Tara’s Sweet and Chunky Chicken Salad is a delightful twist on the classic dish, boasting a harmonious blend of sweet and savory flavors.
With tender chicken, crisp apples, crunchy celery, and nutty pecans, this salad offers a satisfying crunch in every bite.
Tossed in a creamy dressing with a touch of honey and Dijon mustard, it’s a refreshing and flavorful dish that’s perfect for any occasion.
How Long Will It Take To Prepare?
- Prepare the Chicken: Depending on the method you choose to cook the chicken (boiling, grilling, or baking), this step may take anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes, but hands-on time is minimal.
- Prepare the Ingredients: Dicing the apples, celery, onion and chopping the nuts can be done in around 5 to 10 minutes.
- Make the Dressing: Whisking together the ingredients for the dressing should take no more than 5 minutes.
- Assemble the Salad: Mix the chicken with the prepared ingredients and dressing, which should take around 5 minutes.
- So, in total, you’re looking at approximately 40 to 55 minutes from start to finish, including cooking time for the chicken.
- Yield: 6-8 servings
How Do You Make Tara’s Sweet and Chunky Chicken Salad?
Tara’s Sweet and Chunky Chicken Salad is a delightful twist on the classic chicken salad, featuring a combination of sweet and savory flavors with a satisfyingly chunky texture. Here’s how you can make it:
Essential Ingredients For Tara’s Sweet and Chunky Chicken Salad:
For the Chicken Salad
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
- 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup grapes, halved
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lettuce leaves or bread for serving
For the Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- One tablespoon honey
- One tablespoon of Dijon mustard
- One tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Essential Instructions For The Tara’s Sweet and Chunky Chicken Salad:
Step 1
Prepare the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
Step 2
Combine Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, chopped celery, chopped red onion, halved grapes, dried cranberries or raisins, and chopped walnuts or pecans (if using).
Step 3
Add Dressing
Pour the prepared dressing over the chicken mixture in the bowl.
Step 4
Mix Well
Gently toss all the ingredients together until the chicken and other ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
Step 5
Adjust Seasoning
Taste the chicken salad and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Step 6
Serve
To serve, arrange lettuce leaves on a serving platter or plate. Spoon the sweet and chunky chicken salad onto the lettuce leaves. Alternatively, serve the chicken salad between slices of bread or in a wrap.
Step 7
Garnish
Garnish with additional grapes, cranberries, or nuts, if desired, for added visual appeal.
Step 8
Enjoy
Serve the chicken salad immediately or refrigerate it for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.
Additional Tips For Tara’s Sweet and Chunky Chicken Salad:
- You can customize Tara’s Sweet and Chunky Chicken Salad by adding other ingredients like diced grapes, sliced almonds, or chopped dried apricots for additional sweetness and texture.
- For a lighter version, you can use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise or a combination of both.
- Make sure the chicken is completely cooled before mixing it with the other ingredients to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
- This salad can be served immediately or chilled in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Leftover chicken salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Facts Of Tara’s Sweet and Chunky Chicken Salad
Here’s an approximate nutritional breakdown for Tara’s Sweet and Chunky Chicken Salad per serving, based on a primary dish serving size (assuming four servings):
| Nutrition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 400 calories |
| Total Fat | 25 grams |
| Saturated Fat | 5 grams |
| Cholesterol | 80 milligrams |
| Sodium | 400 milligrams |
| Total Carbohydrates | 20 grams |
| Dietary Fiber | 4 grams |
| Sugars | 15 grams |
| Protein | 30 grams |
These values can vary based on factors such as the specific ingredients used, portion sizes, and any modifications to the recipe.
Conclusion
Tara’s Sweet and Chunky Chicken Salad is a delightful and satisfying dish that blends sweet and savory flavors with a satisfying crunch.
With tender chicken, crisp apples, crunchy celery, and nutty pecans, this salad offers a harmonious balance of textures and flavors.
The creamy dressing, featuring a hint of honey and Dijon mustard, ties everything together beautifully.
Whether enjoyed on its own, as a sandwich filling, or served atop a bed of lettuce, this chicken salad is sure to delight your taste buds.
It’s easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion, making it a versatile addition to your recipe collection.