Brazilian Chicken Salad (Salpicão)

June 12, 2014

Brazilian Chicken Salad (Salpicão)

Are you guys pumped for the World Cup?
I’m literally buzzing.
The Opening Ceremony in Sao Paolo is today at 2pm, and then the focus will fall on Brazil as they get the World Cup underway against Croatia.
Afterwards the two biggest heavyweight fights of the first round arrive in short order: Spain against the Netherlands on Friday - a rematch of the final played in South Africa 4 years ago - and England against Italy on Saturday.
On Monday, the United States plays its first match, against Ghana.
Hurray!
One thing though before we proceed any further, are we going to refer to it as the Soccer World Cup? or the Football World Cup?
Football is the original name and the official name picked by the Int Federation.
FIFA -> Fédération Internationale de Football Association.
In the majority of Europe and the world it is officially known and called Football. But in the US and Australia (and a couple of other places), it’s called soccer.
So for the sake of simplicity can we all agree for once and call it just the World Cup?

Brazilian Chicken Salad (Salpicão)

As I wanted to celebrate the beginning of the World Cup on TIY,
I asked my friend Flavia from Rio for an authentic Brazilian recipe. Simple, easy to replicate, and possibly paleo-friend.
After all there were cavemen in Brazil too, right? Hehehe...
She suggested this classic Brazilian chicken salad, aka Salpicão.
In Rio de Janeiro it’s sold by vendors along beaches (usually in a sandwich) and is packed with grated vegetables, sweet raisins, fresh lime juice, and cilantro.
Flavia told me that there's no single recipe or correct way to make Salpicão. The variations are endless, but the main ingredients stay the same. Chicken, apples, raisins, carrots, onions, and a mayonnaise based dressing are usually featured.
Add-ons include peas (canned or fresh), corn (canned or fresh) and even pineapple.
It's really wonderful and refreshing. Perfect for a summer picnic or lunch.

Brazilian Chicken Salad (Salpicão)

And if you’re wondering what’s up with the props in the pictures…I confess, yes, I painted a miniature football/soccer field/pitch on a wooden board.
And yes, I made a replica of soccer/football goal with some wooden sticks and painted it white.
But no, I didn’t made the miniature soccer/football ball; it was attached to a key-chain I found in a thrift shop.

Brazilian Chicken Salad (Salpicão)                                                                 Print this recipe!

Salpicão is usually served with shoestring fries on top (or on the side). Feel free to add them as well — for the sake of authenticity of course.
Also, as mentioned above, Salpicão may also include peas (canned or fresh), corn (canned or fresh) and even pineapple. Do play around with this recipe.

Ingredients
Serves 4

2 boneless (free-range organic) chicken breasts, poached, cooled and shredded
2 medium carrots, peeled and grated
2 green apples, cored, peeled and diced
⅓ cup / 1.8 oz / 50 gr raisins
1 small red onion, finely chopped
2 sprigs fresh cilantro (or parsley), chopped
Juice of 1 lime
5 to 6 tablespoon mayo (make your own paleo mayo with this recipe)
1 cup / 10 oz / 285 gr plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
¼ teaspoon fine grain sea salt
Ground black pepper to taste

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the chicken, grated carrot, apples, raisins, parsley, onion and lime juice.
Stir well with wooden spoon to combine. Set aside.
In a small bowl combine mayo, Greek yogurt (or sour cream) salt and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
Add to the chicken and stir until well until combined and coated. Adjust seasoning, if needed.
Serve with chilled!

Nutrition facts

One serving yields 380 calories, 17 grams of fat, 29 grams of carbs and 34 grams of protein.

29 comments:

  1. This looks amazing, Mike! But most of all I am impressed with your food props!!!!

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  2. Loving that you created the soccer field and the goal, it's so awesome!

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  3. This would be great with your shoestring sweet potato fries, can't wait to try it! Way to go all out on the soccer field props - that's some serious dedication!

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  4. As this post came in my husband was searching frantically for the first game - and apparently missed it. Yes, we call it soccer, but know it is really futbol (football in Spanish). And we follow the world cup. (My husband is a soccer referee, and one of our friends is a FIFA referee, so we pay attention to the refs, too.) Your recipe sounds wonderful, like something definitely worth trying. Good things come out of Brazil!

