Chicken And Apple Recipes To Try For Dinner
Chicken and apples make the perfect pair in these perfect-for-fall dinners. If you think apples are only for sweet treats, think again. The versatile fruit stands out in savory recipes, where it can add subtle sweetness. In these delicious chicken and apple recipes, you’ll find something for everyone: Whether you’re looking for a hearty supper to enjoy on a chilly fall night, a refreshing seasonal salad, or something else, these ideas are sure to please everyone at your table.
“Onions are simmered in apple cider and chicken stock before being baked with chicken thighs, apples, and cream,” recipe creator fabeveryday says of this satisfying meal.
This hearty dinner is the perfect way to welcome fall. “This is very simple, but very good,” according to reviewer earwigsmom. “Comfort food!”
Sage-seasoned chicken cutlets are cooked on a bed of herb-seasoned stuffing mix, apples, dried cherries, and pecans.
Everyone at your table will love this 30-minute meal. Chicken tenderloins flavored with gochujang pair perfectly with sweet apple chunks and diced bell peppers.
Chicken breasts are stuffed with a flavorful mixture of apple chunks, Cheddar cheese, and Italian-style bread crumbs. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color.
Chicken burgers are topped with grilled Granny Smith apples and onions, then smothered in a “secret sauce” of mayonnaise, maple syrup, and Dijon mustard.
Heres What Goes Into Our Apple Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe:
- COOKED CHICKEN. This is a great chance to use leftover cooked chicken. Something simple, like baked, poached, or rotisserie chicken tends to work better than something highly seasoned . I love shredded chicken breast best.
- DICED APPLES. I love the sweetness and crunch of the apples in this apple cranberry chicken salad recipe. My favorite are Honeycrisp apples, but feel free to swap in your favorite variety.
- TOASTED PECANS. For another tasty bit of crunch, youll mix in some toasted pecans. Toasting your pecans beforehand only takes a few minutes, but really deepens the flavor! Feel free to skip that step if youre short on time!
- CELERY. I love the fresh, crisp crunch of sliced celery. Its lovely here with the apples, pecans, and cranberries. Yum!
- DRIED CRANBERRIES. Sweet and slightly chewy, dried cranberries are like pretty little gems in this apple cranberry chicken salad. I love them!
- A SIMPLE DRESSING. I dress this apple chicken salad with a sort of quick dressing. Its made from mayo, lemon juice, and a little salt and pepper.
Tips For Making Chicken Salad Without Mayo
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How To Cook The Chicken
Youll need about 4 cups of chicken, chopped. This usually amounts to 2 chicken breasts or 4 chicken thighs. Im one of those strange people who likes white meat more than dark meat, so I always use chicken breasts. If you can find boneless and skinless ones at your store, these make everything much easier!
You can also use leftover chicken, especially if youve made a whole roast like this Crispy-Skinned Orange and Sage Roast Chicken. Just remember whatever seasoning/brine you used will be incorporated into your salad flavors too!
Seasoning the Chicken.
If youre cooking chicken fresh for this recipe, season as you wish but keep it fairly simple. Youll be adding in lots of flavor to the salad, so dont over season the chicken. You dont need to worry too much about flavor.
I used a bit of salt, some fresh ground black pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice. I also added a few poppy seeds because they pair so well with apples, mayo, lemon and summer dishes in general!
- Combine in a bowl and toss.
Chef Bobby Flays Twist On Classic Chicken Salad
Salad dressing made from celery, apples, grapes, and walnuts is a classic American dressing with a crunch to it. The dressing is made with mayonnaise , lemon juice, and salt and pepper, and it is a delicious and creamy combination. Combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a medium mixing bowl and toss to combine. Combine the apples, celery, grapes, and walnuts in a mixing bowl after they have all been mixed. The dressing is then served with a fresh garden salad to finish the meal. Bobby Flays chicken salad recipe is a unique take on the classic salad. He uses mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, onion, and celery as ingredients in a large mixing bowl. After seasoning the chicken with salt and pepper, he adds the herbs. If you want to serve it with chicken salad, Chef Bobby Flay suggests topping it with whole grain toast or dressing it with dressing. Chef Bobby Flays Chicken Salad is a delectable dish that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
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A Chicken Salad Even A Red Meat Man Likes
Im excited to share this recipe for apple chicken salad. The reason Im excited is because my husband, Mr. Why-Cant-We-Have-Beef-Tonight, likes to eat this chicken salad when I make it for lunch. This is the man who will literally sigh and make that face in the middle of the grocery store when he asks whats for dinner and I suggest something made with chicken. If my Red Meat Man endorses this chicken salad, that says something.
