Ingredients You Will Need
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast chopped into small cubes
- 1 large red apple diced into small pieces
- 1 large green apple diced into small pieces
- Half cup dried cranberries
- Half cup chopped celery
- Quarter cup red onion finely minced
- Half cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Half teaspoon salt
- Half teaspoon black pepper
- Half cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Step by Step Method
Start by preparing your chicken which is the most important part of this high protein salad. You can use leftover roasted chicken or boil some chicken breasts until they are fully cooked through and easy to cut. Once the chicken is cool enough to touch you should use a sharp knife to chop it into small bite sized cubes so that every spoonful of salad has a good amount of protein in it. Put all of the chopped chicken into a very large mixing bowl where you will have plenty of room to stir everything together later without making a mess on your counter.
Next you need to wash your apples very well under cool water to remove any dirt or wax from the skin. Keep the skin on the apples because it adds a lot of beautiful color and extra fiber to your meal which is good for your stomach. Dice the red and green apples into small squares that are about the same size as your chicken pieces so that the texture is consistent throughout the dish. Add the diced apples into the large bowl along with the chicken and then toss in the dried cranberries and the finely chopped celery for that extra crunch.
Now it is time to add the flavor by putting in the finely minced red onion which gives a little bit of a spicy bite to balance the sweetness of the fruit. If you do not like raw onion you can use a little bit less or soak the onion in cold water for a few minutes before adding it to take away some of the sharp sting. After that you should sprinkle in your chopped walnuts or pecans which provide a nice earthy flavor and healthy fats that make the salad feel more satisfying. Make sure the nuts are chopped well so they are not too big compared to the other ingredients in the bowl.
In a separate small bowl you will create the creamy dressing that makes this salad so special and tasty. Mix the plain Greek yogurt with the light mayonnaise until the mixture is very smooth and has no lumps left in it. The Greek yogurt is a secret trick because it adds even more protein while keeping the fat content lower than traditional chicken salads that use only heavy mayo. Stir in the honey for a touch of sweetness plus the lemon juice to give it a bright citrus tang that prevents the apples from turning brown too quickly.
Season your dressing by adding the salt and black pepper along with the garlic powder to give it a savory depth of flavor. Whisk the dressing one more time until all the spices are evenly distributed through the creamy base. Pour the dressing over the chicken and fruit mixture in the large bowl and use a big spoon or a spatula to fold everything together gently. You want to make sure that every single piece of chicken and every bit of apple is coated in that delicious creamy sauce so that the flavor is perfect in every bite.
Once everything is mixed well you should taste a small spoonful to see if it needs more salt or perhaps a little more honey depending on your personal preference. It is usually best to cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator for at least thirty minutes before you serve it. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld together and the chicken to absorb the moisture from the dressing which makes the whole dish much more flavorful and refreshing. When you are ready to eat you can serve it on a bed of lettuce or simply enjoy it straight from the bowl with a fork.
