Easy Apple Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Total Time
10 mins
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Servings
5
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Calories
283 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Easy Apple Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe
Description
This chicken salad recipe uses cooked, shredded chicken mixed with finely diced apples and celery for crispness, toasted pecans for nutty flavor, and dried cranberries for a fruity touch. The dressing is a blend of light mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, sugar or alternative sweetener, salt, black pepper, and chopped fresh dill or other herbs, which adds a fresh herbal quality.
The pecans are toasted in a skillet before mixing to enhance their flavor and texture. The salad can be adjusted by seasoning further and adding more mayonnaise or lemon juice to reach the desired creaminess and taste balance. The mixture works well as a sandwich filling on bread such as ciabatta, as a wrap, or served on top of mixed greens or rice cakes for various meal options.
Stored chilled in an airtight container, the chicken salad keeps well for several days. The versatility allows it to be enjoyed in different forms including lettuce wraps, pita stuffing, or alongside chips for dipping, providing adaptable options for lunches or light dinners.
Ingredients
- 4 cups chicken my Basic Shredded Chicken recipe is great for chicken salads!, cooked, chilled, shredded
- 1 cup apple finely diced
- 2 celery finely diced, stalks
- 1/3 cup pecans finely diced
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries reduced-sugar
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise light
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice fresh, 15g
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar or sweetener of choice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 Tbsp dill or any other herbs you have on hand (gives it so much flavor!, fresh, chopped
- ciabatta bread or other bread of choice, for serving
- Condiments of choice optional, for serving
Instructions
- Add the finely diced pecans to a small skillet (toss with oil or cooking spray first if desired), then toast over medium-low heat for 2-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until brown. Watch carefully so they don’t burn! Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the mayo, lemon juice, sweetener, salt, pepper and fresh herbs (if using). Then stir in the chicken, apples, pecans, celery and cranberries.
- Taste and add additional salt, seasonings or mayo as needed to reach desired taste/dressed consistency. Serve as a sandwich, on an open-faced piece of toast, in a tortilla or lettuce wrap, or eat straight up.
Notes
- To toast pecans, toss them with a bit of oil or cooking spray and heat in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring until browned and fragrant.
- Store the chicken salad in an airtight container or covered tightly; it keeps in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.
- Serve over greens like romaine or spring mix, or use as a filling for sandwiches, wraps, or on rice cakes for varied textures.
- Adding condiments or toppings of choice can customize the flavor and presentation of the salad.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 5Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 283 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 heaping cup (159g) | |
| Calories | 283kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 12.9g | 4% |
| Protein | 25.2g | 50% |
| Fat | 14.5g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 2.1g | 11% |
| Fiber | 3.7g | 15% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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