How to Make a Classic Chicken Salad for a Bento Box Lunch

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

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A classic chicken salad bento box lunch elevates your midday meal with satisfying and nutritious ingredients. Perfect for work, school, or picnics, this bento idea combines the deliciousness of classic chicken salad with vibrant sides that make lunchtime enjoyable. Here’s how to create a delightful bento box featuring classic chicken salad.

Ingredients

For your classic chicken salad bento box, you will need:

• Cooked Chicken: 2-3 cups shredded or diced cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken is a convenient choice)
• Mayonnaise: 1/2 cup (adjust based on your creaminess preference)
• Mustard: 1 tablespoon (yellow or Dijon for added flavor)
• Celery: 1-2 stalks, finely chopped
• Red Onion: 1/4 cup, finely chopped (optional)
• Fresh Herbs: 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or dill
• Salt and Pepper: To taste
• Lemon Juice: 1-2 tablespoons for brightness
• Bento Box Essentials:
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Cucumber slices
  • Hard-boiled eggs, halved
  • Fresh fruit (like grapes or apple slices)
  • Crackers or pita chips for dipping

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

If using raw chicken, boil, bake, or grill it until fully cooked (at least 165°F internal temperature). Once cooked, let it cool and shred or dice it. If you use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken, shred or chop it into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Mix the Base

Combine the shredded chicken with mayonnaise and mustard in a large mixing bowl. Stir until well-coated, adjusting the amount of mayonnaise to suit your desired creaminess.

Step 3: Add Crunch and Flavor

Fold in the chopped celery and red onion for added texture and flavor. At this stage, incorporate any fresh herbs to enhance the taste of your classic chicken salad.

Step 4: Season and Balance

Add salt, pepper, and lemon juice to taste. The lemon juice brightens the salad and adds a refreshing touch. Mix everything thoroughly to ensure a harmonious blend of flavors.

Step 5: Pack the Bento Box

1. Chicken Salad: Place a generous portion of the classic chicken salad in one bento box compartment.
2. Vegetables: Arrange cherry tomatoes and cucumber slices in another compartment for a refreshing crunch.
3. Protein: Add halved hard-boiled eggs for an additional protein boost to keep you full.
4. Fresh Fruit: Include a handful of grapes or apple slices for a sweet finish.
5. Dipping Snacks: Add crackers or pita chips in a separate compartment for dipping into your chicken salad.

Customization Ideas

• Add Nuts & Seeds: Toss some walnuts or sunflower seeds for extra crunch in your chicken salad.
• Spicy Kick: For a bit of spice and flavor complexity, incorporate a dash of hot sauce or sriracha into the chicken salad.
• Explore Flavors: Experiment with spices such as garlic powder or smoked paprika to enhance the flavor profile of your chicken salad.
• Vegetable Variety: Add baby carrots or bell pepper strips for more colorful veggie options.

Conclusion

A classic chicken salad bento box lunch is delicious, visually appealing, and nutritious. This bento idea is perfect for meal prep and can be easily customized to suit your taste preferences. Enjoy this flavorful and well-balanced lunch that will energize you throughout the day! For more chicken salad inspiration, check out AllRecipes, Spend With Pennies, and Momables recipes. Also, check out other recipes on our blog. Happy bento-ing!