The shower season has arrived. It's more than actual rain as in "April showers bring May flowers". It's time to shower brides and moms-to-be with gifts for their big event. Even though people get married and have babies throughout the year, spring is a high season. Aside from the gifts, the highlight of any shower or party is the food. I'm sharing chicken salad on endive because I made it for a shower and it was a big hit.
The shower I threw was a big one. I wrote about it last year in my post for cherry cream cheese bites. My house was filled almost everywhere with guests. I never imagined entertaining 60+ people in my home before then. Any gathering these days is a breeze after it. Thank goodness I had great help from friends.
Chicken salad on endive is a great finger food. The endive is a fresh alternative to bread or crackers. It looks pretty too. Because the spears vary in size, they can be a one or two biter. Want to taste? Grab a little one. Hungry? Grab a couple of the bigger ones. Just make plenty because people will be coming back for more. The salad is made with roasted chicken, walnuts, red grapes, celery, shallot, and one of my favorite herbs - tarragon. The flavors and textures make it crunchy, creamy, sweet, savory, and fresh tasting. It's a winning combo for sure.
Are you throwing a shower soon? Or any type of party or afternoon tea? Today is your lucky day because the talented Sunday Supper bloggers are sharing recipes for such special events:
Starters, Appetizers & Snacks
- Pesto Tortilla Pinwheels from Home Cooking Memories
- Honey Pecan Baked Brie from Supper for a Steal
- Pinenut stuffed Dates from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Glazed Pecans from Mama's Blissful Bites
- Bloody Mary Shrimp Cocktail from A Stack of Dishes
- Mini Curry Chicken Salad Phyllo Cups from The Weekend Gourmet
- Mushroom and Feta Bites from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
- Antipasti Bites from Blueberries And Blessings
- Spinach Dip in a Pumpernickel Bowl from The Foodie Patootie
- Parmesan and Mushroom Focaccia from Basic N Delicious
Soups, Salads & Sandwiches
- London Ritz's Tea Sandwiches from My Cute Bride
- Mini Shrimp & Egg Salad Sandwiches from The ROXX Box
- Broccoli Bacon Salad from Country Girl In The Village
- Chicken Salad on Endive from Magnolia Days
- Creamy Asparagus Soup Shooters with Shrimp from Gourmet Drizzles
- Alphabet Soup from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
Main Dishes
- Savory Cheesy Kale Tart with Chiles from Shockingly Delicious
- Penne Ala Vodka from I Run For Wine
- Easy Baked Ziti from Momma's Meals
- French Country Flat Pie from Webicurean
- Crustless Spinach Quiche from Family Foodie
Cakes
- Vanilla Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Strawberry Shortcake Push Pops from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Mini Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting from Damn Delicious
- Coconut Rum Cake from The Foodie Army Wife
- No Bake Lemon Cheesecakes Shots {Two Ways} from Cravings of a Lunatic
- Japanese Wedding Cupcakes from NinjaBaking.com
- Baby Blue Cake Pops from Neighborfood
- Strawberry Buttermilk Scones from Vintage Kitchen
Cookies, Brownies & Dessert Bars
- Lemon Sandwich Cookies with Pink Lemon Curd from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Chocolate Covered Mcaroons from Gotta Get Baked
- Pastel Pizzelles from Growing Up Gabel
- Chocolate-Balsamic Macaroons from Foxes Love Lemons
- Raspberry Lemonade Thumbprint Cookies from In The Kitchen With KP
- Baklava Crisps from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
- Healthy Chocolate Bars with Fruit, Nuts & Coconut from Sue's Nutrition Buzz
- Fudgy Carob Brownies from Pies and Plots
- Pistachio Biscotti from Curious Cuisiniere
Sweet Treats
- Shortbread Maple Cream Freezer Tart from A Beautiful Bite
- Espresso Panna Cotta from Crazy Foodie Stunts
- Bite-Size Pecan Tarts from Juanita's Cocina
- Brigadeiros from Food Lust People Love
- Rosewater Raspberry Meringues from girlichef
Drink Recipes
- Slushy Mango Mojito from The Urban Mrs.
- Pretty in Pink Punch from Noshing With The Nolands
- Pink Lemonade from Peanut Butter and Peppers
What a party it would be to have all this food! And beverages too. Too bad it is a virtual event and I can't walk up to the table and grab a bite of each one. They all look so good.
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Chicken Salad on Endive
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 chicken breasts bone-in and skin-on
- Olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- ½ to ¾ cup chopped walnuts
- ¼ cup finely diced celery
- 1 small shallot minced
- 1 cup seedless red grapes cut in half or quarters
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon leaves*
- ½ to ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 6 heads endive ends trimmed, separated into spears
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast until the chicken is cooked through, about 40 minutes. Set aside to cool completely. You can do this step the day before and refrigerate the chicken overnight.
- Place the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven for about 6 or 7 minutes. Set aside to cool. This step can also be done in advance.
- When the chicken is completely cooled, remove the meat from the bones. discard the skin and bones. Cut the chicken into small pieces and place the chicken in a large bowl. You should have about 3 ½ to 4 cups of chicken.
- Add the walnuts, celery, shallot, grapes, and tarragon to the bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Stir ingredients together with as much mayonnaise as needed to desired level of creaminess. Cover mixture and refrigerate at least 1 hour for the flavors to blend together.
- Arrange the endive spears on a platter. Spoon the chicken salad onto the endive spears. Serve immediately. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 days.
