This Bright, Bold Chicken Salad Is What Chicken Salad Was Always Meant to Be
theSkimm
There are two types of people in this world: Those who love chicken salad, and those we don’t wish to associate with. If you’re also the former, meet Plays Well With Butter’s Zingy Herbed Chicken Salad — which isn’t your childhood cafeteria’s version (this one uses minimal mayo and zero grapes). Ready in 15 minutes, the no-cook recipe combines shredded rotisserie chicken, a bright Greek yogurt dressing, fistfuls of herbs, and all the briny, crunchy things (capers, cornichons, pepperoncini). Make a big batch and eat it in sandwiches or lettuce wraps, on crackers, or from the container at midnight — we won’t judge. Consider that a Chicken Salad Enthusiasts Coalition™ promise.
The Time Commitment: About 15 minutes.
Key Tips: Rotisserie chicken is the move here — but if yours is bland, dry, or just sad, Jess Larson (aka Plays Well With Butter) suggests poaching your own chicken breasts instead. And to give your chicken salad an extra kick, add splashes of pepperoncini brine to the mix.
Other Takes: Leftover pepperoncini? Lucky you. To use up that jar, try…
Grilled Chicken With Pepperoncini Garlic Butter. In which hummus is piled high with marinated chicken, a tomato-cucumber salad, and an outrageously good sauce — for a weeknight dinner that one fan gave a “20 out of 10.”
Peach & Pepperoncini Steak Salad. Sure, juicy peaches, punchy pepperoncini, and tender steak may seem like an unexpected pairing — but it’s also the sweet-spicy-savory combo you didn’t know you needed. Speaking from experience.
Pizza Salad. As if a pepperoni pizza in salad form wasn’t already earth-shattering, this one’s topped with a grated tomato vinaigrette, torn mozz, and salty pepperoni breadcrumbs. Nobel Committee, your move.
Take What You Can by Naima Coster
theSkimm
Former study abroad girls, assemble. Naima Coster’s Take What You Can opens in 2004, when Val and Milly first meet in France as the only Black students in their study-abroad program. The two bond over beaches and baguettes — and Helene, an older woman who becomes a mother figure to the girls, each grieving their own mom for very different reasons. Years later, both friends are pregnant, and Milly — now a successful influencer — convinces Val, a skilled but struggling journalist, to move from North Carolina to NYC so they can raise their daughters together. But as they navigate having kids and an unresolved rift from their time in France, the question isn’t whether they can pick up where they left off — it's whether a friendship built on who they were can survive who they've become. We asked Coster a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…
Q: What’s one thing you can’t stop listening to?
Coster: Phoebe Bridgers’s live rendition of “Lost Boys” on The Tonight Show. The sweet little musicians playing along helped me fall in love with the song.
Q: What’s one unpopular opinion you have?
Coster: Drip coffee can be just as good as French press, pour-over, espresso — all the fancier brewing methods.
Q: What’s one recipe everyone should make?
Coster: Catherine Newman’s cottage cheese pancakes. They taste like blintzes, and my kids literally cheer whenever I say I’m making them. They eat them with jam and powdered sugar.
PS: The one book Coster says has “everything”? Find out here.
Spain’s Most Underrated City Has Flamenco, Tapas, and Zero Chill (Complimentary)
theSkimm
No disrespect to Madrid or Barcelona, but if you haven’t visited Seville, you haven’t done Spain right. The orange-tree-lined capital of Andalusia, the country’s southernmost region, Seville delivers quintessential Spain: transcendent flamenco, buzzy tapas bars, nail-biting bullfights, and mandatory siestas — all on a smaller, somewhat less crowded scale. But it’s also been home to Romans, Moors, and Sephardic Jews over the centuries, as evident in ruins, architecture, and old neighborhoods that reflect all three. Oh, and did we mention there are more churros than one person could ever eat?
🥓 Tapas in Seville? Not optional. Classics include carillada (braised pork cheeks), espinacas con garbanzos (stewed spinach with chickpeas), and pavía de bacalao (fried cod) — all of which you’ll find at El Rinconcillo, believed by many to be the city’s oldest tapas bar, where jamón legs hang from wooden beams and crowds huddle around sherry-barrel tables. For something more inventive, try Restaurante Eslava for honey-glazed ribs or an aged cheese ice cream that’s not to be believed.
💃 Apologies to tapas, but flamenco might be Seville’s real claim to fame. Visit Museo del Baile Flamenco for a primer on the history and evolution of the art form, before experiencing the rat-a-tat rhythm at spots across the city: Las Setas is a traditional tablao with cabaret-style shows, while Peña Flamenca Torres Macarena is a local favorite for its intimate, off-the-beaten-path performances. You can even go a step further by taking a class in flamenco dancing, guitar, clapping, or singing at Taller Flamenco.
