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The Whole Smiths

The Whole Smiths

Whole Eating + Happy Living

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Recipes
    • Cooking Method
      • 5 Ingredients or Less
      • 30 Minutes or Less
      • Easy-to-Make
      • Instant Pot
      • Make Ahead, Keep on Hand
      • One Dish, Pan, Pot or Sheet Pan
      • Weekend Living
    • Dietary Guidelines
      • Dairy-Free
      • Gluten-Free
      • Grain-Free
      • Paleo
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
      • Whole30
    • Meal Type
      • Breakfast + Brunch
      • Dinner
      • Lunch
      • Soups, Stews, + Chilis Too
      • Vegetables, Sides + Salads
      • Smoothies + Beverages
      • Dessert
      • Snacks + Appetizers
  • COOKBOOKS
    • Good Food Cookbook
    • Real Food Every Day
  • Podcast
    • Episodes
  • About
    • Meet Michelle
    • Food Philosophy
    • Michelle This Month
  • Resources
    • Discounts
    • Shop
    • Cooking Staples
    • Better Beauty
  • Contact
    • Work with Me
    • Contact

Kid-Approved Chicken Salad & Back-to-School with Simple Mills

Yessss! I can officially say it’s Back-to-School season. I have one already back and one on the way to her final year of preschool next week. Truly, before I had kids I never quite understood the back-to-school hoopla moms everywhere celebrated. Let’s just say I get it now. I like to think of it as a celebration of the return of my sanity rather than a celebration of the children being out of the house… It sounds a little more positive.

Who am I kidding?! How many snacks I made, fights I broke up over Legos pieces, and complaints I endured I’m really not sure. I lost count at week one. So with that, I send you children off to school to learn something valuable and be perfectly behaved for you teacher, because they always are. Why is that exactly?

However, with the return of school means the return of packing school lunches. If your house is anything like mine in the mornings (and my guess is it is), it gets a little chaotic. Trying to get a 4 and 6 year old dressed, fed and out the door while trying to remember all of their forms, homework, library books, etc. is no small feat. Therefore I try to keep my school lunches as simple and sweet as possible.

A quick peek onto Pinterest for school lunch inspiration will no doubt fill your computer screen with Frozen sandwich castles, Pokemon meatballs, and a rendition of Van Gough’s the Starry night constructed of kale, celery and squash blossoms. Sooo, that’s not exactly me. Don’t get me wrong, I very much appreciate that others have such creativeness and time management skills at their disposal. It’s just not one of my strengths.

Simplemillslunchbox

With that being said, I DO value putting together a healthy lunch that will fuel my kids through the day and keep them full. I like having things in the fridge prepped and ready to go so that in the mornings I can open it up and drop stuff into their lunch boxes. Typically I always include one protein, one fruit, one veggie, something crunchy and starchy, and one or two snacks that are usually dried fruit or nuts. Sometimes I’ll throw in some organic dairy or a snack bar of some sort. And if they’re rreeeallly lucky a little piece of chocolate.

My kids will gobble up chicken or tuna salad so I often make a large batch and use it through the week. It’s such a great way to get proteins and healthy fats into their little tummies. I recommend using my Whole Smiths’ Whole Roasted Chicken and 30-Second Olive Oil Mayonnaise. This is the recipe that I use that the kiddos love the most. Personally I like to add some chopped onions, garlic or capers but they always complain about that. So this chicken salad is totally kid AND adult approved which makes it great for work lunches too. And seriously… save time and make yourself a large batch ahead of time, you will thank yourself.

A simple easy-to-make chicken salad that kids and grown ups alike will love. Great for school or work lunches. Paleo, gluten-free and Whole30.

So let’s get to my favorite part, the Simple Mills crackers! First off, I personally love them so much that it’s hard to part with them but as a dutiful mom I do. I cannot state enough how much I ADORE these crackers and how clean they are. You can check out the full list of ingredients right on their website HERE. I feel zero guilt giving them to my kids in their lunches or for snacks. If you look at most commercially produced crackers the ingredient list leaves MUCH to be desired as they are loaded to the brim with additives and unnatural ingredients. Even crackers labeled just as “gluten-free” have a ton of the same junk added to them.