Notes
About the recipe: Years ago I made it using an inspiration from a recipe I found on the internet. I looked through my notes and could not find the original source. I had adapted it back then and only wrote down my ingredients. If I ever run across the original inspiration I will update this post.
You've given any expectant mother or bride-to-be or domestic goddess a wonderful gift with this ever-so-elegant chicken salad on endive. The lovely inclusion of the grapes and nuts remind me a bit of the famous Waldorf salad - which I love....Yet another Magnolia Days in the Recipes to Make file =)
Thank you so much Kim!
Renee, I'm definitely making these for my book club...light and delicious, I know they'll disappear quickly. Plus I love your chicken salad recipe 🙂
What perfect little serving bowls the endive leaves make! These are just beautiful, Renee. I would love this delicious salad at a shower or brunch!
60 + people?! You wouldn't be able to sit with that many in my house! What beautiful memories you must have from your party! I love any kind of bite sized food - but this is absolutely delicious. The endive leaves are a perfect touch. Thank you for sharing!
I love tarragon with chicken salad. These are adorable and I love the use of the endive as bowls. The look like flower petals. So pretty.
Renee, I think these are so perfect. Pretty, delicious, light, and just lovely little bites. I want to make them for my next get together. And yes, I'm especially sold since tarragon is also one of my favorite herbs. Beautiful!
Thanks Heather! If you enjoy tarragon you will love this salad.
It's the grapes that do it for me! YUM!
Oh lovely idea renee and such a pretty presentation and picture. Happy Sunday!
These look gorgeous and oh so good:) Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines
This looks so delicious!!! Love chicken salad.
Renee, these appetizers look delicious! I love chicken salad and endive, yum!!! love this!
Wow - a party with 60+ guests; I can imagine how every party thereafter feels like a breeze 🙂
I love, love, love these little appetizers. They sound amazing, and the presentation is - as always, Renee - out of this world! Will have to bring those bites to the next party!
I love this, Renee! Such a perfect bite of perfection... not to mention that we share the love of one of your favorite herbs- tarragon! Such a beautiful picture, and love that tarragon tea towel 😉
Thanks Diana. The tea towel has more herbs on it too. I thought it was great subtle way to show one of the ingredients.
Holy Cow lady Jane! 60+ people, I'm coming to you for advice if I ever throw a party that big!! This is a great picky food, I love how finger friendly they look! Chicken Salad is one of my favs to boot!
I could go for one of those right now--I just can't get enough endive!
I love using endive boats for serving wonderful fillings and yours looks so very good!!
I used to make stuffed endive leaves, but I haven´t hosted a real party in so long I had forgotten about them. With chicken salad they are an extraordinary thing! The fresh tarragon and grapes are such a wonderful addition Renee.
Thanks Paula. Now you have me interested in how you made stuffed endive leaves. I hope you have a recipe on your blog.
You are amazing to do a shower for 60 people. I have to say today is my first time visiting here. Your recipes are really great. My gal pals and I meet monthly each or us taking turns hosting or sometimes we'll just do potlucks by the pool your recipes will be a wonderful resource.
Thanks Jen and I'm glad you found my blog. Please come back and visit often.
I love the way Southerner's make chicken salad so much! The addition of the grapes and nuts just make this.
It's true, you can find many chicken salads here in the South.
This looks delicous 🙂 I love chicken salad and actually intended on making one like this for lunches this week. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Dude these are adorbs. My goodness they are so cute. I could eat a million of them. I shouldn't admit that right....
Thanks Kim! Go ahead and eat all you want.
I also really like tarragon in chicken salad. These look great and a fairly healthy party snack food. I'd definitely eat quite a few. 🙂
Thanks Anita! You can make it healthier if you substitute low-fat mayo or part with Greek yogurt. I'm a die hard mayo gal though.
I love grapes in my chicken salad! What a great idea to put them on endive leaves, great presentation.
Wow, a shower for 60 people? That's huge. Congrats on pulling it off, and great recipe!
This is such a lovely appetizer. The crisp endive is a perfect pair to the chicken salad. Wow, 60 people! Yowza.
I just recently had an endive appetizer at a shower! I love the chicken salad on it, though. Great for those shower goers who eat Paleo, too!
So true! I never thought about it being good for Paleo.
Nice combo, Renee!
Lettuce cups are so awesome! I love anything with an edible cup and your chicken salad sounds so yummy!
Now that is an elegant recipe. Totally appropriate for a shower. Love it!
Love that you put the chix salad on endive. I will def need to try this with my next batch! I love chix salad in the warm weather for easy dinners.
I can't believe you threw a shower for 60 people. That would be so much work. Love chicken salad with grapes in it! YUM!
What a cute serving idea
If anyone can successfully host, entertain and feed sixty people, it's you, dear Renee! I have no doubt that it was a smashing good time. I love your version of chicken salad - there are so many delicious flavours and textures in there! You get the fresh crunch from the celery and endive, the crispness of walnuts, and the sweet smooth flavour from the grapes. No wonder this is a big hit! I love that you used endive instead of the usual cracker. Not only is it healthier but it makes for beautiful presentation.
I am really glad I stumbled upon this page! I do love all the recipes in here. This chicken salad has become a regular at home. My wife and kids just love it! Thank you for sharing all these. I certainly learned a lot of incredible dishes!
Thank you so much and I hope you come back and visit often.