Prep: 15 mins Total: 15 mins
This flavorful salad is well-suited to dietary considerations, making it suitable for those managing diabetes or simply seeking a balanced meal option. The combination of lean protein from the chicken, fiber from the apple, and healthy fats from the walnuts contributes to a well-rounded dish. It’s also a great option for meal prep!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The Perfect Balance of Sweet and Savory: The sweetness of the crisp apples contrasts beautifully with the savory flavor of the tender chicken.
- Quick and Easy to Prepare: Using pre-cooked chicken cuts the mealtime in half. It can be a no-cook recipe — just chop, mix, and enjoy!
- Customizable: This is a versatile recipe. You can serve it as a salad, a hearty sandwich filling, or a topping for crackers. You can also swap out the ingredients depending on your mood —use pears instead of apples or pecans instead of walnuts for a twist.
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped, cooked chicken breast
- 2 stalks of diced celery
- 2 chopped green onions
- 1 finely diced medium apple (Honeycrisp or Jonagold)
- 3 tablespoons chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup light mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup plain, fat-free yogurt
- Juice of half a lemon
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
Combine the Main Ingredients:
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the chopped chicken, diced celery, green onions, diced apple, and chopped walnuts.
Prepare the Dressing:
- Whisk together the light mayonnaise, plain yogurt, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and black pepper until smooth in a separate small bowl.
Serve:
- This versatile salad can be enjoyed in various ways: Serve over fresh lettuce for a light salad, spoon it onto whole-grain bread for a hearty sandwich, or pair it with a whole grain cracker for a delicious snack!
Nutritional Information
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 100
- Fat: 5 g
- Sat Fat: 1 g
- Sodium: 190 mg
- Carbohydrate: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 3 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
SOURCE: Creamy Chicken Apple Salad | American Diabetes Association