Chicken Apple Salad

Sweet, savory, and delicious!

Chicken Apple Salad

Salads don't have to be boring, and my Chicken Apple Salad is proof of that. This vibrant, refreshing dish combines savory chicken with sweet apples, tangy blue cheese crumbles, and the crunch of roasted pecans, together with a delicious honey mustard vinaigrette. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner, this salad delivers an exciting mix of flavors and textures. Want to know what makes this salad so easy? All you have to do is buy a rotisserie chicken or use leftover chicken.

Start with a base of fresh mixed greens like spinach and baby lettuce. You can also use a combination of romaine, spinach, and arugula for a balance of crispness and a hint of peppery bite. You can use any combination you choose. Buy your favorite mix of salad greens at the grocery store. Have fun! These greens provide the foundation for the star ingredients: tender chicken and crisp, sweet apples. I love using a mix of tart Granny Smith apples and sweeter varieties like Gala or Honeycrisp, which bring a bright, refreshing crunch to every bite. The blue cheese adds a creamy, slightly pungent flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the apples, while the roasted pecans bring a crunch to the dish.

This Chicken Apple Salad is as versatile as it is delicious. It's perfect for meal prepping, making an easy weekday lunch, or serving at a dinner party. Whether buying a rotisserie chicken, using leftover chicken or grilling it fresh, this salad feels elegant and cozy. The combination of sweet, savory, tangy, and crunchy elements makes every bite an experience.

This Chicken Apple Salad is a reminder that salads can be more than just a side dish. It's a balanced, nutrient-packed meal that will impress and satisfy, no matter the occasion. Grab your favorite greens, sprinkle on those blue cheese crumbles, and drizzle on that honey mustard vinaigrette - you're in for a delicious experience.

Chicken Apple Salad drizzled with creamy Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

INGREDIENTS:

• 3/4 c Organic Avocado Oil

• 2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar

• 3 tbsp Mustard

• 3 tbsp Honey

• (5) Garlic Cloves

• A pinch of salt

• A pinch of cracked black pepper

• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes

• 3 tsp light brown sugar

• 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

Chicken Apple Salad

•  (1 lb.) Salad Mix

• (1 small head) Radicchio

• 1 Rotisserie Chicken (skin removed)

• (1c) chopped pecans (toasted)

• (5 oz) blue cheese crumbles

• 4 Apples (Thinly Sliced or in Chunks) (I used 2 Granny Smith, 2 Gala) (use your favorite)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

1. Put all the vinaigrette ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

Chicken Apple Salad

1. Toast the chopped pecans in the oven at 350 degrees for 3-5 minutes.

2. Shred or chop the rotisserie chicken.

3. Slice the apples into thin slices.

4. Put the mixed greens in your dish of choice. Top with thinly sliced radicchio.

5. Top with the remaining toppings, including toasted pecans.

6. Toss with honey mustard vinaigrette when ready to serve.

7. Enjoy!

Notes: Feel free to use more or less of any ingredient listed.

Chicken Apple Salad with tender chicken, roasted pecans, creamy blue cheese crumbles, crisp apple slices, over a bed of mixed greens and radicchio, drizzled with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette.