**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.
OUR FAVORITE CHICKEN SALAD
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
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!
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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