Today, we’re diving into an irresistible recipe that is sure to delight your palate and impress your guests during the holiday season. We are talking about the delicious Brazilian Christmas Salpicão, an incredibly easy-to-make chicken salad packed with flavors everyone will love. If you are looking for a special dish for your celebrations, this recipe is perfect for you.
Ingredients for Brazilian Christmas Salpicão:
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ bell pepper, thinly sliced
- approx. 10 oz (300g) cooked shredded chicken
- A pinch of salt
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp salt (for boiling)
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 2 medium potatoes, julienned
- 2 apples, thinly sliced
- Juice of ½ lemon
- ¾ cup (approx. 200g) heavy cream or Mexican crema
- ¾ cup (approx. 200g) mayonnaise
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ can corn, drained
- ½ can peas, drained
- ¼ cup chopped green olives
- 1 cup (100g) ham, thinly sliced into strips
- Raisins to taste
- 1 ½ cups (150g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- Shoestring potato sticks (a must-have for the topping!)
Instructions:
- In a skillet, heat a little extra-virgin olive oil.
- Sauté the red onion and bell pepper strips until the onion loses its sharpness and the peppers soften.
- Add the shredded chicken, seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste. Set aside.
- In a pot, bring water to a boil with a teaspoon of salt. Blanch the carrot for 1 to 2 minutes until al dente. Repeat the process with the potatoes.
- Place the blanched carrots and potatoes into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process immediately.
- Squeeze the lemon juice over the sliced apples to prevent browning, then mix them with the carrots, potatoes, and the prepared chicken.
- Prepare the dressing: in a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, mayonnaise, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Add the corn, peas, olives, ham, raisins, and mozzarella cheese to the large bowl with the chicken and vegetables.
- Toss everything gently and fold in the dressing. Top with shoestring potato sticks right before serving to maintain the crunch.
- Enjoy!
Tip:
For the best flavor and texture, mix your dressing separately before folding it into the salad. This ensures a perfectly uniform and creamy consistency.
Prep Time and Servings:
This Brazilian Christmas Salpicão takes about 30 minutes to prepare and serves approximately 6 generous portions. It’s the perfect crowd-pleaser for family gatherings.
Fun Fact:
Did you know that Salpicão is a staple of Brazilian holiday traditions? Every family has its own secret version, featuring special ingredients that reflect their unique tastes. Let us know in the comments how your family prepares this classic dish, and tell us what you think if you try our version!
Easy to make, incredibly flavorful, and festive, this dish is sure to win hearts at your next party. Enjoy the compliments!
May your holiday season be filled with joy and unforgettable flavors!