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?



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.

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.