Layered Chicken Salad with Special Dressing 🥗

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours (chilling time)
Total Time: 24 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 12

Description:

Different from the usual layered salads – this has a unique dressing with relish & raisins in it. Posted by request. This recipe was originally from Taste of Home magazine.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups lettuce
• 2 cups long grain white rice
• 1 cup fresh parsley, minced
• 1 cup tomatoes, diced
• 1/4 cup cucumber, sliced
• 2 red bell peppers, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 onion, diced
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1/2 cup red bell peppers, sliced into rings
• Fresh parsley leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Layering the Salad: In a large, deep glass bowl, start by layering half of the chicken, ensuring an even distribution. Follow this with a layer of crisp lettuce leaves, creating a base for the salad’s structure.

2. Creating the Rice Layer: In a separate mixing bowl, combine the long grain white rice, vibrant green peas, and freshly minced parsley. Once well mixed, carefully spoon this rice mixture over the layer of lettuce, ensuring an even distribution across the surface.

3. Adding the Vegetable Layers: Continuing the layering process, add the diced tomatoes, refreshing cucumber slices, and the vibrant red and green bell peppers on top of the rice layer. These colorful layers not only add visual appeal but also contribute to the salad’s refreshing taste and texture.

4. Completing the Chicken Layer: Once the vegetable layers are in place, add the remaining portion of chicken over the top. This layering ensures that each serving of the salad contains a generous portion of protein-rich chicken, perfectly complementing the array of fresh vegetables.

5. Preparing the Special Dressing: In a separate mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, creamy sour cream, plump raisins, finely diced onion, and a hint of milk for creaminess. To enhance the flavor profile, add the aromatic celery seed and piquant mustard powder. Thoroughly mix all the ingredients until well combined.

6. Dressing the Salad: Carefully spoon the prepared dressing over the layered salad, ensuring even coverage across the surface. It’s important not to stir the dressing into the salad layers; allowing it to settle on top enhances both presentation and flavor.

7. Garnishing the Salad: For an extra touch of elegance, garnish the salad with a decorative circle of red bell pepper rings encircling the outer edge. Additionally, add a fresh sprig of parsley in the center to enhance the salad’s visual appeal.

8. Chilling the Salad: Once assembled and garnished, cover the layered chicken salad with plastic wrap or a tight-fitting lid and transfer it to the refrigerator. Allow the salad to chill and marinate for a minimum of 8 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.

9. Serving Suggestions: Before serving, remove the chilled salad from the refrigerator and allow it to sit at room temperature for a few minutes to slightly soften. To serve, carefully portion out individual servings, ensuring each plate receives a generous portion of all the colorful and flavorful layers.

This Layered Chicken Salad with Special Dressing is a delightful addition to any gathering or potluck, offering a unique twist on the classic layered salad recipe. With its vibrant colors, diverse textures, and tantalizing flavors, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser! Enjoy 😋🥗