A Paleo Chicken Salad for the Lunch Box

I used Texas Pecan Halves & Spicy Cayenne Pepper, be Creative & Enjoy.

Of late it seems that everyone in my family is on some form of Paleo (aka: Caveman Diet), Zone or Gluten Free Diet.  In truth I've been really trying to stick to the First Two food lifestyles.  We are always trying to find another way to exclude those favorite starches & find a meal which appeals to all of us.Bytes from Texas first found dozens of Paleo diet websites which eschew many starches & anything with grains or dairy.  I can take most of this diet lifestyle very well but the total lack of grains does get a little tedious for me long term but it the benefits currently seem to outweigh the negatives.  One of the best sources of Paleo recipes which are more than just a meat & veggie meal can be found at PaleoPlan.  In fact I borrowed liberally for my spicy version of the Lascaux Chicken Waldorf Salad.  I also used Agave Nectar instead of the site's version using honey.  I discovered Agave Nectar while living in Mexico.  The health benefits of Agave Nectar have long been recognized.  For more info on this sweet sugar & honey substitution check Here.

This past week when the Mister had to travel away from home I ended up having to figure out ways of using up an entire roast chicken.  (Not too much of a stretch actually!) I decided a cold dinner of a Paleo Chicken Salad would be just perfect. We had so much Chicken Salad left over that a lunch choice was of course a natural progression.  Throwing this yummy salad into a Bento along side a few veggies was wonderful.  You can dress up or spice your own chicken salad up or down.   I recommend making this salad as I did the evening before & chilling it well for a good lunch box addition. 


Paleo Chicken Salad
4 cups of cooked diced chicken, or whole roasted chicken, meat pulled off the bone & skinned.
2 large tart apple, cored & diced
1 red bell pepper, seeded & diced
½ cup chopped walnuts
¼ cup homemade* mayonnaise
2 teaspoons lime juice
2 teaspoons agave nectar
Cayenne pepper

Instructions for Salad

In a medium size bowl, combine chicken, apple, bell pepper & pecans.
In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, lime juice & agave nectar and mix until well blended.
Season to taste with cayenne pepper
Toss the dressing over chicken salad and toss to cover chicken & serve immediately or chill.
Mayonnaise is by nature friendly towards this diet lifestyle however if the chicken salad seems to need more moisture in the way of mayonnaise watch amount of extra mayo being added.