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    1. A soccer referee? That's awesome. I've never met an official soccer referee in my life!

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  5. Cute soccer field Mike, love this recipe, I bet it would be good on a sandwich.

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  6. Aren't you sweet? I only found your blog a few days ago, and you already write a post especially for me? ;-)

    As a Brazilian, it comes with the territory that I am all pumped up, and in fact when Croacia scored today through Brazil's own goal, I almost lost my life to a massive coronary

    Salpicao is one of my favorite recipes and I haven't made it in ages! Thanks for the memories....

    I call it "COPA DO MUNDO" but I guess that's just a bit too Brazilian, right? ;-)

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    1. Sorry, should have spelled Croatia - I used the Brazilian spelling, I guess Brazil is on my mind...

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  7. Way cool food props Mike - you've not only a talented cook, photographer, and athlete but a painter too :)
    I hadn't heard of "Salpicão" before- but any salad with chicken with apples are win win for me
    Thanks to your friend Flavia for suggesting this one!

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    1. Painter I think it's an overstatement. Let's say that I can paint a wooden board green and draw a couple of white lines.

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  8. You totally deserve rock-star status for making those props, Mike! I am WAY impressed. I've never had salpicao, but now I totally want to try it. And as far as the World Cup, Brazil was totally handed that game yesterday. They might have goal line technology this year, but that doesn't keep the refs from making terribad calls still! I am stoked for The Netherlands-Spain game this afternoon, too!!

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    1. Dude, I'm anything but a rock-star.
      Netherlands, Italy and France are so far my fave teams. I loved Bosnia's game last night, they so not deserved to lose against Argentina.
      So pumped for Germany - Portugal tonight and of course US -Ghana. Major.

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  9. I have never heard of Salpicão either, but it looks really good and healthy (with yogurt). I am in Lisbon, Portugal right now and went out last night with natives not even knowing that the World Cup was last night. I was wondering why everyone was wearing Brazilian clothing and colors. I thought we were just celebrating Santo António until I saw the end of the game and everyone yelled GOLLLLLLLLLL! Needless to say, I never mentioned this to my friends :) Ayyy that is how into futebol (in Ptg) I am. Great props!! I'm impressed!

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    1. You lucky duck! I'm so jealous you're in PT right now, must be amazing. Tonight's game against Germany is going to be massive. Can't wait to watch it!

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  10. Okay, I don't eat meat, but this set-up is just so adorable. I am excited for the world cup! I love a themed recipe and Brazil and soccer and salad!

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  11. That football field is the msot adorable thing ever Mike!!!! Cannot wait for today's match featuring Spain (we're going to win but shhhhh) ;--) Also, this salad looks so fresh and delicious! I'm loving this flavor combo!
    Have a nice weekend! x

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    1. I'm sorry for Spain's loss against The Netherlands, it was brutal (to say the least!) but they played better...
      I'm sure you guys will be able to come back strong. After all you're the reigning World and European champions. That must count for something!

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  12. Dude, never heard of this Brazilian Chicken Salad but is sounds fantastic! Loving all the fruit/veggies that are loaded up in it. And this cutesy stuff of making a little soccer field... pretty cool, gotta admit. And, for now on I'll be demanding fries everytime I have chicken salad... for, like you said, authenticity sake.

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    1. Dude, I feel that you're interpreting this "sake of authenticity" as an excuse to order fries when you're supposed to eat salad. Or maybe I'm just being overly suspicious of your food choices... ;)

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  13. I would love to pile this up on a crunch garlic toast!! Love this salad. Looks so delicious!

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    1. That's actually a great idea Ami, I should try it as well!

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  14. So pumped for the world cup... love this time of year! My husband even came home early today to watch the Holland game. :) This Chicken Salad is perfect to munch on while watching the game. Great pics Mike!

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    1. Krista I've watched all the games so far; including Japan v Ivory Coast. I'm not getting anything done these days, it's a full on disaster.

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  15. I've been making Salpicao salad ever since it first appeared on Martha Stewart's show back in the '90's. Her version is served on a bed of crispy fried grated potatoes. Very delicious... but very high in calories. Haven't made it in years. Nice to see a much lightened up version of it. This is definitely worth trying!!!

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