Drug Store Counter Chicken Salad

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of recipes for chicken salad. Sometimes I long for the simple taste of the drug store chicken salad sandwich; creamy mayo, savory chicken, and the crunchy sweetness of sweet pickles and apples. Remember when drug stores would have a small deli counter in the back? OK, maybe you don't, but trust me, the drug store in my hometown served the best chicken salad. Lately, it seems as if society deems that unless chicken salad has giant hunks of stuff in it then it cannot possibly be of high quality or tasty. I mean, come on, sometimes I order chicken salad and it comes out with more fruits and nuts than chicken. Bring back the drug store chicken salad sandwich!

This easy recipe can be doubled to suit your crowd. Remember, one of the most important ingredients in chicken salad is the mayonnaise. I recommend Hellman's Original. It has a smooth, rich quality that some of the other brands fail to offer.

Serves 2

½ c. mayonnaise
3 tbsp sweet pickle relish
¼ tsp celery seed, crushed
½ tsp onion powder (1 tbsp chopped onion)
¼ lb chicken, cooked, shredded
¼ c. apple, unpeeled, finely chopped
salt and pepper, to taste

1. In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, relish, celery seed, and onion powder until well combined.
2. Add the chicken and apples to the mayonnaise mixture and stir lightly until well coated.
3. Season to taste.
4. Chill at least 30 min to allow the flavors to mingle.
5. Serve on toasted bread as a sandwich or with crackers as a spread.