Skip to main content

Jamie’s Nutty Orange Chicken Salad

Back in the days of The Bag Lady, when Mama was making bag lunches and we were delivering them, she would always make a chicken salad. For the fall and holiday season she would add walnuts and mandarin oranges to make a colorful, festive lunch with a delicious nutty-sweet appeal. This is Jamie’s version. It’s a hearty, packed-with-protein meal that looks as good as it tastes.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

2 cups diced cooked chicken
2/3 cup mayonnaise
2 hard-cooked large eggs, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
1 celery rib, diced
1/4 cup sliced scallions (white and light green parts)
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 cups (about 3 ounces) crisp greens, like romaine or Boston lettuce, for serving
One 15-ounce can mandarin oranges, drained, for garnish

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a large bowl, combine the chicken, mayonnaise, eggs, walnuts, celery, scallions, lemon juice, salt, and pepper and mix well.

    Step 2

    Divide the greens equally among four to six plates. Serve the chicken over the greens and garnish with the orange segments.

  2. a bit more, y’all

    Step 3

    Mama likes to put halved seedless purple grapes in her salad—you can add them here for a little more fruit and a nice color contrast.

[![The Deen Bros. Take It Easy</a> <p>Reprinted with permission from <a href=](/images/recipesmenus/bookcovers/deenbrostakeiteasy.jpg)The Deen Bros. Take It Easy](http://astore.amazon.com/epistore-20/detail/0345513266) by Jamie Deen, Bobby Deen, and Melissa Clark. Copyright © 2009 Jamie Deen, Bobby Deen, and Melissa Clark. Published by Random House Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. Jamie and Bobby Deen grew up in Georgia—first in Albany and then in Savannah—and, like many Southerners, they have always considered cooking and food a big part of their lives. When their mother, Paula Deen, started a sandwich delivery business in 1989, the boys took charge of deliveries. As the business grew into The Lady restaurant, they continued to help. Then, in 1996, the trio opened The Lady & Sons Restaurant to resounding success. They haven't looked back since. They regularly appear on ABC's Good Morning America and had their own Food Network show, Road Tasted. Melissa Clark has written for The New York Times, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, and Real Simple and has collaborated on twenty-one books.
Read More
Grab your Easter basket and hop in—you’ll want to collect each and every one of these fun and easy Easter recipes.
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
Like airy lemon chiffon cake and a Cadbury egg–inspired tart.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like lemony risotto and tandoori-style cauliflower.
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.