Chicken Salad with Peas and Herb Mustard Vinaigrette

I like chicken salad and I especially like my mom’s, but it is loaded with mayonnaise….which I don’t like!  I’ve tried several recipes in the past and finally came up with my own healthy version.  I find it super yummy!  What’s even better it’s got veggies in it, and no mayonnaise!  I’ve made this chicken salad the past two weeks and I still can’t get enough of it.  I make it on the weekend so I can have it for the week to make sandwiches or even by itself with a couple pita chips.  Just thinking about it makes my mouth water, or maybe it’s because it’s lunch time and I’m hungry.  I like to think it’s just that good and I can’t get enough of it.  Too bad I finished up the last of the batch last night!  I guess I’ll have to make some more soon.  Here’s the recipe and I hope you find it as delicious as my house does.

Chicken Salad with Peas and Herb Mustard Vinaigrette

• ¼ cup tightly packed fresh parsley
• ¼ cup tightly packed fresh basil
• 1/2 cup green onion
• 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
• ½ Tbsp Dijon Mustard
• ½ Tbsp Honey Mustard
• 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
• 1 tsp honey
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 ½ cups chopped cooked chicken (I used a rotisserie chicken)
• ¾ cups finely chopped celery
• ¾ cup frozen peas, thawed
• 2 Tbsp sliced almonds, toasted
• 1/3  cup shredded low-fat mozzarella

For the Herb Mustard Vinaigrette:

Combine first 11 ingredients (through garlic), in a food processor; process until smooth. Set aside.

For Chicken Salad:

Combine herb mixture with chicken, celery, peas, and cheese in a large bowl, tossing well.  Sprinkle with toasted almonds. Enjoy!

Store in an air tight container and place in the refrigerator.

KID CONVERTIBLE NOTE:  To make this chicken salad appealing to kids, wrap it up in whole wheat wrap instead of placing in between bread.  Or put out a bowl with some pita chips so they can dip into the salad like they would salsa.  If your child has a nut allergy, simple strike the almonds from the ingredients list.  You can always do half the salad with almonds and half without too.