Apple Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe
In the mood for a classic salad recipe? We’re not talking about the kind of salad with lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers. In this case, we’re talking about the type of salad with a creamy mayo base, chopped veggies, and some sort of protein. If those types of salads really speak to you, then we have the perfect recipe for you! Enter, this apple pecan chicken salad. This wonderful side dish or main course comes complete with chopped Granny Smith apples, pecans, and onions that give it the perfect amount of crunchiness in every single bite. We’d be lying if we pretended as though this wasn’t one of our favorite salad recipes, and once it hits your lips, we have a feeling that you’ll be saying the same.
Recipe developer Catherine Brookes of Blue Sky Eating just put out another slam-dunk meal that is not only aesthetically appealing, but also amazingly delicious. “I love the crunch that this creamy salad has,” Brookes raves. “It’s a combination of ingredients that you might not have otherwise thought to put together, but they go together wonderfully!” Keep scrolling for step-by-step instructions on how to make this yummy dish.
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Chicken Salad With Apples Faq
How do you store chicken salad?I personally think this chicken salad is best served right away because the apples and nuts can get soft the longer they sit in the dressing. However, if you must store, or have leftover chicken salad, store in the refrigerator in an airtight container or a well covered bowl. If you are planning to store the chicken salad for a while, Id suggest mixing the nuts in right before serving as they can get soft the longer they sit in the dressing.
Can you freeze chicken salad?No, I do not recommend freezing this chicken salad. I mean technically you can freeze it, but you will probably be disappointed with how it turns out after thawed.
How long does chicken salad last?As I mentioned above, I think this chicken salad is best served right away or within a few hours but can last a few days in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days. The longer you store it, the softer the apples and nuts will get.
What can I substitute for the mayo?For a no mayo chicken salad, you could substitute plain Greek yogurt or even Miracle Whip if thats more your thing.
What can I substitute for the nuts?You can substitute any type of nuts for the walnuts, but if you dont want any nuts you can omit them entirely or chopped celery would be a nice crunchy alternative.
What can I substitute for the apple?If you dont like apple, you could try substituting a firm pear or even chopped grapes or dried cranberries.
How Do You Serve Chicken Salad
- In a sandwich. This chicken salad works well nestled between a sliced croissant, leftover dinner rolls, or two pieces of sandwich bread.
- In a wrap. Try using a large flatbread, tortilla, or pita pocket for your apple chicken salad.
- As a dip. Thats right you can even serve this chicken salad as a dip with some pita chips.
- On lettuce. I also love serving it with butter lettuce for a lighter option. Or you can use crispy romaine lettuce or iceberg lettuce.
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Why Is My Chicken Salad Watery
Ingredients like celery and apples have water in them. The longer you store them in the salad, the more water will seep out of them and into your salad.
To prevent your chicken salad from becoming too runny, I suggest making sure the apples and celery are thoroughly dry. I dry the produce after I wash it, but I also go back and squeeze the chopped produce gently in a paper towel right before adding it to the salad.
Our Chicken Waldorf Salad Is An Awesome Creation And Heres Why:
WALDORF WORKS
Much of the beauty of this legendary salad is about the unexpected collection of ingredients used to create it. Sure, it has moist and tender chicken, but how about the fresh fruit component? We love the use of red grapes and Granny Smith apples to create a tangy sweetness youll enjoy with every bite.
The salad also has a nice bit of crunch from raw celery, plus nuttiness from the chopped walnuts. One suggestion on the nuts is to make sure theyre freshly shelled they taste almost buttery when they are.
MIX IT UP!
Once all of the ingredients are prepared and assembled in your mixing bowl, we like to add something unexpected: freshly chopped mint. This gives the salad an extra note of brightness and keeps the salad very refreshing.
We also like to amp up the flavour of the mayonnaise with a hint of Dijon and lemon juice. This adds a zesty tang to the mix. Expect a really fresh taste from this beautiful salad.
SERVICE PLEASE
I can just imagine how this salad was presented back in the day white-gloved servers passing chilled plates of CHICKEN WALDORF SALAD out to New Yorks finest. For us, lets simplify things, shall we? Present the salad with a simple garnish of fresh black pepper, a sprinkle of mint and a few more chopped walnuts.
One last point on service is for all of the vegetarians out there. You can still enjoy this delicious salad without the chicken, replacing it with chopped, roasted cauliflower. We bet youll love it.
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Faq + Tips And Tricks For The Best Apple Cranberry Chicken Salad
PALEO + WHOLE30 NOTES. The only ingredients you need to double-check to keep this cranberry apple chicken salad paleo & whole30 approved are the mayo and cranberries. One paleo mayo option is Primal Kitchen. For the cranberries, look for a naturally-sweetened variety, like these which are sweetened with apple juice. Or, you can use unsweetened dried cherries instead! Serve it on greens, in lettuce leaves, on apple slices, with almond flour crackers or these paleo crackers, or using a grain-free wrap .
