Creamy Avocado Chicken Salad
134 comments »
I’m currently reading exactly five books. Some new, some reruns. I have a fervent policy to not reread a book lest it be a life-changing, worthwhile reread. I’m weird like that.
Is it just me, or is there less and less time to snuggle into a book? I plopped into bed nigh unto midnight last week and realized I hadn’t actually held a paper book in my hand for over a month. A MONTH! What sort of person allows a thirty-day stretch come between her an the musty smell of well-loved paperbacks? Apparently, I do. Boo.
So, with 20 days left before cookbook deadline (read: NOT the time to be making mid-year resolutions), I feel to make some mid-year resolutions. For one thing, I resolve to pick up a papery book and read from it everyday. Even if it’s just a paragraph. Even if it’s just a word. Even if I just pretend to skim the pages whilst I text Savor.
That’s where you come in. Once I get through these first five books, I need five more that are crazy-fab. Got a recommendation for a don’t-miss read? I’d love to hear.
- 1. How to Win Friends & Influence People, by Dale Carnegie (an absolute classic. The truest book I think I’ve ever read)
- 2. 1984, by George Orwell (New one for me. F.R.E.A.K.Y.)
- 3. The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin (I love people who think clever thoughts, then do something about them.)
- 4. The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom (Never anything less than inspiring)
- 5. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, by David Wroblewski (One of the most breathtaking chapters I’ve ever read is in this book. It was about a dog. Really. This author is phenomenal.)
- 6. ?
- 7. ?
- 8. ?
- 9. ?
- 10. ?
In exchange for your book brilliance, hows abouts I offer you this blessed little recipe, which is the perfect accompaniment to an afternoon of Spring reading. The only thing that would make such a trade more fair would be if we could all kick it together at a spontaneous afternoon Avocado & Book Party. There’s just never enough of those.
Creamy Avocado Chicken Salad
The flavors of this chicken salad are reminiscent of summer grilling. If you've got a bit of leftover chicken from the night before, this is a great way to use it up for lunch. Otherwise, feel free to boil a breast of chicken or zap one in the microwave for a super-speedy meal. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
1 cup chicken breast, cooked and shredded
¼ cup corn
¼ cup black beans, rinsed and drained
¼ cup green onions, chopped
¼ cup tomatoes, diced
¼ cup cilantro, chopped
¼ cup corn chips, crushed
2 tablespoons white vinegar
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
Salt to taste
2-4 avocados, sliced in half with pits discardedDirections:
In a medium bowl, toss the chicken breast, corn, black beans, green onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and corn chips together. Add the vinegar and mayonnaise to mixture and toss to coat. Salt to taste. Spoon salad into halved avocados. Serve immediately with a spoon and fork. Enjoy!
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Lanell on April 7, 2011 at 11:49 pm
The salad looks delicious. I have a great book recommend. I just put a post about it yesterday on my blog. “Unbroken” by Lauren Hillenbrand, the author of Sea Biscuit. It is a survival story of a WWII veteran who survived unbelievable torture. True Story. I love these type of stories. I posted a short description in my blog. One of my favorite books is Pope Joan, (author ?) great book.
Liz on April 8, 2011 at 12:08 am
I’m not usually a huge fan of chicken salads, but this looks delicious. Maybe it’s the avocado that is swaying me :)
Can you believe that I just started reading for pleasure this year? I mean, I’ve been up to my eyeballs in textbooks, but I finally decided to make it fun again – something I hadn’t done since middle school. Since last summer I’ve read 25 books. I had a lot to catch up on! If you haven’t read the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, I found that pretty addicting. Same goes for The Hunger Games trilogy. And I also just read The Help which was pretty good. The Thirteenth Tale was a great read, and if you like nonfiction, I highly recommend The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.
schinders on April 8, 2011 at 12:23 am
tale of desperaux – kate decamillo
fire and hemlock – diana wynne jones
the eyre affair – jasper fforde
ella minnow pea – mark dunn
a confederacy of dunces – john kennedy toole
having the salad for lunch tomorrow, thanks!
Jennifer (Savor) on April 8, 2011 at 4:32 am
Whooo-hooty! More soul siterhood: I adore #1 and dang it, I will pick it up and start reading it again. In fact, I would type more but I need to go read. L8tr.
