Dill pickle chicken cucumber boat is a quick 20-minute recipe with tender chicken, cream, rich dressing and crunchy pickle all stuffed with fresh cucumber half. It’s a crisp, rich bite that feels lightweight and perfect for weekday lunches, quick snacks or fun appetizers.
143 Cal 8 grams of carbohydrates 3G fat 20G protein 2
Dill pickle chicken cucumber boat recipe
If you like pickles, you will flip these dill pickles chicken cucumber boats. They are everything you want, and can be served in a classic chicken salad, creamy, rich and full of crispy crust, but paired with a crispy cucumber “boat” instead of bread. This makes them a light and satisfying meal that is perfect for lunch, picnic or quick snacks.
This recipe is a lifeguard when you stare at a pile of cucumbers and wonder what to do next! It’s an easy, low-carb way to fill in fresh vegetables and quickly became regular in our lunch spins. My husband piled up his high places for a hearty lunch, and even the kids couldn’t stand the crunchy bites of that rich kimchi flavor.
You can easily customize them with different pickles, herbs, and even spicy twists, but it’s hard to beat the cool brittleness of cucumber, creamy dill chicken.
If you want more healthy chicken salad recipes, check out this avocado chicken salad and Mediterranean chicken salad!
Before you begin
Here are some important tips to keep in mind before making this recipe:
- Choose the right cucumber: Seedless English cucumbers are ideal as they are long, straight and have fewer seeds, making them perfect for filling.
- Remove excess moisture: Cut the pickles into diced paper towels so they don’t water the salad.
- Using barbecue chicken: If you have insufficient time or don’t have any leftover chicken, grab a barbecue chicken and chop it up.
How to Make Chicken Salad Cucumber Boat
Follow these easy steps to create this cool, crispy lunch favorite.
1. Make dressings
Mix the cream base with seasoning in a mixing bowl until smooth and delicious.
Extra kimchi flavor: If you are a kimchi lover like me, feel free to add more kimchi juice to make the seasoning richer and add more kimchi flavor!
2. Add filling
Stir the chicken and crunchy vegetables until everything is covered.
3. Prepare cucumbers
Cut them in half lengthwise and dig out the seeds to free up the chicken mixture.
4. Fill and eat
Pour salad into the cucumber boat and add your favorite decor before enjoying.
What can I eat with dill pickle chicken cucumber boat?
While you can provide this recipe as directed by the cucumber boat, there are a lot of delicious recipes to offer this recipe!
- French fries or vegetables: Swap the cucumber boat with roasted potato chips, microwaved vegetable slices, vegetarian sticks or cucumber slices for a protein-packed snack!
- On the salad: Spread a bunch of chicken salads onto a veggie bed with a light balsamic vinegar for a low-carb lunch.
- With potatoes: Add some simple baked potatoes or baked sweet cakes to the side of the chicken salad to make it a little healthy carbs!
Changes and swaps
Make your own recipe with these simple changes and replacements.
- Kimchi Exchange: Swap the dill pickles for bread and pickles for a sweeter flavor, or use spicy pickles for extra Zing. You can also mix various pickles to make it more complicated.
- Spicy kick: Add chopped jalapeno, marinated banana chili or a little hot sauce to the chicken salad. For a smoky spicy combination, try a little chipotle powder.
- Basic options: Replace cucumbers with lettuce rolls, mini bells, hollowed-out tomatoes or leaf-resistant leaves for fun speeches. This can also help customize the recipe for different dietary preferences.
- Cream Twist: Swap regular Greek yogurt for extra mayonnaise for a richer flavor, or use mashed potatoes as a creamy, dairy-free alternative. Adding a tablespoon of sour cream can also give it an extra flavor.
- Herb Boost: Fresh Dill is classic, but you can mix it in parsley, chives or tarragon for different flavor sizes.
- Onion Exchange: Instead of green onions, use red onions slightly stronger.
- Smoke Rotating: Add some chopped bacon to the chicken salad for a little smoky flavor.
Storage and leftovers
Proper storage ensures that your cucumber boat stays fresh and delicious.
- Shop: Place the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you prepare cucumbers in advance, store them separately and wrap them in containers or zippered bags to absorb excess moisture and maintain brittleness.
- Leftovers: If the cucumber has been filled and you have leftovers, remove the filling and store it separately from the cucumber shell. This prevents moisture and allows you to reuse sandwiches, chicken salad lettuce rolls or leafy greens for a quick salad!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions about making chicken and cucumber boats:
Can I do these in advance?
Yes. Chicken salad can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For optimal texture, wait for the cucumber boat to fill until delivered to serve to keep the cucumber crisp. You can also insert them by slicing and sc and then secure them in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Which type of chicken works best?
The barbecue chicken is a convenient and delicious option, but cooked or grilled chicken breasts can also work well if you are willing to control the seasoning. The remaining roast or roasted chicken will add extra flavor. If you are in a state of emergency, you can always use canned chicken breasts!
Can I have dairy-free?
Yes. Replace Greek yogurt with unsweetened lactic-free yogurt made from almonds, coconut or soy milk. Swap cream cheese for a dairy-free alternative, or use other mayonnaise for cream. Be sure to check if the label may change the salad flavor any added sugar or seasoning.
Can I use regular cucumbers?
Yes. If using standard cucumbers, remove them to remove thicker skin, then cut them in half and then sc the seeds. Since regular cucumbers have more moisture than English cucumbers, you may need to slap them with paper towels to prevent the filling from becoming watery.
