This post is from KM Logan, author of The ABC’S of Freezer Cooking, A Quick, Basic, Introduction To Make Ahead Meals!
When I was pregnant with my first I read all of the parenting books, as if I was studying for a test. All the experts seemed to agree that the way to avoid turning your child into a picky eater was to limit sweets, and provide plenty of healthy options for your child. In theory you should make a healthy meal and your child would eat it if they were hungry, because kids eat when they’re hungry, right?
What sounded great in theory eventually lead my little one year old pixie to eat very little and concerned my pediatrician enough to prescribe an $80 MCT oil to help her put on weight. Being a first time mom I willingly shelled out the $80 when come to find out I probably just could have fed her spoonfuls of butter to the same effect.
Despite my earlier set back though , my kids have all developed a love of healthy food, BUT they’re still little kids and sometimes little kids are just plain picky. I could make separate meals for my kids, but ‘Ain’t nobody got time for that.’
The best two ways I’ve discovered to get my picky eaters to gobble down their food is to 1) Provide them with multiple healthy choices at dinner (not multiple entrees just choices on the plate), and 2) Involve them in the food preparation process as much as possible.
Kids like fun food they can “prepare” themselves even if the preparation is as simple as spreading chicken salad on a cracker or tortilla. And let’s face it even older members of our family still enjoy some control of their personal preferences at dinner time. That’s what makes a simple chicken salad so ingenious.
So without further ado, here are three ways you can make chicken salad and some additional tips to make an incredibly simple dinner fantastic.
1) Ranchy Chicken Salad: This one is as simple as it sounds, and is my kids’ favorite version of chicken salad. Simply add ranch dressing to your chopped chicken until it’s well covered.
2) BBQ Chicken Salad: Just add your favorite barbecue sauce to the chicken. No need to heat.
3) Traditional Chicken Salad: Combine your chicken with mayonnaise, and any other add ins that you might want.
How To Make Your Chicken Salad The World’s Best
1) Use chicken that has never seen the inside of a can. Whether you simply bake your chicken in the oven, boil it, or buy a rotissere chicken from the store for added convince; your chicken salad will taste infinitely better if you use freshly cooked chicken.
2) Let your family choose their own dressing and add ins for the salad. The fact of the matter is everyone has their own specific tastes and preferences and my “world’s best chicken salad” is nowhere near the same as my husband’s, and it’s definitely a world different from my kids.
*Serving Tip* Give everyone their own bowl or plate for their portion of chicken. Have the add ins chopped and ready to go. Let everyone dress their chicken salad with the dressing of choice and throw in whatever add ins strike their fancy. Even my two year old likes mixing up his own chicken.
3) Let your family choose how to serve their own chicken salad. Have plenty of options ready. Crakers, tortillas, lettuce, and bread are all great choices for chicken salad. By putting the choice in the hands of your kids however you empower them to create a dinner they want to eat. And what kid doesn’t like to eat craker sandwiches.
Delicious Chicken Salad Add Ins
1) Chopped vegetables: carrots, celery, radishes, onions, cucumbers,
2) Chick peas
3) Nuts of any type
4) Alfalfa sprouts
5) Dried fruit such as raisins, cranberries, or cherries
6) Chopped fruit like apples or grapes
How To Involve your Kids In Dinner Prep
1) If your kids are old enough have them help you shred the cooked chicken, or pick the rotissere chicken.
2) Get the kids to pick out toppings and dressings that the rest of the family might enjoy in their chicken salad. Have them set their choices on the table.
3) For older kids have them help you chop up vegetables and other add ons.
4) Let them mix their own chicken salad and throw in whatever they want.
*Tip for the truly picky eater* Don’t forget you can just let your kids just eat undressed shredded chicken if nothing else appeals to them.
I’d love to know what you love throwing into your chicken salad in the comments, what type of chicken salad is your favorite?
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KMLogan
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