👩🎨 Once a haven for artisans, flamenco dancers, and bullfighters, the Triana neighborhood still pulses with creative energy — especially around Calle Antillano Campos, the city’s unofficial ceramics hub. Start at Centro Cerámica Triana, an old factory turned museum that traces the area’s ceramic production legacy and traditions, including the colorful azulejo tiles that cover the city. Then pop into Cerámica Rocío-Triana to purchase pieces from a husband-and-wife team. Or, decorate your own during a tile-painting class at Barro Azul.
🏰 The best way to soak up the city is by wandering. No matter your route, stop at the Royal Alcázar, one of the oldest European palaces still in use, with fountain-filled patios, lush gardens, and ornate pavilions (GoT fans, you’ll recognize it). Then head to Seville Cathedral, a massive Gothic masterpiece where the panoramic views from its bell tower are well worth the climb up 30-some ramps. And don’t skip Plaza de España — sail down the canal in a rented rowboat, catch an impromptu flamenco show, and people-watch like there’s no tomorrow.
🚂 Seville has plenty to see, but it’s also a great home base for day trips. At the top of the list? Granada. There, you can meander the winding streets of the Albaicín (the medieval Moorish quarter), relax at Hammam al Ándalus, and explore the Alhambra, a spectacular hilltop fortress that dates back to the 13th century and is widely believed to be one of the world’s greatest castles — if not buildings. Just be sure to book your tickets in advance.
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We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was:
Out of all my coworkers, I’m the only one without kids — which often results in more being put on my plate. How can I address this with my boss?
“Rather than assuming that you’re being treated unfairly because you’re childless, identify patterns. Think of specific times you were asked to stay late, cover projects, or take on extra responsibilities because others had family obligations — then bring those examples to a private conversation with your manager. Use language that emphasizes fairness and sustainability, not resentment. Something like: ‘I’ve noticed I’m often asked to take on additional assignments or cover for others. I’m always willing to help, but lately those extra responsibilities have become more common. I’d love your help finding a way to distribute the workload more evenly.’
Then, when someone asks you to cover, set boundaries directly. You can say, ‘I’m happy to help today, but I won’t be able to cover every Friday.’ Or, ‘I can take this on, but I can’t do it every time — I have my own deadlines.’ Avoid snide comments like: ‘Just because I don’t have kids doesn’t mean I don’t have a life.’ The most professional approach is to advocate for equitable expectations, not equal personal circumstances. A well-managed workplace should respect everyone’s time, regardless of family status.”
FEATURED EXPERT:
Jacqueline Whitmore
Business etiquette expert and founder of The Protocol School of Palm Beach
Unleash your competitive side with today's games and puzzles. Go wild.
This Bright, Bold Chicken Salad Is What Chicken Salad Was Always Meant to Be
theSkimm
There are two types of people in this world: Those who love chicken salad, and those we don’t wish to associate with. If you’re also the former, meet Plays Well With Butter’s Zingy Herbed Chicken Salad — which isn’t your childhood cafeteria’s version (this one uses minimal mayo and zero grapes). Ready in 15 minutes, the no-cook recipe combines shredded rotisserie chicken, a bright Greek yogurt dressing, fistfuls of herbs, and all the briny, crunchy things (capers, cornichons, pepperoncini). Make a big batch and eat it in sandwiches or lettuce wraps, on crackers, or from the container at midnight — we won’t judge. Consider that a Chicken Salad Enthusiasts Coalition™ promise.
The Time Commitment: About 15 minutes.
Key Tips: Rotisserie chicken is the move here — but if yours is bland, dry, or just sad, Jess Larson (aka Plays Well With Butter) suggests poaching your own chicken breasts instead. And to give your chicken salad an extra kick, add splashes of pepperoncini brine to the mix.
Other Takes: Leftover pepperoncini? Lucky you. To use up that jar, try…
Grilled Chicken With Pepperoncini Garlic Butter. In which hummus is piled high with marinated chicken, a tomato-cucumber salad, and an outrageously good sauce — for a weeknight dinner that one fan gave a “20 out of 10.”
Peach & Pepperoncini Steak Salad. Sure, juicy peaches, punchy pepperoncini, and tender steak may seem like an unexpected pairing — but it’s also the sweet-spicy-savory combo you didn’t know you needed. Speaking from experience.
