SMOKED CHICKEN SALAD WITH DRIED CHERRIES AND ONIONS
Makes 12 sandwiches; 9 cups (72 ounces) chicken salad.
Chicken Salad: 4-1/2 cups diced smoked chicken 1-1/2 cups diced celery, diced 1/4 inch 2-1/4 cups diced sweet onions, diced 1/4 inch 2-1/4 cups chopped dried tart cherries 1-1/2 cups toasted pecan pieces 1/2 cup minced fresh basil 2 cups mayonnaise 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice 1 teaspoon fresh orange peel 3/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, ground
Dice or chop chicken, celery, onion and cherries to about 1/4 inch.
Combine chicken, celery, onion, cherries, pecans, basil, mayonnaise, orange juice, orange peel, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl; stir gently until combined.
Refrigerate until ready to use.
To prepare sandwiches: Chicken Salad 24 slices rustic bread 3/4 cup mayonnaise 48 leaves bibb lettuce
Place bread on work surface, spread 12 slices of bread with 1 tablespoon mayonnaise each.
Spread other 12 slices with 3/4 cup(about 6 ounces) chicken salad per slice.
Top chicken salad with bibb lettuce, close sandwiches; slice in half diagonally and serve.
Recipe courtesy of the Cherry Marketing Institute - www.cherrymkt.org/ salad recipes
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