(Pretty Close to Car Wash's) Chicken Salad

Our town has a lovely little restaurant called Car Wash Cafe that's located, yep you guessed it, in the city's car wash.  The owner & her staff are delightful and friendly and you always feel like they're glad to see you. They have many signature dishes on the menu, and I suspect every patron would have a different favorite. Personally I love Taco Salad Tuesday, but sadly in 2020 Covid times that is a dish they're no longer offering 😥  Instead I have fixated on their Chicken Salad, served over greens with a generous amount of fresh fruit or on a grilled sandwich with a decadent order of shoestring French fries. Mmmmm.  It's also occasionally available at the deli of our local grocery store, but apparently my timing is pretty bad to pick some up there because it's hard to find.

I really, really, really wanted that chicken salad!   So I went on a frantic internet search.  After several batches that weren't even close, I hit pay dirt.  This recipe is pretty doggone close, and is simple to make.  Ah, I'm happy now.

The recipe to cook the chicken is given, but I used a store-bought rotisserie chicken.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/chicken-salad-recipe-2011682

Chicken Salad

4 cups diced poached chicken, recipe follows

1 stalk celery, cut into 1/4-inch dice

4 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced or 1/4 cup sweet onion cut into 1/4-inch dice

1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh tarragon or fresh dill

2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley

1 cup prepared or homemade mayonnaise

2 teaspoons strained freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

POACHED CHICKEN FOR SALADS:

10 sprigs parsley

2 sprigs fresh thyme

1 small onion, halved

1 small carrot, halved

1 stalk celery, halved

3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts halves, fat trimmed

5 to 6 cups chicken broth, homemade or low-sodium store bought

Toss together the chicken, celery, scallions, dill and parsley in a large bowl.

In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, salt and pepper to taste. Add to the chicken and mix gently until combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Put the parsley, thyme, onion, carrot, celery, and chicken breasts in a medium saucepan. Cover with the broth, and bring just to a boil. Lower the heat to very low and cover. Poach the chicken until firm to the touch, about 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, uncover and cool the chicken in the liquid for 30 minutes.

Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and reserve the liquid. Bone and skin the chicken and roughly chop the meat into about 1-inch pieces. Discard the bones and skin.

Strain the broth and store, covered, in the refrigerator for 3 days or freeze for later use. Remove any fat from the surface of the broth before using.

Serve on a bed of lettuce with sliced tomatoes, in half an avocado or in a chicken club sandwich made with artisanal bread, crispy smoked bacon, vine-ripened tomatoes and lettuce.