Celiac.com 11/03/2008 - I've always had trouble getting my kids to eat salads, so when I first saw this recipe I immediately wondered if this would be the one that "does the trick," and convinces them that salads are not just good for you, but can also taste good too. What I liked best about this recipe was how simple it was to prepare. Most chicken salad recipes that I've made involve cooking—and fortunately this one uses Valley Fresh Canned Chicken (which is gluten-free, the ingredients are very basic: white chicken, water and sea salt)—so it is ready-to-eat directly from the can, and does not require any cooking. 

I tried out the canned chicken beforehand on a sandwich to make sure that I would like it. I simply drained it, then mixed it with gluten-free mayonnaise, diced pickles, onions and celery, and made a sandwich with gluten-free bread and found that is was very good—so I had high hopes for my "child-proof" salad.

It took me about 15 minutes to make the recipe, and another 10 minutes to chill the finished salad before serving it, so the total preparation time on the recipe of 25 minutes is accurate. The finished salad looks fun, and the first thing my kids said when they saw it was "fruit salad...yummy!" My three-year-old daughter's reaction to her first bite was "mmmmm," so I was half way there. My seven-year-old son is harder to please than my daughter, but since he thought that it was fruit salad he was willing to try it...this alone was a victory. And his reaction—two thumbs up!

So I finally "tricked" them into liking a salad—and I did it by using an excellent salad recipe that combines a range of healthy ingredients that include fresh fruits, vegetables, yogurt and Valley Fresh Canned Chicken. Oh, by the way, adults will like this recipe too! I would recommend this simple recipe to anyone who wants to eat a healthy salad (end even for those who are hard to please!). See the recipe and pictures below.


Valley Fresh Gluten-Free Fruited Chicken Salad

Serves: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

Dressing:

• 1/4 cup plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder, optional
  

Salad:

• 1 (10 ounce) can Valley Fresh 100% Natural White Chicken, drained
• 1 peach, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 cup seedless green grapes, cut in half
• 1/2 cup seedless red grapes, cut in half
• Lettuce
• 1 ounce shredded reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese
  

Directions:
Mix together yogurt, orange juice, honey, poppy seeds, ginger, and garlic powder. Add chicken and fruit. Toss gently to coat. Serve chilled on lettuce and garnish with cheese.


Photo 1: Valley Fresh Canned Chicken


Photo 2: The ingredients


Photo 3: Prepped ingredients


Photo 4: Mixed ingredients


Photo 1: Finished salad

Subscribe to free Celiac.com email alerts (1-3 email per month with the latest celiac disease research and information, gluten-free recipes, etc.).