Discover the ultimate recipe for a incredibly versatile chicken and vegetable rice salad, perfectly complemented by a tangy balsamic and onion dressing. This dish is a true culinary chameleon, effortlessly adapting to any season or occasion. Whether you’re craving a comforting hot casserole on a chilly evening or a refreshing cold salad for a sunny summer lunch, this recipe delivers on flavor, convenience, and adaptability. It’s a fantastic solution for busy weeknights, effortless meal prep, or a crowd-plepleasing contribution to potlucks and gatherings.

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Effortless Preparation: Quick and Easy Time Needed

One of the many appealing aspects of this chicken and veggie rice salad is its minimal preparation time. Starting with already cooked ingredients, such as leftover rice and pre-cooked chicken, significantly cuts down on the effort. You’ll primarily focus on chopping the fresh vegetables and whisking together the delightful dressing. With just about 10 minutes needed for active prep and assembly, this recipe is a lifesaver for those busy days when time is a luxury. Remember a crucial tip: ensure your frozen peas are thawed before you begin for the best texture and integration into the salad!

To make the process even smoother, consider these time-saving hacks:

• **Pre-chopped Ingredients:** Many grocery stores offer pre-chopped red or green onions and shredded carrots, which can shave off precious minutes.
• **Rotisserie Chicken:** A store-bought rotisserie chicken is your best friend for quick meals. Simply shred the meat and you’re good to go.
• **Batch Cook Rice:** Prepare a larger batch of rice at the beginning of the week and store it in the refrigerator. Cold rice works perfectly for this salad.

These small steps ensure that you can have a wholesome, flavorful meal on the table in record time, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or last-minute lunch preparations.

Essential Ingredients for Your Delicious Rice Salad with Vegetables and Chicken

Crafting this flavorful rice salad is straightforward, requiring a handful of fresh and pantry-staple ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in creating a balanced and satisfying dish that’s both hearty and refreshing.

• **Red Onion, or Green Onion:** Finely chopped, these provide a sharp, pungent kick that is essential for the dressing and adds a fresh bite to the salad. Green onions offer a milder alternative.
• **Salt:** A fundamental seasoning to enhance all the flavors in the dressing and the overall salad.
• **Black Pepper:** Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle warmth and aromatic depth.
• **Mayonnaise:** The creamy base for our tangy dressing, binding all the flavors together and providing a rich texture.
• **Balsamic Vinegar:** The star of the dressing, lending a delightful sweet-tart tang that brightens the entire dish and pairs wonderfully with the other ingredients.
• **Cooked Rice:** The foundation of this salad. Cold, day-old rice works best as it prevents the salad from becoming mushy. Any type of rice (white, brown, wild, basmati, jasmine) can be used, offering different textures and nutritional profiles.
• **Frozen Peas:** Thawed before use, these add a pop of sweet flavor, vibrant color, and a tender texture. They are a classic addition to many rice salads.
• **Carrot:** Shredded raw carrot contributes a refreshing crunch, natural sweetness, and a boost of vibrant orange color and nutrients.
• **Cooked Chicken:** Pre-cooked and shredded or diced, chicken makes this salad a substantial main course. Leftover roasted chicken, grilled chicken, or even canned chicken can be used for convenience.
• **Montreal Chicken Seasoning:** A flavorful spice blend that adds a distinctive savory and peppery taste to the chicken. It typically includes garlic, onion, pepper, and various herbs.
• **Lettuce:** Optional, but highly recommended for serving the cold salad version, providing a crisp bed and an added layer of freshness.

Thoughtful Adaptations for Various Dietary Needs

This rice salad is inherently versatile, making it relatively easy to adjust for different dietary restrictions and preferences. Here’s how you can customize it for your family:

When it comes to **gluten-free options**, Montreal chicken seasoning is often a point of concern. While McCormick states they will clearly label any “natural seasonings” or similar ingredients that contain gluten on their products (you can find more detailed information and contact options on McCormick’s contact page), it’s always prudent to perform your own research. Product formulations can change, and individual sensitivities vary. For absolute certainty, checking the ingredient label directly or opting for a certified gluten-free alternative is the safest approach.

Alternatively, crafting your own **homemade Montreal chicken seasoning** is a simple and rewarding endeavor. Numerous recipes are available online, allowing you complete control over the ingredients. This ensures it’s not only gluten-free but also free from any other unwanted additives. Spice mixes are quick to prepare and can be stored for future use, making it a convenient solution for flavor customization.

For those following a **dairy-free or vegan diet**, the mayonnaise can easily be swapped with a plant-based mayonnaise alternative. There are many excellent vegan mayonnaise brands available that provide the same creamy texture and tangy flavor without dairy or eggs.

To make this a completely **vegetarian dish**, simply omit the cooked chicken. You can enhance the protein content by adding chickpeas, black beans, lentils, or even pan-fried tofu cubes. For a richer flavor, consider tossing the vegetarian protein with a bit of the Montreal seasoning (if gluten-free) before adding it to the salad. This adaptation allows everyone to enjoy the delicious flavors of this versatile meal.

