Curried Apple Chicken Salad

🕒 Prep: 20 min
🔥 Cook:
🍽 Serves: 8

Looking for a unique twist on the traditional chicken salad? This Curried Apple Chicken Salad is a delightful mix of savory and sweet flavors, perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner. It's a refreshing change that might just become your new favorite go-to salad.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy to make with pre-cooked chicken.
  • Perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy.
  • Great for meal prep and stays fresh for days.
  • Adds a pop of flavor to your regular meal rotation.

Ingredients

2 lbs cooked chicken breast, shredded
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp curry powder
1 large apple, diced
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup almonds, slivered
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup raisins

Step-by-step Instructions

Start by grabbing a large mixing bowl. You'll want plenty of room to stir everything together without making a mess. Add the mayonnaise, curry powder, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until you see a smooth, golden dressing. The curry powder should be well-distributed throughout the mayonnaise.

Next, introduce the shredded chicken to the bowl, followed by the diced apple, celery, red onion, and raisins. Stir these ingredients gently, ensuring every piece is coated with the flavorful curry dressing. You want an even distribution of the apple and raisins so that each bite has that sweet zing.

Once everything is mixed, sprinkle the slivered almonds over the salad. Use a folding motion to incorporate them gently — you don’t want to crush these delicate slivers. It’s these almonds that add a delightful crunch to every bite.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This resting period allows the flavors to meld beautifully, enhancing the overall taste.

Tips & Tricks

  • If you’re in a hurry, using a rotisserie chicken can be a real time-saver.
  • Toast the almonds in a dry skillet for a few minutes for extra flavor.
  • For a creamier texture, try mixing in a little Greek yogurt with the mayo.

Serving Suggestions

This salad is versatile enough to stand alone, but here are a few ways to enjoy it: serve it in a sandwich or wrap with some leafy greens, spoon it onto a bed of mixed salad greens for a light meal, or pair it with pita bread and hummus for a Mediterranean-inspired meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, this salad can be made a day in advance. Just give it a stir before serving.
What type of apple works best?
A crisp, sweet apple like Fuji or Gala works great in this recipe.
Can I use a different nut instead of almonds?
Sure! Pecans or walnuts are excellent alternatives.

Ingredients Explained

The star ingredient here is chicken breast, providing a lean protein base that’s tender and juicy once shredded. The mayonnaise combines with curry powder to create a creamy, spicy dressing that ties everything together. The apple adds a fresh crunch and natural sweetness, while celery gives the salad a crisp texture. Red onion offers a sharp, pungent contrast, and almonds introduce a nutty flavor and additional crunch. A sprinkle of salt and black pepper enhances all these flavors. Lemon juice brightens the salad, and raisins add a chewy sweetness that complements the curry beautifully.

Simplified Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, curry powder, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper, and mix until well blended.
2. Add the shredded chicken, diced apple, celery, red onion, and raisins to the bowl, stirring gently to coat all ingredients with the curry dressing.
3. Sprinkle the slivered almonds over the salad and fold them in gently.
4. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

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