Description
A quick and refreshing Chicken Salad with Apples, featuring tender cooked chicken, crisp apples, and a creamy, tangy dressing made with mayonnaise, yogurt, and Dijon mustard. This easy-to-make salad is perfect for a light lunch or meal prep, combining sweet, savory, and tart flavors with a satisfying crunch from dried cranberries and red onion.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped
- 1 apple, chopped (about 1.5 cups)
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Prep the Ingredients: Chop the cooked chicken and apple into bite-sized pieces. Finely dice the red onion to ensure even distribution of flavors in the salad.
- Combine the Salad Base: In a large mixing bowl, add the chopped chicken, apple, red onion, and dried cranberries. This combination provides a balance of savory and sweet elements.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, plain yogurt, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper until smooth and creamy. This dressing adds creaminess and tang to the salad.
- Toss and Mix: Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture in the large bowl. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing, ensuring every bite is flavorful.
- Serve or Chill: Serve the salad immediately for fresh flavors, or refrigerate it to let the flavors meld together. This salad is great for meal prep or enjoying the next day as the taste deepens while chilled.
Notes
- Use crisp apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to add a tart crunch to the salad.
- For a lighter option, substitute mayonnaise with extra yogurt or a low-fat mayo.
- Adjust seasoning with extra salt or pepper according to taste.
- This salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Add toasted nuts (like pecans or walnuts) for extra texture and flavor.
