Are you tired of boring, bland salads that leave you unsatisfied? Get ready to revolutionize your lunch game with this mouthwatering Apple Cherry Chicken Salad that combines sweet, tangy, and savory flavors in one incredible dish! This isn't just another salad – it's a culinary adventure that promises to transform your meal from ordinary to extraordinary, packed with fresh ingredients and a perfect balance of textures that will have you craving more with every single bite.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 apple, diced
- 1/2 cup cherries, pitted and halved
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Mixed greens for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by shredding it into bite-sized pieces. If not already cooked, poach or grill chicken breasts until fully cooked through, then let cool and shred.
- Wash and dice the apple into small, uniform cubes. To prevent browning, you can lightly toss the apple pieces with a bit of lemon juice.
- Carefully pit the cherries and cut them in half. If using fresh cherries, remove the stems and seeds. If using dried cherries, you can skip this step.
- Roughly chop the walnuts into smaller pieces. For enhanced flavor, you can lightly toast the walnuts in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes before chopping.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, diced apples, halved cherries, and chopped walnuts.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt and honey until smooth and well combined.
- Pour the yogurt-honey mixture over the chicken and fruit mixture. Gently fold all ingredients together to ensure even coating.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the amount according to your preference.
- Refrigerate the salad for 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
- When ready to serve, arrange a bed of mixed greens on plates and top with the chicken salad mixture.
- Optional: Garnish with additional chopped walnuts or a light drizzle of honey for extra presentation and flavor.
Tips
- Chicken Preparation: For the most tender chicken, poach or grill it just until fully cooked, then let it cool completely before shredding to maintain moisture.
- Prevent Apple Browning: Toss diced apples in a little lemon juice to keep them fresh and crisp, maintaining both color and flavor.
- Enhance Nut Flavor: Lightly toasting walnuts in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes before chopping will bring out their rich, nutty essence and add depth to the salad.
- Flavor Melding: Refrigerating the salad for 10-15 minutes before serving allows the yogurt-honey dressing to blend beautifully with the other ingredients.
- Serving Suggestion: For an elegant presentation, serve on a bed of mixed greens and consider a light drizzle of honey or extra chopped walnuts as a finishing touch.Pro Tip: This salad tastes even better the next day, so don't be afraid to make it in advance for a quick and delicious meal prep option!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 85mg
