Chicken Apple Luck Salad (Printable Version)

Protein-rich salad combining chicken, apples, black-eyed peas, and mixed greens with a tangy honey-mustard dressing.

# What You Need:

→ Protein & Legumes

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
02 - 1 1/2 cups cooked black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed

→ Produce

03 - 2 medium Fuji or Honeycrisp apples, cored and diced
04 - 1 cup celery, finely sliced
05 - 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, baby kale)
07 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

→ Dressing

08 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
09 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
10 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
11 - 1 tablespoon honey
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Optional Garnishes

14 - 1/4 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
15 - 2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese (omit for dairy-free)

# How To Make:

01 - Whisk olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified. Set aside.
02 - In a large salad bowl, mix cooked chicken, black-eyed peas, diced apples, celery, red onion, and parsley.
03 - Incorporate mixed salad greens and toss gently to combine all components evenly.
04 - Drizzle prepared dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated.
05 - Top with toasted pecans or walnuts and feta cheese if desired. Serve immediately.

# Cooking Tips:

01 -
  • It uses up leftover chicken without feeling like leftovers.
  • The apples add a crisp sweetness that wakes up your palate after too many rich meals.
  • You get protein, crunch, and greens in one bowl, so it counts as a real meal.
  • The honey-mustard dressing is tangy enough to make you want another forkful.
02 -
  • Don't add the dressing until you're ready to eat, or the greens will wilt into sad mush within twenty minutes.
  • If your apples start browning before you assemble, toss them with a squeeze of lemon juice.
  • Warm chicken works better than cold, it softens the onion slightly and makes the whole salad feel more cohesive.
03 -
  • Toast the nuts in a dry pan until they smell nutty and darken slightly, burnt nuts ruin the whole bowl.
  • Use a mix of sweet and tart apples if you have them, the contrast makes each bite more interesting.
  • If the dressing tastes flat, add a pinch of salt or a tiny splash more vinegar, it should make your mouth water slightly.
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