Swanson Canned Chicken – Picnic Chicken Salad Sandwiches

I am delighted to bring you my 3rd Swanson Canned Chicken recipe creation, as part of the Swanson Chicken Blogger Enthusiast Program! The theme for this recipe is Spring Time in the Park, so I decided to create something simple and portable, but so incredibly tasty (if I do say so myself).

Pine Nut and Cranberry Picnic Chicken Salad

Ingredients:
1 can of Swanson Canned Chicken (or course you can double the recipe if you have more than 4 people)
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup pine nuts
3/4 cup mayo
1 cup shredded swiss or jack cheese (I found a swiss & gruyere blend!)
Salt and pepper to taste
Loaf of fresh ciabatta bread
Tomatoes & lettuce (optional)

1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 tsp basil
1/4 tsp oregano
2 cloves garlic (crushed/minced)

Begin by mixing the last four ingredients. This mixture is what you will brush on the Ciabatta bread slices. In small bowl, measure olive oil, add spices and crush garlic. Blend well and let sit.

In a separate large bowl, drain and add chicken, cranberries, pine nuts, mayo, cheese, salt and pepper. Mix well and refrigerate.

Heat large skillet or griddle to medium.

Slice Ciabatta bread into 1/4 inch slices. Liberally brush or spoon olive oil mixture on each slice and place this side down on griddle. Cook until light brown and slightly crispy.

For your picnic, you can bring the cooled bread slices in a plastic bag, and the chicken salad mixture in a disposable container. It’s quick and easy to make the sandwiches right on the spot! When assembling the sandwiches, place the filling on the toasted sides of the bread, so the outside of the sandwich will be soft.

The flavor of this is nothing short of amazing. Seriously.  Once again, Swanson Canned Chicken has impressed me so much.  This recipe would not be nearly as easy if I had to cook the chicken, remove meat and bones and shred it.  I honestly don’t think the flavor would be as good either.  Swanson Canned Chicken just has such a great taste, and the chicken is so tender and moist. I will ALWAYS keep it on hand!

Make sure you check out the other recipes I created using Swanson Chicken – Chicken Wraps with Cool Avocado Dressing and Chicken and Dumplings!

*I will be compensated for creating and posting this original recipe for Swanson Canned Chicken.