Tara’s Sweet and Chunky Chicken Salad Recipe

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:

1. 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.
2. For a lighter version, you can use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise or a combination of both.
3. Make sure the chicken is completely cooled before mixing it with the other ingredients to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
4. 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.
5. 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):

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.