cooked chickpeas, white beans, or black beans for added protein and fiber. 

Can’t get enough of Spanish salads? Then you must visit our recipes for healthy chicken salad, keto chicken salad recipe, or the Spanish eggplant salad, presenting healthier and nutritious alternatives without compromising on flavor.

Tips on Serving Hot Chicken Salad Recipe

This hot chicken salad is commonly served warm, so it is the perfect dish for transitioning seasons, bringing comforting warmth for cooler weather while showcasing fresh vegetables.

To add a new layer of flavor and texture to the best-ever hot chicken salad recipe, you can serve it with grated parmesan or manchego cheese, as it will melt on top of the warm chicken, adding a deliciously creamy and savory touch.

Additionally, you can elevate this salad by adding bacon bits, similar to a chicken bacon salad, or toasted chopped nuts, for a smoky flavor and extra crunch. 

Just like other Spanish salads recipes, this one too can be served as a main dish, all you have to do is to adjust the serving size so you have a satisfying meal.

Are you a fan of chicken appetizers? Then we have more recipes for you, such as the Spanish chicken croquettes, the fajita chicken salad, and the chicken empanada recipe.

How to Store Hot Chicken Salad Recipe

Once you finish making the hot chicken salad recipe, you can serve it right away or store it in the fridge, but there are some instructions that you should follow.

First, you can only store the cooked chicken and vegetables from this Spanish salad recipe, as the other ingredients can’t be stored or it will negatively affect their flavor and texture.

Then, place the Spanish chicken salad in a covered container (with a lid, plastic wrap, or a clean plastic bag), and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.

When ready to serve, heat the chicken and cooked vegetables and then mix them with the fresh ingredients from the hot chicken salad recipe, pouring the dressing on top and serving.

Apart from traditional Spanish salads, there are more recipes that you can make and store for a longer amount of time, such as the chicken soup without noodles, the Spanish garlic chicken, and the Spanish grilled chicken.

Recipe Card: Hot Chicken Salad Recipe

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