Description
Savory chicken salad blends crisp apples and sweet grapes in a luscious creamy dressing. Classic American comfort meets fresh Mediterranean charm, inviting you to savor each delightful, balanced bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 cups (473 ml) chicken, cooked and chopped or shredded
Fruits and Vegetables:
- 1 medium apple, chopped (Honeycrisp or Gala recommended)
- 1 cup (237 ml) red or green grapes, halved
- ½ cup (118 ml) celery, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) red onion, finely diced (optional)
Dressing and Extras:
- ½ cup (118 ml) mayonnaise or Greek yogurt (or a mix of both)
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon juice
- ¼ cup (59 ml) chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the flavor-enhancing dressing by whisking together creamy mayonnaise, tangy Dijon mustard, bright lemon juice, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper in a compact mixing vessel.
- Dice the succulent chicken into bite-sized morsels, ensuring uniform pieces for consistent texture and taste distribution.
- Chop crisp apples and sweet grapes into uniform chunks, maintaining a delightful balance of fruity elements in the salad.
- Finely slice crunchy celery and delicate red onion to add a refreshing and sharp undertone to the mixture.
- Roughly chop selected nuts to introduce a satisfying crunch and nutty depth to the salad’s overall profile.
- Gently combine all prepared ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl, allowing each component to interact and meld flavors.
- Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad, carefully folding and tossing to ensure every morsel is elegantly coated.
- For optimal flavor melding, refrigerate the salad for 15-20 minutes, allowing the ingredients to harmonize and develop a more complex taste profile.
- Serve the chilled salad nestled in crisp lettuce cups, layered between soft sandwich bread, or accompanied by crunchy crackers for a versatile dining experience.
Notes
- Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-packed version that reduces calories without compromising creamy texture.
- Toast nuts briefly before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a delightful crunch that elevates the salad’s overall taste profile.
- Consider using rotisserie chicken for a time-saving shortcut that adds rich, pre-seasoned meat and reduces preparation complexity.
- Adjust fruit quantities based on personal preference, ensuring apples and grapes are crisp and sweet to balance the savory chicken and tangy dressing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg