Healthy Chicken Salad with Apples & Cranberries
Introduction: Embark on a culinary journey with our delectable and nutritious Healthy Chicken Salad featuring the perfect balance of tender cooked chicken, crisp celery, succulent apples, and sweet dried cranberries. This delightful dish is not only a feast for the senses but also a nutritional powerhouse, boasting a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Elevate your dining experience with this recipe that combines the goodness of protein-packed chicken with the refreshing crunch of celery and the natural sweetness of apples and cranberries.
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups chopped cooked chicken
- 3 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 1 cup chopped apple (approximately 1 large, organic Pink Lady apple with peel)
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons Hellman’s light mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Begin by placing the chopped chicken, finely chopped celery, diced apple, and dried cranberries in a mixing bowl. Gently stir to combine, creating a colorful and textured base for your chicken salad. Set aside.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the nonfat plain Greek yogurt, light mayonnaise, and lemon juice until a smooth and creamy dressing is formed.
- Introduce the yogurt-based dressing to the chicken mixture, ensuring an even coating throughout. Stir meticulously to guarantee that every ingredient is enveloped in the luscious dressing.
- For an extra layer of freshness, consider adding chopped parsley to the mix, providing a burst of herbaceous flavor and visual appeal.
- Season the chicken salad with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences, striking the perfect balance of flavors.
Variations: This versatile chicken salad recipe invites creativity and flexibility. Substitute cooked turkey, canned chicken, or canned tuna for a different protein twist. Explore alternative options by adjusting the ratio of Greek yogurt and light mayonnaise or experimenting with various dried fruits to suit your palate.
Serving and Nutrition Information: This Healthy Chicken Salad with Apples and Cranberries offers a satisfying serving size of one cup, providing a mere 220 calories per serving. With a modest 5g of fat, 13g of carbohydrates, and a substantial 28g of protein, this dish is not only flavorful but also nutritionally balanced.
Conclusion: Indulge in the wholesome goodness of our Healthy Chicken Salad with Apples and Cranberries, a culinary masterpiece that effortlessly combines taste and nutrition. Perfect for a light lunch, snack, or as an elegant addition to your gatherings, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your repertoire. Elevate your dining experience with this delightful dish, celebrating the marriage of fresh ingredients and culinary finesse.
Ingredients
- ▢ 2 ½ cups chopped cooked chicken
- ▢ 3 stalks celery, chopped
- ▢ 1 cup chopped apple, about 1 large; I used a Pink Lady and kept the peel because it was organic
- ▢ ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ▢ ½ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- ▢ 2 tablespoons Hellman’s light mayonnaise
- ▢ 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- ▢ 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)
- ▢ Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the chicken, celery, apple and cranberries in a bowl and stir to combine and then set it aside.
- In a small bowl, stir together the yogurt, mayonnaise and lemon juice.
- Add this to the chicken mixture and stir to mix well.
- Stir in the parsley if desired. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Variations:
No chicken? Substitute leftover turkey, canned chicken or canned tuna.
No mayonnaise? Use all plain Greek yogurt instead.
No yogurt? Use all light mayonnaise instead.
No dried cranberries? Most any chopped dried fruit would work.
Serving size: 1 cup
3 *SmartPoins
Nutrition Facts
Healthy Chicken Salad with Apples & Cranberries
Amount Per Serving (1 cup)
3 *SmartPoins
Nutrition Facts
Healthy Chicken Salad with Apples & Cranberries
Amount Per Serving (1 cup)
Calories 220
Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value*
Fat 5g
8%
Carbohydrates 13g
4%
Fiber 2g
8%
Protein 28g