You know those days when you crave something both nostalgic and delightfully simple? This Easy Chicken Olivye recipe is like a hug on a plate—comforting, familiar, and oh-so-satisfying. Perfect for when you’re in the mood for a dish that brings back memories of family gatherings, yet fits seamlessly into the chaos of modern life.
Steps
- Cut the chicken breasts in half if they are large and place them in a medium saucepan. Cover with water, add 1 teaspoon of salt, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked, then drain, let it cool, and dice it. If using rotisserie chicken, remove the skin, dice the meat, and place it in a large mixing bowl.
- Peel and dice the carrots, then do the same for the potatoes, ensuring they are the same size as the carrots. Put the diced carrots and potatoes in a medium pot, cover with water, add 1 teaspoon of salt, and bring to a boil. Cook uncovered for 10-12 minutes until tender, then rinse with cold water, drain, and transfer to paper towels to remove excess water before adding to the mixing bowl.
- In the mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of peas, 5 diced boiled eggs, 12 diced baby pickles, finely diced onion, and 1/4 cup of fresh dill. Mix in the mayonnaise, adjusting the salt and pepper to taste, and stir everything together until well combined.
Ingredients
- 1 pound (approximately 2 medium) chicken breasts, or store-bought rotisserie chicken
- 3 medium to large russet potatoes, peeled
- 3 large carrots, peeled
- 2 cups thawed frozen peas
- 5 large eggs, boiled and chopped
- 12 baby dill pickles, diced (about 2 cups)
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
- 1 cup mayonnaise, or adjust to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or adjust to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper, or adjust to taste
FAQ
- What is Chicken Olivye?
- Chicken Olivye, also known as Olivier salad, is a popular Slavic potato salad that traditionally includes ingredients like potatoes, carrots, peas, eggs, and pickles. This version uses chicken instead of the more traditional kielbasa.
- Can I use pre-cooked chicken for this recipe?
- Yes, you can use store-bought rotisserie chicken. Simply remove the skin and dice the meat before adding it to the salad.
- How should the vegetables be prepared for the salad?
- Carrots and potatoes should be peeled and diced into small, equal-sized pieces. They are then boiled until tender, rinsed with cold water, and drained well before mixing with the other ingredients.
- What is a good substitution for fresh dill?
- If fresh dill is not available, you can use dried dill as an alternative. However, use it sparingly as dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor.
- How can I adjust the seasoning in the salad?
- The amount of mayonnaise, salt, and pepper can be adjusted according to your personal taste preference. It’s recommended to start with the quantities mentioned in the recipe and then add more as needed.
Tips
- To save time, consider using store-bought rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken breasts. Simply remove the skin and dice the meat for quick preparation.
- Use a chopping tool or “chop wizard” for uniform potato and carrot pieces, which ensures even cooking and a consistent texture throughout the salad.
- After boiling, rinse the carrots and potatoes with cold water to stop the cooking process and maintain their firmness. This helps to avoid a mushy texture in the final salad.
- Adjust the amount of mayonnaise, salt, and pepper to your personal taste preferences. This flexibility allows you to customize the creaminess and seasoning level of the salad.
Equipment
- Chop Wizard – This tool is used for dicing potatoes and other vegetables efficiently and evenly.
