Paleo Peaches & Cream Chicken Salad

I feel I need to confess that when I hear “peaches and cream” the raunchy R&B song from the early 2000’s start’s playing in my head.

I need it cause you know that I’m a fiend.

Gettin’ freaky in my Bentley limousine.

It’s even better when it’s with ice cream.

To be fair, when this came out I’m pretty sure I thought it was actually about peach cobbler, because honestly who doesn’t like peach cobbler better with ice cream?  Oh, to be young and naive again.

Even if you’re all grown up, this chicken salad might fool you.  It’s rich and creamy and the perfect balance between savory and sweet, but it’s actually completely sans dairy.  The creaminess is achieved with coconut milk.  I stirred in walnuts for a bit of a crunch and some fresh mint which compliments the peach in a really refreshing way.  This chicken salad is fantastic over mixed greens with a light dressing that won’t compete with it’s flavors.

Paleo Peaches & Cream Chicken Salad

A Messy Kitchen Original

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cooked and shredded/cubed
• 2-3 medium peaches, chopped
• 1/2 cup canned coconut milk, thick portion only (see instructions)
• 1/3 cup walnuts, chopped
• 1/4 cup mint, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste

How to: To get only the fatty part of the coconut milk, refrigerate for several hours and open from the bottom.  Strain the liquid and save it for a smoothie.  Scoop out 1/2 cup of the remaining coconut cream.  Mix this in with the chopped/shredded chicken.  Next, stir in the peaches and walnuts and then finally the mint.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 4

Johanna