Keelie on April 8, 2011 at 4:55 am
My fiance and I are huge book collectors/ book nerds!
A lot of the books I’ve enjoyed the most are ones I was SUPPOSED to read in high school but only pretended to read. I took a young adult literature class while finishing up my undergrad and fell in love with a few- namely The Giver by Lois Lowry. MUST. READ. And the Harry Potter series is THE ONLY grouping of books I’ve EVER considered reading twice.
As for “grown up books”- I’m a huge fan of Flannery O’Connor’s short stories, Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift, and A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink (about arts and creativity in education).
I’ve been thinking about doing a giveaway of some of our books that we’ve already read… I’ll let you know if I do!
Lori @ RecipeGirl on April 8, 2011 at 7:38 am
Gorgeous salad idea. Love avocado, so stuff it with other stuff and I’m good!
I love my kindle- take it w/ me everywhere so I get lots of reading done in moments where I have to sit around and wait. Here are a few books I’ve enjoyed this year so far:
Still Missing (couldn’t put this one down- kidnapping)
The Good Daughter (takes place in Iran- very interesting story)
Escape (woman’s experience escaping polygamist sect)
Loved all of these.
Katie on April 8, 2011 at 8:10 am
Oooh that salad looks super tasty! I now have a strong need to consume avocados.
I second reading The Giver – I still remember it from grade school and must read it again.
A few other books that I find very absorbing:
The Bone People – Keri Hulme (fiction; bizarre and somewhat gut wrenching)
The Book of Flying – Keith Miller (fiction; beautiful and magical)
1491 – Charles C. Mann (non-fiction; story-like history)
At least the first three books of the Dune series. Even if you aren’t into sci-fi, the Dune books are very well written and addictive reads.
Ashley on April 8, 2011 at 8:50 am
I read the Kite Runner recently which was great. Mary Roach has some interesting books, one being Stiff, which is about what happens to bodies after they die, which sounds mornid, but it’s actually a hilarious book. Don’t judge, it really works. :)
Caroline on April 8, 2011 at 9:26 am
Yum!!!! Can’t wait to try that this weekend!!
I just finished reading Between Friends and the first two Steig Larsson books. Now I’m reading Never Let Me Go. Hopefully be done this weekend and moving onto Sparrow.
ashleynashville3 on April 8, 2011 at 10:33 am
i want to eat this right now :-)
I recommend “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett and “One Day” by David Nicholls. I read a lot and those were, by far, the best novels I read in 2010.
Kendra on April 8, 2011 at 11:04 am
I rarely read books because I normally don’t get anything else done until the book is done. But, the last book I read (other than a cookbook) was a book that made me appreciate my mind and second guess everything I forget to do.
It’s called Still Alice by Lisa Genova. It’s about a career lady with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. This book is written from the point of view of Alice, who is the one with this disease. It’ll make you laugh and cry and pray that you or a loved one will never end up with this horrible disease.
Bridget on April 8, 2011 at 11:22 am
Ken Follet’s Pillars of the Earth- Wonderful historical fiction
Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist- Beautiful fairy tale about following your dreams and finding your destiny.
Traveling with Pomegranates by Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kid Taylor- A mother daughter traveling story that explores the transitions in a women’s life.
Maggie on April 8, 2011 at 12:20 pm
I have just started to read your blog, I’ve only read for the past few days, and I love it! I am sorry that you have been going through a lot personally, and even though I don’t know you, my mother went through a similar scare and it causes you to put everything into perspective. I’m glad that all is well!
I love to read. L-o-v-e it. I am not a reader who reads War and Peace for fun, but I do stay up until 2 am to finish a good book and usually cry while reading. I get very into the books that I read.
One of my most favorite reads is The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, it came out as a movie recently and it has gotten a lot of attention. The book is fantastic!
Another favorite is The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs. A feel good, sit down with a cup of tea and kleenex book.
Again these aren’t radical books that you will be talking over at a cocktail party, but you will pass them to your girl friends for sure!
Happy reading!
Laura.R on April 8, 2011 at 12:59 pm
I second the recommendations for “The Giver” by Lois Lowry…and “The Achemist” by Paulo Coelho….both favorites of mine that I could read over and over….and ALWAYS change my life, every time. I guess I just need frequent reminders :)
AND this salad looks UH-mazing. Can’t wait to try it!
