Summer calls for chicken salad. From a quick lunch to picnics or boat fare, this classic meal is light and delicious.
A staple in the South, the dish originated in Rhode Island in 1863. Liam Gray, who owned Town Meats in Wakefield, Rhode Island, is credited with being the first to mix leftover chicken with mayonnaise, tarragon and grapes and sell it. It was a hit and its popularity spread.
Today, versions abound from sweet or savory to curry. It’s hard to find a bad chicken salad, but some versions stand out in the crowd. Here are a few of our local favorites (Chicken Salad Chick is a great chain, but we are focusing on local):
Beth's Bake Shoppe & Tea Room
Beth’s Bake Shoppe & Tea Room serves delicious desserts, sandwiches, salads and is well known for their chicken salad. If you like it on the sweet side, this is for you.
Beth Perry has owned this south Springfield tearoom for 29 years. The chicken salad recipe came from a former mentor and chef, and Perry said it’s a very popular dish. It has the classic elements of chicken tossed with mayonnaise, but hers includes sweet red grapes, crunchy pecans and secret seasonings.
Here’s what makes it really different: it’s served on toasted cinnamon raisin bread adding another sweet kiss. It is garnished with lettuce and tomato. If the raisin bread doesn’t strike your fancy, don’t worry, you can opt for chicken salad served on a fresh baked croissant. Perry says there’s an equal split of customers who want it on cinnamon bread and those who prefer croissants.
Each sandwich comes with a pickle spear and then your choice of one side. She has a good variety of sides: regular kettle or sweet Maui onion chips, cottage cheese, apple sauce or mandarin oranges, Watergate salad or nutty slaw. The onion chips or nutty slaw are great choices.
Find it: 1645 W. Republic Road, Unit D, Springfield; 417-866-5533; or online https://bethsbakeshoppe.com/
Derby Deli
The sandwiches at Derby Deli are rave worthy from a killer Reuben to two types of chicken salad to satisfy your hunger. If you lean towards the sweet side, you can try the honey almond salad with slivers of almonds. If you prefer a savory salad, try the tarragon, which we love! The tarragon is fresh and feels like summer.
Regardless of your preference, they are both winners and available by the pound in the deli or as a sandwich. Either sandwich is topped with applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, a smear of mayonnaise on toasted wheat berry bread. It comes with your choice of chips or salad. The salad is drizzled in their house-made balsamic vinegar and it’s outstanding. If you fall in love with the dressing, you can buy a bottle of it to take home.
They are located in the Brown Derby International Wine Center and have curbside pickup if you don’t want to eat in.
Find it: S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield; 417-823-3551; https://www.derbydeli.com/
St. Michael's Restaurant
The chicken salad at St. Michael’s Restaurant and Italian Catering is herbaceous heaven. For people who lean towards savory and wet chicken salads, it’s one of the best in town. Shredded chicken is thoroughly covered in mayonnaise with basil, oregano and pieces of onion and celery for texture. The mixture alone is fantastic but it comes served on a soft, white Milano roll which has a nice chewy interior. The bread is excellent.
The sandwich is dressed with provolone, lettuce and tomato. This eatery has been a downtown lunch staple since 1973.
If you’ve never been there before, don’t leave without a slice of cake. This time of year, the lemon blueberry is must, sinfully good and incredibly moist. Any time of year, the banana cake with cream cheese frosting is legendary. Just imagine a denser version of banana bread crowned with delectable cream cheese frosting.
Find it: 301 South Ave.; 417-865-2315, https://www.stmichaelsspringfield.com/
Tea Bar & Bites
Colleen Smith, owner of Tea Bar & Bites, has the best curry chicken salad in town and customers love it. This adorable Rountree restaurant has been in business for 22 years and has an array of tasty dishes.
The curry chicken salad is fabulous and starts with tender chunks of chicken, mixed with crunchy pecans and celery and tossed in a creamy curry mayo dressing. It’s not spicy but brings the flavor. It has a great amount of moisture so it’s perfect on a bed of lettuce or in a croissant. They also sell it by the pound to go if you’re not eating in and I’ve served it as a dip with crackers or tortilla chips. If it’s nice outside, sit on the lovely patio.
Dessert lovers, her coconut cupcakes are incredible and a perfect way to end the meal.
Find it: 621 S. Pickwick Ave.; 417-866-7500; https://teabarandbites.com/
Spring Creek Tea Room
Spring Creek Tea Room in Ozark is another stop on this chicken salad journey. This is sort of like grandma’s classic chicken salad with pecans, celery, grapes and even a whisper of cinnamon. It’s lovely. It comes on marble bread and there’s a variety of combo meal options.
In summer, they often have a chilled soup (if strawberry soup is on the menu, go for it) so you can order half a sandwich and soup or sandwich and salad. They make the salad dressings in house and the poppy seed is light and flavorful.
Speaking of grandma, if you’re lucky your grandma made desserts like this. The main attraction at this tearoom is probably the desserts: old fashioned pies, decadent layered cakes and cookies. They are known for their desserts and it’s suggested that you order dessert when you order your meal to lock in your choice because they sell out. Their cakes are spectacular.
Get there early, as it is popular. They are located in an antique mall so you can shop around if you have to wait.
Find it: 107 S. 3rd St., Ozark; 417-582-1331; or online at https://www.facebook.com/springcreektearoom
Harter House deli
Harter House deli on Eastgate is the only Harter House location that sells house made cranberry chicken salad in the deli. They make it in house and it starts with fresh chicken breasts that they smoke themselves. Then they mix it with just a tiny bit of mayonnaise, just enough to hold it together.
The smoked meat contrasted by the sweet and tart cranberries is a great pairing. Because this is not creamy like other chicken salad, it’s not as good served on bread, because it can feel dry. However, it’s delicious on crackers, or serve it as an appetizer with tortilla chips.
The salty corn chip adds another element to the flavor. People rave about this at parties. For a low carb lunch, buy butter lettuce and make a chicken salad lettuce wrap. They also sell a version without cranberries, but the cranberries add a lot of flavor.
Find it: Harter House Eastgate, 1625 S. Eastgate, Springfield; 417-883-1650 or https://www.harterhouse.com/eastgate
