Chicken Salad with Quick-Pickled Apples: A Flavorful Twist
A simple twist that brings sweet-tart crunch and creamy richness to everyday meals.
Chicken Salad with Quick-Pickled Apples: An Irresistible Upgrade
For anyone looking to elevate a classic chicken salad, this version offers a delightful play of flavors and textures. Quick-pickled apples bring zest and crunch, while toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and whole grain mustard take this dish far beyond ordinary. Whether served on sandwich bread or heaped onto crisp apple slices, this salad is destined to be your new favorite lunch or picnic staple.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Salad
- Flavor-packed: Tangy, sweet, and creamy notes create a balanced and memorable bite.
- Texture variety: You get crunchy apples and pecans, chewy cranberries, and tender chicken in each forkful.
- Easy to prep: The quick-pickle method for apples is speedy. The salad comes together in minutes with cooked chicken.
- Versatile: Delicious on bread, salad greens, or simply spooned onto more apple slices.
- Perfect for entertaining: Makes a great centerpiece for brunches, picnics, or meal prep.
Ingredients: What You’ll Need
For the Quick-Pickled Apples
- 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 Tbsp whole grain mustard
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 cups chopped Envy apples (about 2 apples; any crisp, sweet-tart variety can substitute)
For the Chicken Salad
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 Tbsp whole grain Dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp reserved pickling liquid
- 2 tsp chopped tarragon (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 cups chopped cooked chicken (rotisserie, poached, or roasted)
- 1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- Pickled apples (from above)
To Serve
- Thinly sliced fresh Envy apple rounds (cored, for gluten-free or lighter serving option)
- Sandwich bread (your choice: hearty white, whole wheat, or sourdough)
- Arugula or mixed greens (optional, adds a peppery note)
Step-by-Step Directions
1. Quick-Pickle the Apples
- Combine vinegar, honey, mustard, and salt in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave mixture until very hot, about 45 seconds.
- Stir in the chopped apples. Let stand 10 minutes to infuse flavors and soften ever so slightly.
- Drain the apples, reserving 2 tablespoons of the pickling liquid for the salad’s dressing.
- Set pickled apples aside.
2. Make the Chicken Salad Base
- In a large bowl, combine:
- Mayonnaise
- Sour cream
- Whole grain Dijon mustard
- Reserved pickling liquid
- Chopped tarragon
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Whisk these together until smooth and well-mixed.
3. Add Chicken and Mix-ins
- To the dressing, add:
- Chopped cooked chicken
- Toasted pecans
- Chopped celery
- Chopped red onion
- Dried cranberries
- Pickled apples
- Stir gently but thoroughly until everything is coated and evenly distributed.
4. Taste and Adjust
- Taste for seasoning. Add a pinch more salt, pepper, or tarragon to your liking.
- Let the salad chill for 15–30 minutes for flavors to meld best (optional, but recommended).
5. Serve and Enjoy
- For a snack or lighter meal: Spoon the salad onto apple rounds and top with a pinch of tarragon.
- For sandwiches: Layer salad with arugula on bread.
- For salads or entertaining: Serve in lettuce cups, over mixed greens, or as a festive appetizer.
Ingredient Insights & Substitution Tips
- Apples: Envy apples are sweet and crisp, perfect for pickling and salads. Substitute with Honeycrisp, Gala, or Pink Lady if preferred.
- Chicken: Rotisserie chicken saves time, but any cooked chicken breast or thigh (poached, roasted, or grilled) works well.
- Pecans: Almonds or walnuts can be swapped in for pecans. Toast for extra flavor.
- Cranberries: Dried cherries or golden raisins bring a nice sweet-tart touch if cranberries aren’t available.
- Tarragon: Brings subtle licorice notes. Try fresh parsley or dill for a different herbal spin.
Table: Core Ingredients and Their Roles
| Ingredient | Purpose | Possible Substitutes |
|---|---|---|
| Envy apples | Crunch and brightness, pickled flavor | Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Gala apples |
| Chicken | Main protein, hearty base | Turkey, rotisserie chicken, poached chicken |
| Pecans | Rich crunch, nutty contrast | Walnuts, almonds |
| Dried cranberries | Sweet-tart chewiness, pops of flavor | Dried cherries, golden raisins |
| Tarragon | Herbal freshness | Dill, parsley |
What others are reading
Serving Suggestions
This salad is as flexible as it is flavorful. Try these serving ideas:
- Classic sandwich: Pile salad onto toasted sandwich bread with a layer of fresh arugula.