JessMoon on April 8, 2011 at 1:00 pm
Brooke! You have to read Elizabeth von Arnim’s The Enchanted April–in April! I just know you’ll love it. I can second the Unbroken (Laura Hillenbrand) recommendation. The redemptive message in Cry, the Beloved Country (Alan Paton) changed me forever.
Thanks for all your work on this blog. You are remarkable!
Rikki-Leigh on April 8, 2011 at 1:05 pm
I love biographies. Particularly anything by David McCullough. Also my all time fav is The Count of Monte Cristo. Brilliant!!! Oh, and Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster if you’re looking for a shorter read. The sequel, Dear Enemy is equally wonderful.
Lucy on April 8, 2011 at 2:20 pm
I like to eat avocados plain, so I love any recipe that includes them. This is a must try.
Book suggestion: The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion.
Nik on April 8, 2011 at 2:57 pm
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00112C6PI/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0449214206&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1JP92XJP8WYDN4DAX7EG
It is the first in a series of 5 books. I am an avid reader, and I have to say that reading a book about the Amish seemed like a bore to me, but I was visiting family and forgot my reading book at home, so my grandmother let me borrow hers. I got into the first chapter and was hooked. Not to mention the end of the book leaving you asking WHAT IS NEXT?!?!?! It is beautifully written, will make you laugh, cry and sympathize with the characters. I have yet to read a book (rather a series of books) quite like these. I hope you put it on your list of what to read, even if it isnt this year, hopefully in the future. Enjoy. :)
Nik on April 8, 2011 at 3:05 pm
PS. I will also agree with Keelie…. Lois Lowry is an excellent writer. The Giver, Gathering Blue and The Messenger are all excellent books that are intertwined with one another. Despite being read in junior high or high school all of these books have stuck with me over the years. As with anything by Madeleine L’Engle. Another talented author. I hope you can narrow down the suggestions. I have added a few replies to this post into my ongoing reading list as well!!! Thanks for that!
lori k. on April 8, 2011 at 7:57 pm
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
stacey h. on April 8, 2011 at 8:20 pm
My most favorite recent read is probably Life is So Good by George Dawson and Richard Glaubman. I wrote a little bit about it here on my blog last week: http://teamhoopes.blogspot.com/2011/03/life-is-so-good-and-books-as-lenses.html
Love your site!! This chicken salad looks great.
Jamie (Mama.Mommy.Mom) on April 8, 2011 at 8:55 pm
That looks amazing! I did a chicken salad post earlier this week. I love it, made almost anyway, and i could eat avocado every day! This will be a must try for me!
debbie macdonnell on April 8, 2011 at 10:25 pm
first….I must tell you that I’ve been reading your blog for a while now…since you were “conversation with a cupcake”…and I love, love, love your style of writing. I’m way older than you, but I want to be you when I grow up!!!
second…thank you for sharing your innermost self with us the other day. I’ve dealt with cancer…not my own…but my little 11 month old grandson was diagnosed (he’s 4 now and has beaten it) with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. it was one of the most horrifying things my children and I have been through. we depended on the Lord, and our faith grew stronger…to the point that we actually “knew” we could go on if it were the Father’s will to take him. but…happily…it was not. :)
third…I have a few books you might like, if you haven’t already read them. 1.) The Shack. it’s fiction, but one of the best life-changing books I’ve ever read. I’m a Mormon, and this book was not written by one, but he has such a marvelous and wonderful “take” on spiritual things….I just KNOW you’ll love it!
2.) The Book Thief. it’s about WWII Nazi Germany – narrated by the Grim Reaper. it’s moving, and very well written.
3.) The Peacegiver. written by a member of the Church…this was one of the MOST life changing books I ever picked up. I’ve read it three times…probably will read it again before long.
well….I could give you a long, long list. but I’ll give someone else a chance! I have always said reading is my drug of choice. I can’t go one day without at least reading a paragraph. life is busy, I’m a single mom of five, and now nana to 7 grandkids under the age of 6! sooooo fun!
so enjoy! and keep being the marvelous, fun woman you are!
deb
Katrina on April 9, 2011 at 1:24 am
Oh my, this looks lovely! Great recipe :)
Monique @ Make Me Drool on April 9, 2011 at 10:11 am
Beautiful picture. I love this idea – I’m just imagining myself digging into that avocado with a spoon. Yum!
