Chicken salad, from Ancuta

Ancuța's chicken salad

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Number of servings: 6

Some proudly call it a "holiday salad", others consider it an everyday dish, but the fact is that chicken salad is a versatile and delicious choice. This recipe, lovingly shared by Ancuța, brings together simple but flavorful ingredients that combine perfectly to create a mouth-watering dish. What's more, it's a great example of how to turn ordinary ingredients into a festive meal.

Ingredients
- 3 carrots
- 2 parsley roots
- 1 small celery root
- 500 g chicken breast
- 3 medium potatoes
- 3 pickled cucumbers
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 eggs
- 400 ml oil
- 1/2 lemon
- One slice of pickled donut (for garnish)
- 3-4 olives (for garnish)
- 2 teaspoons mustard

Preparation

1. Boiling the ingredients
Start by peeling and washing the carrots, parsley roots, celery and potatoes. Put all these vegetables, along with the chicken breast, in a large pot. Add enough water to cover and season to taste with salt. Cook over medium heat for about 30 minutes. This step will not only cook the ingredients, but also enrich their flavor.

2. Remove the ingredients
Once cooked, remove the potatoes from the pot first. Let them cool slightly, then dice them. Then remove the carrots, parsley roots and celery, and finally the chicken breast. All ingredients should be cut into cubes of about 1 cm to combine well.

3. Making the mayonnaise
To make a creamy mayonnaise, cook 4 eggs. Boil for 10 minutes, then leave to cool. Separate the egg whites and yolks. Mix the yolks from the 2 cooked eggs with the yolks from the 2 raw eggs. Gradually add the oil, starting with a tablespoon at first, and continuing to mix until thick. Add the lemon juice and mix well.

4. Combining the ingredients
In a large bowl, combine all the diced vegetables and the chicken breast. Add the mustard, mayonnaise and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir gently so that you don't crush the ingredients, but just combine well.

5. Assembling the salad
Place the salad mixture on a large platter. Cover with a generous layer of mayonnaise to add extra creaminess and flavor. Finally, garnish the salad with the sliced boiled egg whites, olives and sliced donuts.

Serving suggestions
Ancuța's chicken salad is perfect to serve at a festive meal or simply as a delicious weeknight dish. It can be paired with fresh bread or a dry white wine to complement the flavors.

Practical tips
- You can also add green peas or corn for a touch of freshness.
- For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for mayonnaise for a lower calorie salad.
- Instead of chicken breast, you can use turkey or even smoked fish for an interesting alternative.

Nutrition facts
This chicken salad is high in protein thanks to the chicken breast and eggs. The carrots and root vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals and the olive oil provides healthy fats. Each serving contains around 350-400 calories, depending on the amount of mayonnaise used.

Frequently asked questions
- Can I use previously cooked chicken?
Yes, it's a great option and the salad will be ready faster.
- Should the salad be refrigerated before serving?
It's best to leave it in the fridge for at least an hour, so the flavors will combine better.
- What other garnishes go well with this salad?
You can serve it with croutons, avocado or a fresh green salad.

Give this chicken salad recipe from Ancuța a try and enjoy a delicious dish that combines tradition with innovation! Enjoy!

 Ingredients: 3 carrots, 2 parsley roots, 1 small celery root, 1/2 kg chicken breast, 3 potatoes, 3 pickled cucumbers, salt, pepper, 4 eggs, 400ml oil, 1/2 lemon, a slice of pickled bell pepper, 3-4 olives, 2 teaspoons mustard