Pizza Salad. As if a pepperoni pizza in salad form wasn’t already earth-shattering, this one’s topped with a grated tomato vinaigrette, torn mozz, and salty pepperoni breadcrumbs. Nobel Committee, your move.
Take What You Can by Naima Coster
theSkimm
Former study abroad girls, assemble. Naima Coster’s Take What You Can opens in 2004, when Val and Milly first meet in France as the only Black students in their study-abroad program. The two bond over beaches and baguettes — and Helene, an older woman who becomes a mother figure to the girls, each grieving their own mom for very different reasons. Years later, both friends are pregnant, and Milly — now a successful influencer — convinces Val, a skilled but struggling journalist, to move from North Carolina to NYC so they can raise their daughters together. But as they navigate having kids and an unresolved rift from their time in France, the question isn’t whether they can pick up where they left off — it's whether a friendship built on who they were can survive who they've become. We asked Coster a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…
Q: What’s one thing you can’t stop listening to?
Coster: Phoebe Bridgers’s live rendition of “Lost Boys” on The Tonight Show. The sweet little musicians playing along helped me fall in love with the song.
Q: What’s one unpopular opinion you have?
Coster: Drip coffee can be just as good as French press, pour-over, espresso — all the fancier brewing methods.
Q: What’s one recipe everyone should make?
Coster: Catherine Newman’s cottage cheese pancakes. They taste like blintzes, and my kids literally cheer whenever I say I’m making them. They eat them with jam and powdered sugar.
PS: The one book Coster says has “everything”? Find out here.
Spain’s Most Underrated City Has Flamenco, Tapas, and Zero Chill (Complimentary)
theSkimm
No disrespect to Madrid or Barcelona, but if you haven’t visited Seville, you haven’t done Spain right. The orange-tree-lined capital of Andalusia, the country’s southernmost region, Seville delivers quintessential Spain: transcendent flamenco, buzzy tapas bars, nail-biting bullfights, and mandatory siestas — all on a smaller, somewhat less crowded scale. But it’s also been home to Romans, Moors, and Sephardic Jews over the centuries, as evident in ruins, architecture, and old neighborhoods that reflect all three. Oh, and did we mention there are more churros than one person could ever eat?
🥓 Tapas in Seville? Not optional. Classics include carillada (braised pork cheeks), espinacas con garbanzos (stewed spinach with chickpeas), and pavía de bacalao (fried cod) — all of which you’ll find at El Rinconcillo, believed by many to be the city’s oldest tapas bar, where jamón legs hang from wooden beams and crowds huddle around sherry-barrel tables. For something more inventive, try Restaurante Eslava for honey-glazed ribs or an aged cheese ice cream that’s not to be believed.
💃 Apologies to tapas, but flamenco might be Seville’s real claim to fame. Visit Museo del Baile Flamenco for a primer on the history and evolution of the art form, before experiencing the rat-a-tat rhythm at spots across the city: Las Setas is a traditional tablao with cabaret-style shows, while Peña Flamenca Torres Macarena is a local favorite for its intimate, off-the-beaten-path performances. You can even go a step further by taking a class in flamenco dancing, guitar, clapping, or singing at Taller Flamenco.
👩🎨 Once a haven for artisans, flamenco dancers, and bullfighters, the Triana neighborhood still pulses with creative energy — especially around Calle Antillano Campos, the city’s unofficial ceramics hub. Start at Centro Cerámica Triana, an old factory turned museum that traces the area’s ceramic production legacy and traditions, including the colorful azulejo tiles that cover the city. Then pop into Cerámica Rocío-Triana to purchase pieces from a husband-and-wife team. Or, decorate your own during a tile-painting class at Barro Azul.
🏰 The best way to soak up the city is by wandering. No matter your route, stop at the Royal Alcázar, one of the oldest European palaces still in use, with fountain-filled patios, lush gardens, and ornate pavilions (GoT fans, you’ll recognize it). Then head to Seville Cathedral, a massive Gothic masterpiece where the panoramic views from its bell tower are well worth the climb up 30-some ramps. And don’t skip Plaza de España — sail down the canal in a rented rowboat, catch an impromptu flamenco show, and people-watch like there’s no tomorrow.
🚂 Seville has plenty to see, but it’s also a great home base for day trips. At the top of the list? Granada. There, you can meander the winding streets of the Albaicín (the medieval Moorish quarter), relax at Hammam al Ándalus, and explore the Alhambra, a spectacular hilltop fortress that dates back to the 13th century and is widely believed to be one of the world’s greatest castles — if not buildings. Just be sure to book your tickets in advance.
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