KCintheKitchen on April 9, 2011 at 10:53 am
This sounds delicious! Just found your blog and am now following. thanks for a great post!
Brooke replied: — April 11th, 2011 @ 1:21 am
Welcome! So glad to have you as a follower!
Dolly on April 9, 2011 at 1:03 pm
David Sedaris. He is a funny guy, and his essays are so fun to read. Most of his essays are short as well, so if you have a short attention span, they’re convenient. Any of his books are worth a read.
Brooke replied: — April 11th, 2011 @ 1:21 am
I love Sedaris on his This American Life shorts but haven’t ever picked up one of his books. That’s gonna change! Thanks for the rec!
heather on April 9, 2011 at 1:19 pm
I read this past Christmas, “Homer’s Odyssey.” Its about a blind cat and his survival skills and what the owner has learned from owning Homer. Touching book. Enjoy whatever books you choose! The salad looks yummy!
Sue on April 9, 2011 at 5:33 pm
Water for Elephants… read it before you see the movie that comes out on April 22nd! I LOVED the book, and I’ve got my fingers crossed for the movie.
I also loved the Dragon Tattoo trilogy… but I hated The Hunger Games. I’m one of only two people in the world, so that makes me special. LOL.
LOVE your blog :)
pati on April 9, 2011 at 6:37 pm
Another favorite is The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs – I agree! I believe there were 3 books in that series, sooo good. A recent favorite was Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman. I recently got a kindle and am loving it! Have you tried kindle yet? Love the recipe, yum!
Missy on April 9, 2011 at 7:05 pm
This salad looks super yummy and great for a bridal or baby shower. As for books, Shauna Niequist’s Cold Tangerines was like a breath of fresh air when I was going through a particularly challenging time of life.
Erin H on April 9, 2011 at 8:30 pm
This looks so yummy… and fits in with my new obsesion with avocados!
I just finished reading The Help and thought it was fantastic.. I couldn’t put it down. Water for Elephants is another fabulous one… hope these two are not ruined by the movies coming out soon!
Brooke replied: — April 11th, 2011 @ 1:19 am
Oh, I do so hope avocados become an “old” obsession. They are splendid!
GREAT book recommendations! I’ve not yet read either book!
Sarah Caron on April 10, 2011 at 8:29 am
That salad looks amazing. I am absolutely obsessed with salads served in edible bowls (avocados, peppers, etc) right now.
Regarding books, I am an avid reader and feel so much lighter whenever I read even a little bit every day. Some of my recent favorites:
The Help by Kathryn Stockett (an excellent read -glimpse into the past)
Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch (really gets you thinking about choices)
The Lakeshore Chronicles series by Susan Wiggs (sweet stories with a love-based undercurrent)
Good luck finishing your manuscript!
Brooke replied: — April 11th, 2011 @ 1:18 am
I know, huh? Edible bowls have to be the greatest thing since the invention of…well…the non-edible bowl. Love it!
Donna on April 10, 2011 at 3:08 pm
I loved The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. It’s about a family’s search for Dracula. Page-turning suspense.
A Corspe in the Koryo by James Church is a great book about a detective in North Korea. Love seeing the differences in our societies.
The Gifts of the Jews by Thomas Cahill teaches a lot about how Christianity came out of Judaism. Very interesting.
1491 is a fascinating book about how what we’ve thought about the Americas before Columbus has been all wrong.
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman is an original book that is incredible.
And of course anything by Michael Crichton and Anne Rice is great.
The salad looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it!
Erin on April 10, 2011 at 4:43 pm
This looks so yummy! I just re-read all eight books in the Anne of Green Gables series and I think I might start them again! Also I just discovered Zane Grey books for free on the kindle. I quite enjoyed them.
Brooke replied: — April 11th, 2011 @ 1:16 am
Oh, honey. You just spoke my language. I grew up believing Anne of Green Gables was scripture. Let’s be honest, it totally should be. Puts the “Songs of Solomon” to shame. ;)
Betsy on April 10, 2011 at 7:39 pm
Oh, hello entree for my upcoming ladies’ tea! (Girlfriends, food, tea, laughter, casual atmosphere…they are a wonderful time!) I’m crossing my fingers for a warm enough weekend to hold the party outside.
