This chicken salad is bursting with the fresh summer flavors of ripe peaches and spicy fresh basil. Thanks Hampton Creek for sponsoring this post.
Is it just me or is summer produce just the best? It’s so fresh and flavorful that you don’t really feel like you’re eating healthy stuff. Winter’s broccoli and Brussels sprouts? You definitely feel like you’re eating veggies. But summer’s sweet corn and vine ripened heirloom tomatoes? They’re such treats!
Two of my other favorite summer flavors? Fresh basil and ripe, juicy peaches. And we’ve got tons of both of those around here.
The basil in my garden is going gangbusters. We have about 6 different plants and they’re growing like weeds. It seems like even when I trim them down to make pesto or something else yummy, I go out the next day and they are twice as big! Fresh basil is so fragrant and spicy, it’s perfect for adding TONS of flavor to things.
We’ve got an awesome stone fruit stand down the street from us and lately I’ve been going twice a week. When I was pregnant, the woman working there kept asking me when the baby was coming. Is it bad when they start knowing who you are? Then when I finally showed up after a couple weeks of being MIA she was so excited, “I just KNEW that baby had to be here!” I mean, why else would I miss picking up my fruits?! They have the best peaches, plums, apricots and nectarines. And some bomb green pluots that I’m waiting for. Supposedly they should start picking them any day now!
Since I love having batches of ready-made, easy and healthy food in the fridge with baby here, I decided to make up some chicken salad. I’m not great about eating enough protein when I’m busy and have my hands full (I usually reach for some fruit or a bag of crackers), so I thought having some chicken salad on hand and ready to eat would be perfect. It’s great as a quick meal or a protein-packed, filling snack.
I love something a little sweet in my chicken salad– grapes, dried cranberries, green apples– so I thought why not all these delicious peaches sitting on my counter? I also added some crunchy red onion and fresh basil to kick up the flavors. This is not your usual boring chicken salad!
To bring everything together, I used HamptonCreek‘s Just Mayo and Just Mustard. Though I don’t have any food allergies or dietary restrictions myself, I love using Hampton Creek’s products– which are soy-free, egg-free, gluten-free and non-GMO– because they’re made with good for you stuff and I LOVE their approach to food and eating. You can listen to their food manifesto on their website, but basically they believe that it’s possible to make and eat all the yummy foods you love in a healthy, real-food way. Foods like mayo, salad dressings, and even cookies and cookie dough. And that healthier versions made with quality ingredients taste even better. I totally agree.
Since so many people are avoiding so many different foods these days, these products are great for making things to bring to parties and potlucks, too. I’ve used the Just Mayo before and I promise– you’d never be able to tell there are no eggs in it! It tastes just like regular mayo. This was my first time trying the sweet Just Mustard but I loved it. It would be perfect as a dipping sauce for chicken fingers or mixed up into a salad dressing.
If you’re looking for a yummy summertime lunch, definitely make this chicken salad. If you like something a little crunchy, you could also add some almonds or pecans. Any other ideas? Let me know!
- 2 large chicken breasts, cooked and diced
- 1 large fresh peach, diced
- ¼ red onion, finely diced
- 6 leaves fresh basil, roughly chopped
- 3 tbsp mayo, such as Hampton Creek Just Mayo
- 1 tbsp sweet mustard, such as Hampton Creek Just Mustard
- Bread, for serving
- In a large bowl, toss together chicken breast, peaches, onion and basil.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayo and mustard.
- Add mayo mixture to the chicken and toss everything with a spoon until evenly coated.
- Store in the fridge.
- Serve on toasted bread or with crackers for dipping!
Feeling extra peachy? Try these recipes!
Warm Turkey, Brie and Fresh Peach Baguettes
Peaches and Cream Baked Oatmeal
You’re so lucky to have a fruit stand so close by — I cannot get enough peaches right now, either! I love that you added peaches to chicken salad — it looks delicious!
Thanks, Marcie! Fresh local fruit is definitely the best!!
Yummy sandwiches! I am obsessed with peaches lately too! Loving your chicken salad =)
I love adding fruit to my chicken salad too, but haven’t tried peaches. That is a fantastic idea though and I can’t wait to try it! All the fruits and veggies are better in the summer though, it’s not just you – I can’t get enough of all the great produce in the summer, it’s all so good!
That’s so cute that she knew something was up 😉 I really wish I had a fruit stand nearby! This is such a fun twist on chicken salad sandwich, love peaches and basil together so I know I’d love this.
I really like this combination of flavors. I’ve had apples in my chicken salad before, but never peaches. It sounds amazing! Yum!