I’ve been sending Simple Mills’ crackers off to school with Camryn to eat with her chicken salad all week and she hasn’t complained once. (And trust me, she leaves behind what she doesn’t like in a warm, mushy, pile for me to clean out of her lunch box if she’s unhappy.) In fact, she has devoured them. Tegan, my preschooler, who doesn’t go back until next week, has been enjoying them as well at home. In fact, she’s gotten clever and has started making “cracker sandwiches” by putting some chicken salad between two crackers. I haven’t once had to say, “Eat your lunch please”.

A simple easy-to-make chicken salad that kids and grown ups alike will love. Great for school or work lunches. Paleo, gluten-free and Whole30.

Simple Mills makes four varieties of their crackers, Fine Ground Sea Salt, Farmhouse Cheddar, Rosemary and Sea Salt, and Sun-dried Tomato & Basil. My kids have personally eaten and loved all of them and my husband and I took a box of the Rosemary and Sea Salt with us last month when we went wine tasting. I think it’s safe to say they’re a hit all around.

Make sure to check out the Simple Mills’ website and your local Whole Foods to find their products!

A simple easy-to-make chicken salad that kids and grown ups alike will love. Great for school or work lunches. Paleo, gluten-free and Whole30.
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4 from 1 vote

Kid-Approved Chicken Salad & Back-to-School with Simple Mills

A simple easy-to-make chicken salad that kids and grown ups alike with love. Great for school or work lunches. Paleo, gluten-free and Whole30.
Prep Time5 mins
Total Time5 mins
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Kid-Friendly, Paleo
Servings: 4
Author: the Whole Smiths

Ingredients

  • 3 C. chopped chicken
  • 1/2 C. homemade mayo
  • 1 Tbsp. dijon mustard
  • 1/2 C. chopped celery
  • 1 Tbsp. chopped dill
  • 2 Tbsp. dill pickle relish

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a large bowl and combine well
  • Serve with your favorite crackers, stuffed into a bell pepper or over a bed of spinach
did you make this recipe?Tag @thewholesmiths on Instagram

the whole smithsChicken Salad Pinterest Graphic

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Note: I only work with companies and products that I feel passionately about and that align with the Whole Smiths’ views and that this post contains sponsored content. While I am compensated for the work I do, my opinions and bad jokes are always 100% my own.

you might also like

  • Heirloom Tomato Salad
  • spatchcocked chicken with lemons + olives
  • Chicken Pesto Wrap
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Real Food Every Day Book

available now

my new cookbook

  • 100 simple recipes designed to keep things easy in the kitchen
  • Health and wholesome, family-friendly recipes labeled for your dietary needs
  • Chapters such as 30-Minute Meals, 5-Ingrediends or Less and Meal Prepping

take a peek

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Victoria says

    September 8, 2016 at 11:58 am

    Hello~
    I found you by way of Lindsay Bakes. Thank you for this recommendation. I’m a major label reader and always interested finding the latest & “cleanest” products. I’ll also check out the Rootz Nutrition protein powder as well.

    Thank you again.
    Victoria

    Whatmomsmustknow dot com

    Reply
  2. Stephanie says

    September 15, 2016 at 2:34 am

    I would love to know where the pictured “bento box” you are using as a lunch box is from? Thanks

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      January 31, 2017 at 4:55 am

      Its a Planet Box 🙂

      Reply
      • Michelle says

        February 22, 2017 at 4:40 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply

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Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the internet, I’m Michelle and welcome to the Whole Smiths. These days I’m a mother to two smiley girls, a happy wife to one fantastic dude and we live in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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I know... Sweet potatoes and chocolate in a CHILI? I know... Sweet potatoes and chocolate in a CHILI?! It sounds wild.  But it works! And it’s amazing.  And you know what else? One of y’all entered it into a chili cook off and IT WON!  Sooo, maybe you should make it? It *is*chili weather after all...  Recipe at the link in my profile for ya. ✌🏼  https://www.thewholesmiths.com/sweet-potato-chocolate-chili/
Seriously though! Let’s have a stinky convo, h Seriously though!  Let’s have a stinky convo, huh?  As soon as I started cleaning up my food perspective, cleaner personal care products came into my world as well.  I didn’t even really think twice about it before but those worlds tend to collide. So here I am today not only mindful of what I put INTO my body (food) but the stuff I’m putting ONTO my body (products).  Deodorant was the first thing I swapped as the ingredients and effects of traditional anti-perspirants were most alarming to me.  But I was suuuuuuuper hesitant. I was not a person who rarely sweated. I was! In workouts or just through the day. I even carries a travel anti-perspirant in my purse during the day.  And yeah, that end of day weird smell of anti-perspirant “powder fresh” scent mixed with whatever was goin on in my body was... not good. You KNOW what I’m talking about!  So I was reeeeeeally hesitant about switching to cleaner products.  But it really was the best thing ever. It took a some time, I’m not going to lie. It took time to fond the right ones that didn’t irritant my skin and ones that... actually worked!  Today I use Beautycounter’s newly released refillable deodorants as well as Stank Stop from @fatco. I use both and honestly it pretty much comes down to which scent I’m favoring that day, that dictates my choice.  They both work fab for me and don’t leave stains on my clothing, smell nice and don’t irritate my skin.  And here’s what else, I do not sweat NEARLY as much as I used to. I was worried I would be a sweaty pig to put it lightly. But after time, my body adjusted and it’s really not even a problem. And no smell. It works!  And here’s the thing... WE ARE SUPPOSED TO SWEAT PEOPLE! So when we wear anti-perspirant I can imagine that throws off our natural balance.  So if you’ve been hesitant, give it a try!  I linked to the Beautycounter deo in my bio and you can visit @fatco to try theirs out.  Ask any questions in the comments and I’ll get to them for you.  God bless the day I am talk about my body odor (or now lack thereof!) in a public forum. 🙄🥴  https://www.beautycounter.com/michellesmith3?goto=/clean-deo
Unh, ahh Sweet Potato ...Hash. An oldie but good Unh, ahh Sweet Potato ...Hash.  An oldie but goodie.  One of my first recipes to “go viral” was this Sweet Potato Hash. With good reason, it’s so freaking good!  I made it multiple times a week in the early days of this website and it’s kinda trailed off for no good reason.  Time to bring it back.  I’m whipping up a batch tomorrow to use through the week, it reheats perfectly. Just make the hash ahead of time and fry an egg to throw on top day of.  Recipe at the link in my profile. Double the bath and you’re be good to go on breakfasts for the week.  https://www.thewholesmiths.com/bacon-sweet-potato-hash/
🚨SYPB🚨 That’s Save Your Pickle Brine for 🚨SYPB🚨  That’s Save Your Pickle Brine for those of you that are out of the loop.  Then you can make these Pickle Brined Crispy Chicken Thighs and thank me later.  Recipe at the link in my profile. ✌🏼  https://www.thewholesmiths.com/dill-pickle-brined-crispy-chicken/
BRAND NEW RECIPE Pickle Brined Crispy Chicken Y BRAND NEW RECIPE  Pickle Brined Crispy Chicken  Yep. That crispy skin, that pickle-briney goodness, who *doesn’t* love a juicy thigh right up in their face?  That may be a bit intense of a description for chicken... But damn, are these some good chicken thighs.  Recipe at the link in my bio. Save that pickle brine friends!  www.thewholesmiths.com
Bay Areaaaaaa! 🙌🏼 I’m putting together a Bay Areaaaaaa! 🙌🏼  I’m putting together a local, virtual event to support local businesses here in town and I’d love you to attend!  I wanted to put together an event that didn’t *feel* virtual and had some other common components we could enjoy together.  So not only will your ticket include a SIGNED copy of my new book, Real Food Every Day, but you’ll also receive a bottle of wine from @mcgrailvineyards and an awesome cheese / charcuterie box from @charmingfigcatering to enjoy during the demo. Pick up will be at McGrail the day of the event.  All books will be supplied by local indie bookstore, @townecenterbks .  Join us for a fun evening, tag your friends, share this post and let’s join together as community to support our community. 💛  Tickets available at the link in my profile!  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/real-food-everyday-virtual-event-tickets-134461001475  Thank you to our friends at @lovelivermore for their support of this event!  Additional pickup details and Zoom link will be emailed in the days leading up to the event.  @livermoredowntown @cityoflivermore @livermores_latest @livermorevalleywinecountry  #livermore #downtownlivermore @livermorechamber
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