Epic roast chicken salad | Chicken recipes | Jamie Oliver recipes (2024)

FAQs

Why is my chicken salad so bland? ›

Cooked chicken breast (or leftover rotisserie chicken), creamy mayo, celery, and salt make up a basic chicken salad, but what it's really missing is an acid, something that can break through the blandness so the chicken salad can stand up to whatever bread or roll you serve it on.

It's lovely served with steamed green broccoli and peas – delicious. You can make a quick one by skimming off the fat in the roasting tray, then placing the tray on the hob.

So “roast chicken” is the usual form and emphasizes what sort of chicken it is (edible, tasty, golden brown). “Roasted chicken” is still possible but has a very strong verbal sense (chicken that has been roasted). I wouldn't recommend it unless there's a reason for contrasting it with “unroasted chicken”.

Make a Rub

Just because the chicken is already cooked doesn't mean it can't benefit from a rub. Before reheating, make a custom blend of your favorite spices like paprika, cayenne, onion or garlic powder. Mix in dried herbs or a bit of sugar for beautiful caramelization, then sprinkle it evenly over the skin.

Brining your chicken is a foolproof way to not only add flavour to your roast but also to ensure you don't overcook the meat. Essentially a mix of salt, sugar and water, we love adding herbs, garlic or whole spices such as fennel and cumin to flavour the brine.

Undercooked chicken

Although mayonnaise can certainly cause food poisoning, it's not the only chicken salad ingredient that can lead to a bad result. Raw or undercooked chicken is also a common culprit of foodborne illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The benefits of the hot steaming lemon going into the chicken are very obvious as the meat tastes amazing, and the chicken cooks slightly quicker because of it. Rub the chicken inside and out with a generous amount of salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Gordon's cooking method for the chicken—trussing it, elevating with a grate, and placing it in the center of the oven—helps ensure even heat circulation for even cooking.

A rotisserie chicken will have similar nutrients to one you roast,” says Allers. “Similar protein, iron. The main difference is the amount and type of any additives.” Some stores “inject the chickens with a solution, which might contain added salt, sugar, various natural flavorings,” Allers explains.

Roasted chicken is a better option because it has lower saturated fats and cholesterol. It's also packed with protein, vitamin B12 and iron. If you're looking to increase protein in your diet, roasted chicken is an excellent source.

What is the tastiest part of roasted chicken? ›

If chicken thighs are cooked well, they are one of the juiciest, most luscious types of meat you can enjoy.

Add chili powder, salt, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, paprika, and pepper, and stir everything together. Cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds, to toast the spices.

The reason Costco's chicken is so juicy is because of a salt solution pumped inside, which is basically like super-brining. That makes the meat moist and evenly seasoned every time, delivering a consistent—though there has been some Reddit uproar about weird-tasting chicken lately in some states—tasting chicken.

Tip 3: seasoning, seasoning, seasoning! Use anything your heart desires. Herbs, fruits, peppers, change your olive oil or try sesame, hazelnut or other traditional nut oils. Also try our variety of basils: Large Green, lemon-basil, spicy Thai, etc.

Season the greens & vegetables

Your dressing or vinaigrette may be perfectly seasoned but when added to unseasoned or raw vegetables, the overall taste of the salad may turn out bland.

You can also add a sprig of thyme or rosemary to your chicken, as well as hiding a few cloves of garlic in different parts of it. With this method, you can be sure you'll get impressive aromas and flavour!

You see, without a generous sprinkling of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, your chicken is basically destined for blandness. After you've pulled your chicken out of its marinade (or even if you're not using a marinade), always sprinkle all sides of the breast with salt and pepper.