Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

There are a million substitutes for bread out there. Just about any fruit or vegetable at this point has now been forced into replacing bread. Well bread isn't bad and I still love it! But some popular diets can make it feel like bread is the enemy. #lifeafterwhole30

To me, this recipe isn't about replacing bread but more about using a cucumber creatively and transforming chicken salad or a chicken salad sandwich into a tasty, crunchy meal.

Prepare the cucumbers

I use local Zambian cucumbers with lots of seeds.

Just peel, slice in half lengthwise and scoop all seeds out.

Chicken salad recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked shredded chicken (already seasoned)

2-3 tablespoons of cream cheese (omit for #whole30)

1 tsp mayonnaise (optional)

Squeeze of lemon

1/2 tsp garlic

8 grapes quartered

2 tablespoons chopped walnuts

Salt, pepper

Chili flakes & fresh mint (toppings)

Method:

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Salt and spice to taste.

Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats

Once your cucumber boats are prepared and the chicken salad is ready, just scoop the chicken salad into to the boats. Top with any reserved grapes, walnuts, herbs and red chili flakes and then eat up!

Notes

1. I juice the scooped out cucumber insides with a strainer and reserve the liquid for cucumber cocktails and then compost or throw away the seeds.

2. If you're using an English or other cucumber with less seeds, do the same, but you won’t be left with as much of a dip for the main event.

3. Make the chicken salad ahead of time and then scoop into the boats just before serving. This could also be a great appetizer on slices of cucumber.