Best 5 Better Than Deli Chicken Salad W Fruit And Nuts Recipes

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**Better-Than-Deli Chicken Salad with Fruit and Nuts: A Symphony of Flavors and Textures**

Indulge in a culinary delight that surpasses the classic deli chicken salad with this elevated recipe. Crafted with tender, succulent chicken, a medley of crisp apples, sweet grapes, and crunchy walnuts, this salad offers an explosion of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. Marinated in a delectable blend of mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and a touch of honey, the chicken takes center stage, while the fruit and nuts add a symphony of sweetness, tartness, and a satisfying crunch. Served on a bed of crisp lettuce or nestled between slices of crusty bread, this chicken salad promises to be a hit at any gathering, picnic, or lunch break.

Let's cook with our recipes!

OUR FAVORITE CHICKEN SALAD



Our Favorite Chicken Salad image

Our favorite chicken salad has a few critical components: tender chicken, crunch, a little sweetness, and it needs to be easy to make. This recipe checks all the boxes. We have shared our basic recipe as well as a few suggestions for making it extra special. We highly recommend the toasted sesame oil - it adds a lovely umami flavor to the dressing. A little goes a long way, so only add a few dashes (not more than a 1/4 teaspoon). When we have the time, we poach chicken breasts for this salad. Here's our detailed recipe for how we poach chicken.

Provided by Adam and Joanne Gallagher

Categories     Salad, Dinner

Time 10m

Yield Makes about 8 (1/2) cup servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 cups (480 grams) chopped or shredded cooked chicken, see our recipe for perfect poached chicken
1 cup (120 grams) chopped celery
4 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs like chives, parsley, and basil
1/4 cup (40 grams) lightly toasted nuts like sliced almonds, walnuts, pecans or pine nuts
1/4 cup (40 grams) dried fruit like golden raisins, cranberries, dates, or blueberries
1/2 cup (110 grams) mayonnaise, see our homemade mayo recipe
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
2 to 4 small dashes toasted sesame oil (scant 1/4 teaspoon), optional
1 to 2 teaspoons jam, optional

Steps:

  • Combine the chicken, celery, herbs, nuts, dried fruit, and fresh fruit (if using) in a medium mixing bowl.
  • In another small bowl, stir the mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, salt, and the black pepper together. Taste then add the optional ingredients. Toasted sesame oil adds umami (a little goes a long way), and the jam sweetens the dressing up a bit.
  • Toss the dressing with the salad. Taste then adjust with more salt and pepper. Store, covered tightly, in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1/2 cup, Calories 197, Fat 13.4g, SaturatedFat 2.1g, Cholesterol 47.1mg, Sodium 269.9mg, Carbohydrate 5.2g, Fiber 0.9g, Sugar 3.2g, Protein 13.9g

BETTER THAN DELI CHICKEN SALAD W/ FRUIT AND NUTS!



Better than Deli Chicken Salad w/ Fruit and Nuts! image

I don't know about everyone else, but I just can't go by the deli counter in my local grocery store without stopping by and getting a container of their chicken salad with fruit and nuts. Who needs crackers or breads when you can eat it by the spoonful straight from the container! I finally decided it was time to master this...

Provided by Nicole H.

Categories     Salads

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 9

3/4 c mayonnaise, light (i use hellman's!)
3/4 c whipped dressing (i use miracle whip!)
1/2 c cranberries, dried (i use craisins!)
1/2 c golden raisins
1 Tbsp dijon mustard
1 Tbsp honey
1/4 c chopped walnuts
1/4 c almond slivers
2 lb cooked, shredded chicken breast

Steps:

  • 1. Cook chicken breast in a shallow pan filled with water. (You can also add some diced onion into the water at this point if you enjoy the onion flavoring in your chicken salad... I do this and it's wonderful, and yet still passes as not having onions to those that just don't like onion crunchiness in their chicken salad!) After chicken is fully cooked (approximately 20 minutes, turning to ensure all sides are cooked evenly) use a fork to shred your chicken breast into long strips. Place in the fridge to cool.
  • 2. In a small bowl, add your 1/2 cup of golden raisins. Pour water into the bowl to cover all of the raisins. Let them sit while you prepare the rest of the recipe. (This makes your raisins plump and juicy... this is a must-do step for the perfect soft, moist fruit!)
  • 3. In a large bowl, mix together 3/4 cup of real mayo, 3/4 cup of whipped dressing, 1 TB of dijon mustard, and 2 tb of honey. Beat well.
  • 4. Strain the water off of your raisins and dry them on paper towels.
  • 5. Add raisins, cranberries, walnuts, and almonds to your mayo mixture.
  • 6. Add shredded chicken breast to your mayo mixture.
  • 7. Serve chilled; on bread, croissants, or crackers!

