Chicken Salad with Apples and Cranberries

I’m type of obsessive about hen salad these days. It’s straightforward to organize, tremendous filling, and the right chilly meal throughout these scorching summer time months. I particularly love this hen salad with apples as a result of it’s filled with candy and crunchy apples, sweet-tart dried cranberries, and a easy selfmade dressing that has a brilliant contemporary taste because of the addition of yogurt. And as traditional, there are many methods you possibly can add to or swap out components on this hen salad, so maintain studying for concepts! 

Initially posted 10-10-2011, up to date 8-5-2021.

What Sort of Cooked Hen to Use

I cooked up some contemporary hen breasts simply earlier than making my hen salad (see the step-by-step images beneath the recipe), however rotisserie hen is a very handy choice. If utilizing rotisserie hen, merely pull the meat from the bone, take away the pores and skin, and provides the meat a tough chop. You’ll want about 3 cups of chopped hen for this recipe. You can too use canned hen breast, if wanted, though that choice can have the least fascinating texture and taste of the three choices.

What Else Can I Add to My Hen Salad?

Hen salad is so versatile. Nuts pair rather well with the flavors of this salad, so you possibly can attempt including some almonds or chopped pecans. Finely diced celery can be good for some further crunch. And in case you don’t have dried cranberries, golden raisins or contemporary grapes additionally work rather well on this recipe.

How Lengthy Does This Hen Salad Final?

Hen salad is normally good within the fridge for 3-4 days, however it could actually range relying on the freshness of your hen and the situations inside your fridge. This salad shouldn’t be frozen.

The best way to Serve Hen Salad with Apples

You may eat hen salad a number of other ways. The most typical is as a hen salad sandwich and you are able to do this in your favourite bread, on a croissant (like within the images), or in a wrap. Hen salad can be a terrific topper for a inexperienced salad, or you possibly can serve it with crackers and a scrumptious dip (you may need to chop the hen and apples a little bit smaller in that case).

Love hen salad? You may additionally like Curry Hen Salad or Broccoli Cheddar Hen Salad.

The best way to Make Hen Salad with Apples – Step By Step Pictures

You’ll want about 3 cups chopped cooked hen for this recipe, so in case you’re not utilizing rotisserie hen, you’ll need to prepare dinner some hen first. I used two hen breasts (about 1.3 lbs. whole). I filleted every breast in half to make two thinner items, which helps them prepare dinner extra rapidly and evenly. Then I simply cooked them in a skillet with a little bit oil over medium warmth till they had been golden brown on all sides and cooked to an inner temperature of 165ºF.

Enable the hen to chill for 5-10 minutes earlier than chopping it into small items.

Chop one apple into small items (about 1.5 cups). You’ll in all probability need to use a wide range of apple that’s candy or sweet-tart, like a Fuji or Gala. Additionally finely cube about ¼ cup crimson onion.

Add the chopped hen, diced apple, diced crimson onion, and ¼ cup dried cranberries to a bowl.

To make the salad dressing, mix ⅓ cup mayonnaise, ⅓ cup plain yogurt, 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 Tbsp crimson wine vinegar, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp freshly cracked pepper. Stir till evenly mixed and clean.

Pour the ready dressing over prime of the salad components.

Stir till the salad components are mixed and coated with dressing. Serve instantly, or refrigerate till able to eat.