- Elegant appetizer: Spoon onto apple rounds or crackers and garnish with fresh herbs.
- Salad bowl: Serve over mixed greens for a gluten-free, protein-packed lunch.
- Lettuce cups: Fill crisp butter lettuce leaves for a refreshing low-carb meal.
- Picnic wraps: Wrap in a flour tortilla with extra veggies for a handheld lunch.
Storage Tips
- Store the prepared salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Mix-ins like nuts and celery hold their crunch best if added just before serving.
- The pickled apples can be made up to a day in advance.
Make-Ahead and Meal Prep Notes
- Make the chicken and apples ahead: To save time, prep chicken and pickle apples up to a day before assembling the salad.
- For sandwiches on-the-go: Pack salad and bread separately, then assemble when ready to eat to keep bread from getting soggy.
- Double the recipe for easy meal prep lunches throughout the week.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken?
A: Yes, rotisserie chicken is perfect for this recipe and cuts down prep time significantly.
Q: How long do the pickled apples need to sit?
A: Just 10 minutes in the hot vinegar-honey mixture is enough to infuse flavor and maintain crunch.
Q: Is there a dairy-free version?
A: Swap the mayo and sour cream for vegan or dairy-free alternatives, such as avocado-based mayo and coconut yogurt.
Q: What bread pairs best for sandwiches?
A: Hearty sandwich bread such as sourdough, whole wheat, or rustic white bread pairs beautifully and holds up well to the moist salad.
Q: Can I add grapes or other fruits?
A: Absolutely! Sliced grapes or chopped pears make delicious additions or alternatives to the pickled apples for a classic twist.
Additional Chicken Salad Variations to Try
- Classic Chicken Salad: Skip the pickled apples. Use halved grapes and slivered almonds with fresh dill and celery.
- Cowgirl Chicken Salad: A Tex-Mex spin with black beans, roasted corn, barbecue sauce, and a sprinkle of cheese.
- Curried Chicken Salad: Add curry powder, golden raisins, cilantro, and toasted cashews for international flair.
- Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad: Add crispy bacon bits, ranch seasoning, and green onions for a savory, smoky twist.
Expert Tips for the Best Chicken Salad
- Use cool, cooked chicken: Warm chicken can make the salad watery and the dressing separate. Chill before mixing.
- Toast your pecans: Toasting nuts deepens their flavor and keeps them crunchy in the salad.
- Don’t overdress: Add dressing gradually; you can always add more, but you can’t take it out if it’s too much.
- Let it sit: Allow time for the flavors to blend; even 15 minutes in the fridge can make a difference.
- Chop ingredients uniformly: Even-sized pieces mean every bite is balanced.
Nutrition (per serving, approximate)
- Calories: 370
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 14g (from apples, cranberries, and honey)
- Values vary by serving size and exact ingredients used.
Printable Recipe Card
Chicken Salad with Quick-Pickled Apples
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Cook Time: 10 min (pickling only)
- Serves: 6
Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 Tbsp whole grain mustard
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 cups chopped Envy apples
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 Tbsp whole grain Dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp reserved pickling liquid
- 2 tsp chopped tarragon
- 1 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
Directions:
- Combine vinegar, honey, mustard, and salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until hot, stir in apples, and let stand 10 minutes. Drain and reserve 2 Tbsp pickling liquid.
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, reserved pickling liquid, tarragon, salt, and pepper. Add chicken, pecans, celery, onion, cranberries, and pickled apples. Mix gently to combine.
- Chill to meld flavors if desired. Serve on apple slices, on a sandwich, or over greens. Garnish with extra tarragon.
More Recipe Inspiration
- Try Grilled Shrimp Alfredo Pizza for a summery dinner party.
- Experiment with Easy Homemade Blackberry Jam on breakfast toast.
- Serve Quick Pickled Radishes as a tangy topping for tacos and salads.
- Make Zucchini Fritters for a snack or brunch side.
- Satisfy sweet cravings with a Classic Crowd-Pleaser BLT Bite as a party appetizer.
References
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a44784785/chicken-salad-with-quick-pickled-apples-recipe/
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a9697/chicken-salad-the-way-i-like-it/
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/g65793343/chicken-salad-recipes/
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/meals-menus/g35785500/recipes-using-rotisserie-chicken/
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Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.
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