Chicken Salad Is 10x More Flavorful When You Add A Scoop Of This Seasoning

A classic chicken salad is already packed with flavor, but what if you could give it a little boost? Lemon pepper seasoning might just be the answer to that. Depending on the brand, the seasoning can be an amalgamation of different things, but the basic anatomy of a lemon pepper seasoning is black pepper, lemon zest, and salt. If you're making it at home, fresh zest is a must for a punchier finish. 

There's no strict timing as to when to add lemon pepper seasoning to the dish. Sprinkling it into the creamy mayo dressing is a good idea, as it lets you adjust the amount of seasoning before thoroughly mixing it with the other ingredients, so you have full rein on the outcome of the salad's flavor. Test the waters by tossing in a tablespoon of the seasoning first and build it up from there if you think it needs more oomph. You can also work it into the dish when you season the chicken as the initial step, ensuring the chicken stays as the pièce de résistance. You can also add the lemon pepper seasoning as a final step, serving as a topping for your sandwiches if you want the zing to be the first thing you'll taste.

But at the end of the day, the lemon pepper seasoning seamlessly blends into the dish, with its tangy notes, warm undertones, and lively zest that give you a nice, refreshing break from the heavy cream of the chicken salad. Plus, it's a great way to add a new element to the dish without adding a complicated step, but the flavor upgrade would definitely not go unnoticed.

So your chicken salad has a whole new look. You can stop where you left off, or you can continue evolving your dish from here. The lemon pepper seasoning opens up an avenue where you can branch out to herby flavors by incorporating dill or basil, giving the dish a livelier lift that pairs well with the vigorous lemon zest and the comforting zing of pepper — all without overpowering the overall flavor makeup of the salad. Adding canned corn for a more interesting mix of textures is also a tasty option, or you can give your chicken salad a gourmet lift by adding canned artichoke hearts. Dijon mustard can also make an appearance if you want to zero in on the vibrancy of the dish.

Like the traditional chicken salad, you can eat your new and improved dish on its own or serve it as a sandwich between two sourdough toasts. The citrusy notes of the salad can be quite delicious when paired with the rustic character of the bread. Similarly, you can use it to stuff your croissant and make a heartier and creamier meal out of it, with a generous serving of potato chips on the side. Enjoying it with plain salted crackers also works if you want a lighter snack and still want to enjoy the flavors of the salad in their full glory.