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Get ready to dive into the ultimate comfort food – our Wild Rice Chicken Salad! It’s a no-frills recipe, but trust me, it’s the kind of dish that sneaks up on you with its simplicity and deliciousness. Wild rice tends to be the underdog in my pantry, and I bet you’ve had those moments too. Well, today, I’m pulling this gem out of the bag and sharing the goodness with you.

Chicken Wild Rice Salad Recipe

So, here’s the backstory: After my time in sunny California, I found myself working the tables and managing the hustle at Townhall Brewery in Minneapolis for a good chunk of years. Those were the days, and oh, how I miss the energy and the amazing people! Townhall remains a favorite place to dine out. Lucky for me, I also walked away with some awesome recipes after having gotten to know the chefs well, and the Wild Rice Chicken Salad was one of the real MVPs. And a recipe they took of their menu while I was there. But luckily, I could still whip this one up at home. 

Alright, let’s get down to business and bring this Wild Rice Chicken Salad to life! Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make this mouthwatering dish:

Ingredients

• 2 Chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp Jerk Seasoning (or more if you’re a spice enthusiast!)
• 1 bag of 90-second wild rice (or follow package instructions for traditional wild rice)
• 1 bag or head of lettuce (your choice)
• 1/2 cup shredded Colby cheese (or your preferred cheese)
• 1-2 Tomatoes or a handful of cherry tomatoes, diced
• 1 cup Croutons
• Ranch dressing (Homemade, see recipe below)

Instructions

1. Dice and Brown the Chicken:
   • Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
   • In a pan over medium heat, brown the diced chicken until fully cooked.
   • Once cooked, generously sprinkle the Jerk Seasoning over the chicken to your liking. Mix well to ensure every piece is coated. I’m talking flavor explosion here!
2. Prepare the Wild Rice:
   • If using the 90-second wild rice, follow the package instructions for microwaving.
   • If using traditional wild rice, cook it according to the package instructions. It might take a bit longer, but the nutty flavor is worth the wait.
3. Prepare the Salad Base:
   • Cut up your lettuce and toss it into a large bowl.
   • Add the shredded Colby cheese and diced tomatoes to the bowl.
4. Assemble the Bowls:
   • Divide the lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes among serving bowls.
   • Now, it’s layering time! Spoon the seasoned chicken over the salad base.
   • Top it off with a generous serving of warm wild rice. The contrast in temperatures is key here – trust me.
   • Sprinkle croutons over the top for that satisfying crunch.
5. Drizzle with Ranch Dressing:
   • Finish it off by drizzling your favorite ranch dressing over the top. Don’t be shy – it ties everything together.
6. Enjoy the Bliss:
   • Mix it all up, making sure every bite has a bit of everything – the spicy chicken, the nutty wild rice, the crisp veggies, and that creamy ranch goodness.
   • Get ready for a flavor explosion that’ll have you reaching for seconds!

Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe

Ingredients: Full recipe here

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried parsley)
• 1 teaspoon fresh chives, finely chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried chives)
• ½ teaspoon dried dill weed
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• Milk (enough to thin dressing to desired consistency)

Mix all the ingredients together until well combined.

There you have it – your Wild Rice Chicken Salad adventure! Go ahead, dive in, and savor the goodness! And don’t forget to pair it with our homemade ranch – trust me; it’s the secret sauce that makes this salad sing. Enjoy!