Curried Chicken and Apple Salad with Pecans and Cranberries

Easy and delicious are two wonderful words in the kitchen! This salad is arguably better made ahead of time for a great weekday lunch, or paired with crackers and veggies for an easy appetizer!

Nature’s Candy. Sugar. There is a reason many people have a sweet tooth, and there is no denying that a little sugar is a welcomed treat despite any dietary regime! That being said, there are many ways to add a sweet element to your dishes without reaching for the sugar jar. Apples are one of nature’s best desserts, just waiting to be highlighted for what they can offer. The sauce that holds this salad together combines the tart from lemon and vinegar to balance out the sweet flavor the apple brings, creating a mixture that dances with each bite. Added bonus, the lemon helps keep the apples fresh!

Oh but that crunch! Let’s be real…while we appreciated a nice packed lunch, no one’s childhood self jumps for joy at a mushy sandwich of white bread and goopy salad-is that egg or chicken hidden in all that Miracle Whip?! Nope, we have graduated, have a little grocery money of our own, and are on the way to mastering the culinary task of the packed lunch-classy, adult style! One of the key components to this challenge is texture. To mix up the large amount of soft ingredients, be generous with your celery and apples, giving not only great flavor, but that bite you are craving. If making ahead, store your toasted pecans in a container at room temperature, so when you sprinkle them on top, they are the perfect added crunch!

Struggling with Sunday meal prep for the week? Check out more of these easy salads to make ahead:

Shredded Brussel Sprout and Kale Salad with a Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette

Slivered Sugar Snap Peas with a Honey Goat Cheese Vinaigrette

Mustard on Mustard Salad with Pickled Radish and Arugula

I love to hear from you! Do you have any great meal prep ideas or feedback on these? Comment below!

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Curried Chicken and Apple Salad with Pecans and Cranberries

Hannah

A perfect meal to make ahead of time! A great combination of flavors, delicious as a sandwich, wrap, salad, or dip!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Lunch, Salad

Cuisine French, Indian, Mediterranean

Servings 2

Equipment

• Kitchen knife
• Mixing bowl
• Baking sheet or Skillet

Ingredients

  

• 1/2 cup Mayonaisse If not keto, can substitute yogurt for the mayo and sour cream!
• 1/2 cup Sour Cream
• 1 tsp Curry Powder
• 1/4 tsp Onion Powder
• 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
• Salt and Pepper
• 1 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1/4 squeezed Lemon
• 2 cups Cubed Chicken Breast, precooked
• 1 cup Cubed Red Apple
• 2 stalks Celery, diced
• 1/4 cup Dried Cranberries
• 1/2 cup Pecan Pieces
• 4 handfuls Mixed Salad Greens (optional)
• 1 medium Cucumber (optional)

Instructions

 

• Using either the oven or a skillet, toast the pecans until lightly browned and fragrant. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine mayo, sour cream (yogurt if using), lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, onion and garlic powders, curry, salt and pepper, and stir well. Adjust seasoning to taste preference (I like to err on the heavy side with curry powder).
• Add in cubed chicken, apple, celery, and cranberries (reserve some fruit for garnish) and mix until all is coated.
• To serve, I plate a helping of greens with slices of apples and cucumber, and a generous portion of the chicken salad. Top with toasted pecans and additional cranberries and enjoy!

  Variation: use this as you would any chicken salad-in a lettuce wrap, with bread for a sandwich, in a tomato cup, or with large crackers/veggies as a dip!

Keyword Apple, Chicken, Curry, Healthy, Keto, Low-carb, Make Ahead