One of my all time favorites, our wild rice chicken salad! And today we’re sharing the recipe with you.
After moving back to Minneapolis from California, I landed a job serving tables and managing Townhall Brewery in Minneapolis for a handful of years. And man, how I miss working and the people there! Still to this day one of my favorite places to go grab a microbrew and enjoy some good food. And I also got some insights on some real good recipes while working there, like this one.
Townhall had the best wild rice chicken salad, and sadly, they took it off the menu. And I was devastated! Probably because I was ordering it regularly and also, subbing things in and off of the salad and I’d encourage our guests to do the same. ha! But it was soooo good and luckily, something super simple to make at home.
This salad recipe is one that is on rotation in our home, especially in the summer months. You can find us making this weekly! The combination of the refreshing salad yet warm wild rice that melts the cheese perfectly is just oh so delicious.
I hope you enjoy this salad as much as we do! And make sure to compliment it with our homemade ranch recipe too or it won’t taste the same.
Enjoy!
Wild Rice Chicken Salad Recipe
Elevate your taste buds with our Wild Rice Chicken Salad, a tantalizing blend of juicy, jerk-seasoned chicken, warm wild rice, and crisp veggies, all drizzled with homemade ranch dressing. Quick and easy to make, this recipe brings together contrasting textures and bold flavors for a mouthwatering experience that will have you coming back for seconds. It's comfort food with a kick, ready to delight your senses in every bite!
Ingredients
- 2 Chicken breasts, seasoned with 1 tbsp Jerk Seasoning
- 1 bag or head of lettuce (take your pick)
- 1/2 cup shredded Colby cheese (or any cheese you fancy)
- 1-2 Tomatoes or a handful of cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup Croutons
- 1 bag of 90-second wild rice (or 1 cup if you're feeling traditional)
- Ranch dressing (Homemade is a game-changer – check out the recipe, it's a must!)
Instructions
Dice and Brown the Chicken:
- Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
- In a pan over medium heat, add oil to the pan, and 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!
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.
Prepare the Salad Base:
- Cut up your lettuce and toss it into a large bowl. Or add your bag to the bowl. I love a good crunch to my lettuce with this bowl.
- Add the shredded Colby cheese and diced tomatoes to the bowl.
Assemble the Bowls:
Mix it up into one bowl or divide it into your bowls. Depending if you and your family or guests like your salads tossed beforehand. For me - it depends what kind of mood I'm in. But for this recipe, either tastes great!
- 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.
- Finish it off by drizzling your favorite ranch dressing over the top. Don't be shy – it ties everything together.
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:
Ingredients:
- 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! Dive in and savor every bite. It's a flavor party that'll leave you craving more. Enjoy!
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