EASY FRUITED CHICKEN SALAD



Easy Fruited Chicken Salad image

This is a recipe I discovered by accident. While trying to make the Betty Crocker® chicken salad, I discovered I didn't have all the spices. '...quick, what can I substitute...' This has been a family favorite ever since.

Provided by jo1527

Categories     Salad

Time 1h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 apple, cored and diced
½ cup seedless red grapes, halved
½ cup chopped toasted pecans
½ teaspoon apple pie spice, or to taste
¾ cup mayonnaise
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cooked and diced

Steps:

  • In a bowl, lightly mix the apple, grapes, pecans, apple pie spice, and mayonnaise together until thoroughly combined; stir in the chicken breast meat. Chill until cold.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 284.1 calories, Carbohydrate 5.8 g, Cholesterol 44.4 mg, Fat 22.9 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 14.7 g, SaturatedFat 3.3 g, Sodium 147.5 mg, Sugar 4 g

FRUIT & NUT CHICKEN SALAD



Fruit & Nut Chicken Salad image

From The Gadsden Times (online edition) by Mary Lucille Jordan. Can be made with poached or roasted chicken or turkey. Dried cranberries can be substituted for the raisins -- diced celery can be substituted for the onions! Chill if desired, or serve immediately. -------- The salad pictured is made with raisins, both celery and green onions to fill the 1/3 cup measure, (not 1/3 cup of each), and about twice the amount of toasted almonds as called for in the recipe -- the almonds were so good I couldn't resist doubling the amount! It is a nice combination of flavors -- NOTE: salt and pepper can be added to taste.

Provided by KerfuffleUponWincle

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 2h20m

Yield 10 1/2 cup servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

3/4 cup raisins or 3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup apple juice
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
3 cups diced cooked chicken or 3 cups cooked turkey
1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions (or both!) or 1/3 cup diced celery (or both!)
1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted
salt (to taste)
pepper (to taste)

Steps:

  • Combine dried fruit and apple juice in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. Bring to a simmer and stir. Refrigerate 15 minutes.
  • Mix mayonnaise and mustard in a medium bowl. Add chicken (or turkey), green onions (or celery) and toasted almonds. Mix well. Stir cooled fruit into chicken mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste. Chill if desired, or serve immediately.
  • Serve over salad greens as a main dish salad, or in pita pockets or on multi-grain bread as a sandwich filling.
  • Cook time is recommended chill time!
  • NOTE: 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts = 2 cups cooked, cubed chicken, or a 3 pound whole chicken yields about 4 1/2 cups cooked/diced.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 175, Fat 8.6, SaturatedFat 1.5, Cholesterol 34.5, Sodium 134.2, Carbohydrate 13.5, Fiber 1, Sugar 8.2, Protein 11.8

BETTER THAN SEX FRUIT SALAD



Better Than Sex Fruit Salad image

Well, this fruit salad recipe is pretty darn good! It's nice and refreshing - great for the warmer weather. I loved the addition of cherry pie filling. This got rave reviews from the entire Kitchen Crew.

Provided by Lisa Mersereau

Categories     Fruit Salads

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 can(s) fruit cocktail drained (we like chunky tropical) drained, 15 oz.
1 can(s) crushed pineapple (small can, drained, 8 oz.)
1 can(s) cherry pie filling, 21 oz.
2 bananas sliced
1 can(s) sweetened condensed milk, 14 oz.
8 oz sour cream
1 pkg Cool Whip, 8 oz. (thawed)

Steps:

  • 1. Mix together Cool Whip, sweetened condensed milk and sour cream.
  • 2. Add the fruit cocktail, pineapple, cherry pie filling and bananas.
  • 3. Cover and refrigerate for at least four hours.
  • 4. Serve.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. Fresh, free-range chicken, crisp celery, juicy grapes, and crunchy walnuts will make all the difference.
  • Don't overcook the chicken. Overcooked chicken will be dry and tough. Cook it just until it is cooked through, then remove it from the heat.
  • Let the chicken cool completely before shredding it. This will help to prevent the chicken from becoming stringy.
  • Use a sharp knife to shred the chicken. A dull knife will tear the chicken and make it tough.
  • Don't overmix the chicken salad. Overmixing will make the chicken salad mushy.
  • Chill the chicken salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will help the flavors to meld and the chicken salad to firm up.
  • Serve the chicken salad on a bed of lettuce or in a croissant for a delicious and easy meal.

Conclusion:

This Better-Than-Deli Chicken Salad with Fruit and Nuts recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. It is also a great way to use up leftover chicken. The combination of chicken, fruit, nuts, and mayonnaise is a classic for a reason. It is a flavor combination that is both satisfying and refreshing. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed.

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