SERVING IDEAS: You can absolutely serve my apple cranberry chicken salad on croissants, rolls, toast, or bread, but here are a few other ways to enjoy it:
- ON SLICED APPLES. Turn a clean apple on its side (so the stem is pointed left-to-right instead of up-and-down, and use a sharp knife to make thin slices all the way through the apple, to create a round, almost cracker-like shape. Spoon chicken salad on top and enjoy!
Is Chicken Salad Healthy
Depending on the ingredients , chicken salad can definitely be healthyand a great choice for lunch or dinner. The biggest culprit of making it unhealthy is the mayonnaise and how much you use, since it is high in fats and calories.
How many calories in chicken salad? This particular recipe uses a combination of mayo and plain Greek yogurt and is 411 calories per serving.How many carbs in chicken salad? This recipe weighs in at only 9 carbs per serving.
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What To Serve With Chicken Salad Apples And Walnuts
Serving it alone, you can pair chicken salad with more veggie-heavy salads like this Watercress and Mandarin Orange Salad You could also try a Chicken Salad Sandwich with a Three Bean Pasta Salad.
In the fall, use some extra apples to make these Chorizo and Cornbread Stuffed Apples on the side! And a Brown Butter Butternut Squash Soup always makes a perfect pairing for colder days.
Chicken Waldorf Salad Barefoot Contessa
Chicken Waldorf Salad is a classic dish that is perfect for any occasion. Invented by the legendary Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten, this salad is a delicious combination of diced cooked chicken, tart apples, juicy raisins, crunchy celery and toasted nuts, all tossed in a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing. This dish is incredibly simple to make, yet incredibly satisfying and flavorful the perfect combination for any gathering. Serve it as a main dish, a side salad, or even as a sandwich filling you wont be disappointed!
When I have 30 minutes, I enjoy Barefoot Contessa on Hulu. I always feel the need to make her a meal. I made this delicious salad after watching an episode of Ina Gartens show the other day. There is enough meat and protein in this food to fill it up. Combine 2 cups olive oil, vinegar, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a medium mixing bowl or 2-cup measuring cup. Finely chop the frisee, kale, spinach, raisins, chicken, bacon, roasted nuts, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper into a large serving bowl. Salad should be served with a gentle toss of the dressing and a generous serving of the salad.
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A Classic Chicken Waldorf Salad Famous The World Over
People have been making and raving about this classic recipe for over a hundred years now. First introduced at New Yorks famed Waldorf Astoria Hotel , this recipe for a chicken salad with apples, grapes and walnuts truly stands the test of time.
As with all our posts, we suggest making this fabulous salad using locally sourced ingredients. If those include organic options, even better! We also bet youll be making this salad again and again, so lets cut to the chase: PIN the recipe to your favourite salad board and BOOKMARK it for easy reference.
How To Make It
I find it is best to mix all of the dressing ingredients first, without the chicken, or other chunky vegetables and nuts. The reason for doing this is not only to allow the creamy dressing to mix more evenly but also as the chicken is mixed it tends to break apart into increasingly smaller shreds.
The smaller the shreds, the less creamy the chicken salad will be because there will be more surface area of the chicken mixture that needs to be covered. If you find your chicken salad with apples needs to be creamier for any reason, there is no harm in adding more mayo.
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Can Canned Chicken Be Used In A Waldorf Salad
by Patricia Benksi | Jan 20, 2023 | Salads
Waldorf salad is a classic American dish that has been popularized since the late 1800s. It is a simple salad composed of apples, celery, walnuts and mayonnaise. While the traditional recipe calls for cooked chicken, you may be wondering if you can make a version of this salad using canned chicken instead. The answer is yes, canned chicken can be used in a Waldorf salad, and it can be a great way to quickly and easily make the dish without having to spend time cooking the chicken. This article will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using canned chicken for a Waldorf salad, as well as how to incorporate it into the dish.
Chicken salad is a delicious dish that is commonly made with chicken, celery, apples, walnuts, and a creamy dressing. This restaurant is named after the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City, which served it first. This recipe can be made in a matter of minutes by combining all of the ingredients, and the dressing is rich and creamy. Every bite of this Waldorf chicken salad recipe contains a crunch from the crunch of apples and celery. Grilling chicken breast, canned chicken, or rotisserie chicken will help you cook this recipe. Please consider adding a few red grapes to this recipe if you desire. Youll be surprised how useful they are in a recipe.