As for books to read – for a light, “beachy” read, I recommend the Blossom Street series by Debbie Macomber
Brooke replied: — April 11th, 2011 @ 1:15 am
Brilliant! I’m totally digging the idea of a Ladies’ Tea!
Colleen on April 10, 2011 at 7:55 pm
Oooooh, where to begin?! My hubby has been traveling a lot for work, so I have time like I’ve never had to get back into reading. Loved The Help, just finished South of Broad by Pat Conroy (went into my top 20 favorite of ALL TIME), anything by Jodi Piccoult is going to be a winner, Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah was fantastic, too! Happy Reading!!!!
Brooke replied: — April 11th, 2011 @ 1:18 am
ohmygosh! I have Firefly Lane sitting in my secret cubby right now! A friend gave it to me several months ago and I totally forgot about it. And, no. I don’t have a secret cubby. It’s just an unkempt corner of my nightstand, which sounds so much less romantic, than secret cubby, no?
kelly on April 10, 2011 at 8:34 pm
love to read!! so a few are The Help, it is a must read!
glass castle, a must read! still alice, i loved this book, a little sad but great book. water for elephants was great, a little racy but they are circus folk! nicholas sparks book safe harbor was good, those are easy reads! enjoy i am going to peruse the comments for reccommendations for me!
and love the chicken salad!
Kayla on April 12, 2011 at 11:13 am
Love the Hunger Games trilogy! Jane Eyre is always great. I just read North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell and LOVED it! Way better than Jane Austen, in my opinion. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt was good. Tuesdays With Morrie always touches me. I like Shannon Hale’s series the Books of Bayern. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. Gone With the Wind. The Phantom of the Opera. The Count of Monte Cristo, although the unabridged version is a little much. These is My Words. I don’t know if you’ve jumped on the Twilight bandwagon, but I finally did and was thoroughly unimpressed.
Are you familiar with Goodreads.com? You list the books you’ve read and want to read and share them with friends. I’ve gotten a lot of good book ideas from there.
Angela on April 12, 2011 at 11:49 am
Beautiful recipe. I just finished reading Arcadia Falls. A quick but interesting read.
Leslie on April 13, 2011 at 10:18 am
Ditto on “Water for Elephants”.. loved it.. and Another good one is “Sarah’s Key”
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Sharla on April 16, 2011 at 9:41 am
The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale. It’s laugh-out-loud funny and also touchy-feely, cry into your Kleenex.
Nina on April 25, 2011 at 7:18 pm
Born Rouind by Frank Bruni – a memoir by someone who actually likes his family. It was funny, raw and honest. I ached for this man and cheered for him.
Donna recommended Nevermore and I liked it a lot as well. I’ve never met anyone else who read it.
Brooke replied: — April 25th, 2011 @ 9:08 pm
Brilliant! I’ll check them out!
Keely Glade on May 4, 2011 at 7:38 pm
I just made this recipe yesterday and it was absolutely delectable. Of course anything with avocado is delectable…If you like 1984 by George Orwell you might like Anthem by Ayn Rand and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.
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Liz on May 19, 2011 at 11:15 am
I have such a huge collection of books that it’s almost impossible to suggestion only a few. The ones that stand out the most are anything by Anita Shreve. All are heart wrenching and beautiful, my favorite being Fortune’s Rock. It’s one of few that I have read more than once.
Kelly G in ATX on June 6, 2011 at 6:24 pm
How have I not discovered you before?! You had me from “I have a fervent policy…” I’m not a fan of chicken salad (I’m horribly allergic to mustard and a lot of commercial mayos actually have mustard flour in them, boo. But I’m getting there and finding ones that don’t!) but this looks SCRUMPTIOUS. Totally going to try this now!
christa on June 6, 2011 at 8:21 pm
i can not wait to try this- saw it on be diffent act normal blog.
my book suggestions, Matched by Ally Condie it’s the first book released in what will probably be a trilogy, loved it, it’s better than Hunger Games in my opinion. And Also anything by Lynn Austin, I loved A Woman’s Place and I also read her book A Proper Pursuit, I liked them both a ton.
Allison on June 7, 2011 at 12:00 pm
can’t wait to try this recipe for my next salad cravings. You have a great looking site too!