Hi khudson!
I see this is a rather old request but I came across it when I searched for "Best Chicken Salad ." Up came your request with no response :o( Well, I was curious so I googled it, and there was nutritional information for the salad but no recipe. So I googled "California Chicken Salad" up came several versions, all somewhat similar but with minor differences. I am going to post the first one to come up as a basic recipe, then I will post several variations. I do hope you see this and can cobble together something close to what you want. And remember, if you do, please post as you've got my curiousity up and I'd really like to try it too!
Lorraine
CALIFORNIA CHICKEN SALAD
3 cups cooked chicken, cut in small pieces
1 cup small white grapes, cut in 1/2
1 cup celery, chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup heavy cream, whipped
Combine chicken, grapes and celery; mix lightly with mayonnaise to which whipped cream has been added. Chill thoroughly. Serve on lettuce and decorate with strips of pimiento or pimiento cut with heart-shaped garnish cutter. Slices of hard cooked egg or sliced stuffed olive may also be used to garnish.
VARIATION I:
Keep the chicken and grapes as specified above; use 1-1/2 cups diced celery. Add: 1/2 cup slivered toasted almonds, 3/4 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. white pepper. Do not use the whipped cream.
VARIATION II:
Keep the chicken, grapes and celery as specified above. Add: 1 avocado, peeled and diced, 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp. salt, 3/4 cup chopped walnuts, and a pinch of paprika. To the 1/2 cup mayonnaise, add 1/2 cup sour cream, omitting the whipped cream entirely.
VARIATION III:
Use 1-1/2 lb. cooked chicken or turkey, chopped and 1 cup seedless red grapes. Add 1/4 cup sliced red onion rings and 1 avocado, peeled and chopped. For salad dressing combine 1/2 cup Poppy Seed Dressing (La Martinique suggested) and 1/4 cup plain yogurt, Do not use celery, mayonnaise, or cream.
VERSION IV:
Use 8 oz. cooked chicken breasts which have been shredded. Combine 1-1/3 cup low fat cottage cheese, 1 can drained mandarin orange segments, 1/2 cup diced celery, 2 Tbsp. light mayonnaise and 1/8 tsp. white pepper. Add chicken to this mixture, tossing lightly.
VERSION V:
Keep the chicken and grapes as specified in the basic recipe; omit the celery and add 1/3 cup toasted almond slices. Dress the salad with an Herb Mayonniase: Combine 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 Tbsp. white wine or tarragon vinegar, 3 Tbsp. chopped parsley, 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh tarragon, 1/4 tsp. pepper and up to 2 Tbsp. milk, if needed, to loosen the mayonnaise.