For a **lower-carbohydrate version**, consider substituting traditional rice with cauliflower rice. While the texture will be different, it still provides a hearty base for the vegetables and dressing. Ensure the cauliflower rice is cooked and cooled before mixing it in, just like regular rice.

These modifications ensure that almost anyone can enjoy a delicious and satisfying version of this fantastic rice salad.

Expert Tips and Creative Variations for Your Rice Salad

Just like many of my go-to recipes, this chicken and vegetable rice salad is wonderfully flexible, allowing you to adapt it based on what ingredients you have readily available in your pantry or refrigerator. Don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with different seasonings or a variety of vegetables to suit your taste or dietary needs. For instance, if red or green onions are not on hand, I’ve successfully used about 2 tablespoons of dehydrated onion, and the results were still fantastic. This is truly a recipe where you can confidently mix things up and make it your own.

This incredibly tasty recipe stands out for its remarkable versatility – it can be served hot or cold, as a substantial main dish or a lighter side, and easily adjusted to be meat-based or entirely vegetarian! Here are some creative ways to enjoy this adaptable dish:

• **For a Refreshing Summer Lunch:** Serve the chilled rice salad generously mounded on a bed of crisp lettuce leaves. This presentation is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light, satisfying midday meal. The cool, tangy flavors are incredibly invigorating on a warm day.
• **For a Hearty Beef-Inspired Dish:** If you prefer beef over chicken, consider substituting the homemade balsamic-onion dressing with an Asian-style salad dressing. When going this route, remember to omit the Montreal chicken seasoning and instead season your cooked beef with flavors that complement the Asian dressing, such as soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. This variation offers a completely different, yet equally delicious, flavor profile.
• **For a Comforting Baked Dinner Casserole:** Transform this salad into a warm, inviting casserole. After combining all the ingredients, transfer the mixture to a baking dish. For an extra layer of indulgence, sprinkle a generous cup of shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese) over the top before baking. Bake it at 350ºF (175ºC) for approximately 30 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is bubbly and golden. This makes for a perfect hearty family dinner.
• **For a Quick Hot or Cold Side Dish:** To serve this as a side, simply omit the chicken, reducing the preparation to just the flavorful rice and vegetables. Portion it into smaller servings. It works beautifully alongside grilled fish, roasted meats, or as part of a larger buffet spread. You can serve it warm (if heated through) or chilled, depending on your main course and preference.
• **Add More Vegetables:** Incorporate other fresh vegetables like diced bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange for color and sweetness), chopped celery for extra crunch, or even corn for a different kind of sweetness. Cucumber also adds a wonderful coolness and crisp texture.
• **Vary the Protein:** Beyond chicken, consider cooked shrimp, flaked salmon, or hard-boiled eggs for alternative protein sources. For a vegetarian option, chickpeas or black beans are excellent additions.
• **Spice It Up:** If you enjoy a bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce can be mixed into the dressing.
• **Herb Freshness:** Fresh herbs like chopped parsley, dill, or chives can add another layer of flavor and aroma, particularly if serving cold.

I genuinely enjoy hearing how you’ve personalized my recipes! Please feel free to leave a comment below with your unique twists and variations, or even better, tag @addsaltandserve on Instagram to share your culinary creations with our community!

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Ingredients

  

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition per serving

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

This chicken and veggie rice salad is not just delicious but also incredibly practical for meal planning and prep. Here’s how to store it and enjoy it throughout the week:

• **Refrigeration:** Store any leftover rice salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and flavorful for up to 3-4 days. This makes it perfect for packing lunches for work or school.
• **Meal Prep:** To prepare ahead, you can cook the rice and chicken in advance. Chop the vegetables and prepare the dressing separately. Store all components individually in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply combine everything, toss with the dressing, and enjoy. This method helps maintain the freshness and texture of each ingredient until assembly.
• **Serving Temperature:** While delicious cold directly from the fridge, if serving as a casserole, it should be thoroughly heated to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to some common questions about making and customizing this versatile rice salad:

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Absolutely! Brown rice is an excellent substitute for white rice. It will add a nuttier flavor and a chewier texture, along with increased fiber and nutrients. Just ensure it’s cooked and cooled completely before mixing into the salad.

What other vegetables can I add to this salad?

The possibilities are endless! Feel free to incorporate finely diced bell peppers (any color), corn kernels (fresh or frozen and thawed), chopped cucumber, celery, or even steamed broccoli florets. Experiment with your favorites to add more color, texture, and nutritional value.

Can this recipe be made vegetarian or vegan?

Yes, easily! For a vegetarian version, simply omit the cooked chicken. To make it a vegan dish, also replace the mayonnaise with a plant-based vegan mayonnaise. You can add plant-based protein sources like chickpeas, black beans, lentils, or firm tofu (marinated and pan-fried) to keep it hearty and satisfying.

How long does the rice salad last in the refrigerator?

When stored properly in an airtight container, the rice salad will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. It often tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.

Can I freeze this rice salad?

Freezing this salad is generally not recommended, especially if it contains mayonnaise and fresh vegetables like lettuce and cucumber. The texture of these ingredients can change significantly upon thawing, leading to a watery or mushy consistency. It’s best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated for a few days.