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Marc's Chicken Salad with Peach Mayonnaise and Spiced Pecans

By Lucy Leusch · Originally from Atlanta Magazine

Leusch · Salads and Dressings

Ingredients

  • Poached Chicken

    6 pounds skinless, bone-in chicken breast halves
  • 1 carrot, halved
  • 1 celery stalk, halved
  • 1 medium onion, quartered
  • Handful of parsley sprigs
  • 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
  • 2 teaspoons peppercorns
  • 10 to 12 cups water

  • Spiced Pecans

    1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 pound pecan halves

  • Chicken Salad

    1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (preferably Duke's)
  • 1/2 cup fresh peach puree (from 1 or 2 peaches)
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 3/4 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
  • 8 cups shredded poached chicken breasts (recipe follows), smoked chicken, or rotisserie chicken
  • 3/4 cup chopped red onion
  • 1/2 cup diced dried peached or apricots
  • 1/2 cup Spiced Pecans (recipe follows)
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
  • Salt and ground black pepper, to taste

Method

  1. Poach the chicken: In a large saucepan, combine the chicken breasts, carrot, celery, onion, parsley sprigs, seasoned salt, and peppercorns. Cover with water and bring just to a boil. Reduce the heat to very low and cover. Poach the chicken until just cooked through, 20 to 30 minutes.
  2. While the chicken is still warm, pull the meat from the bones and shred it into bite-sized pieces. Discard the bones. If desired, strain the poaching liquid and store, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  3. Spice the pecans: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, curry powder, and cayenne. Put the butter on a rimmed baking sheet and place in the oven to melt. Remove the pan from the oven. Pour the pecans onto the pan, sprinkle them into the mix, and toss to coat.
  4. Spread the pecans in a single layer and bake until the nuts are fragrant, 10 to 12 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week or freeze for longer storage.
  5. Make the chicken salad: In a medium bowl, stir together the mayonnaise and peach puree. Stir in the honey, sugar, Dijon mustard, and garlic. In a large bowl, stir together the chicken, onion, dried peaches, and Spiced Pecans. Stir in the mayonnaise mixture. Fold in the parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and chill before serving.