Fresh, tasty and juicy cantaloupe is another summer fruit that is just beginning to show up in the grocery. All I have to do is pick one up and smell it – that’s my best test! Not like the hard flesh of winter/spring without any flavor.
Chicken salad served in half of a fresh cantaloupe is the ultimate summer salad. The melons must be ripe (not too ripe or soft) and just a few ingredients to make chicken salad for 2 people. What could be better for a perfect lunch on a hot summer day!
There are many choices as to the ingredients to put in this salad. This is a very simple version and pairs perfectly with the melon. Serve with a fork and serrated spoon to scoop out the delicious melon when the chicken salad is gone.
Chicken Salad in a Cantaloupe Bowl
This recipe is just right for two people.
- 1 cup chicken (I used two (5 oz.) cans of organic roasted chicken breast – no salt) of course you can use rotisserie chicken, or poached chicken breasts – shredded
- 1/4 cup celery, minced
- 2 tbsp. onion, minced
- 2 tbsp. sweet relish
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise (I used light Hellmann’s)
- salt and pepper to taste
- herbs (optional such as fresh parsley, tarragon, basil or dill)
- garnish with a fresh herb
- small to medium sized cantaloupe (or melon) decoratively cut in half
Combine all of the ingredients except for the melon. Cut the melon like I have done; start in the center of the melon and make “V” cuts all around; carefully pull apart. If it doesn’t come apart make deeper cuts. Scrape out the seeds and membrane and fill each half with the chicken salad.
Recipe by cookingwithauntjuju.com
Such an appealing presentation. Love any combination of chicken salad and fruit. Unfortunately, I still haven’t found any reasonable cantaloupe yet. Hopefully we’ll get them soon. 🙂
Thanks Ronit – I could tell by the smell and how it looked it was going to be good. I don’t use the “press on the stem end” of the melon to see if it’s ripe. I’m looking forward to Michigan melons later in the season 🙂
You’re right, the smell is the best indicator.
i’m afraid i gulped when i read you used cans of chicken breast. is there such a thing? and does it taste okay? sorry, not wanting to be rude but i am kind of shocked that such a thing exists … When i moved from melbourne to brisbane many years ago i had to get used to calling canteloupe – rockmelon! that’s what the queenslanders call it. i like the sound of your salad though.
cheers
sherry
The chicken is organic and roasted – nothing but the best and healthiest. When I need only a small amount of chicken these “pricey” cans come in handy. Of course you can use any chicken of your choice. I think it’s fun to learn about different ingredients 🙂