Cashew Turkey Salad With Honey-Lime Dressing(Or Chicken)
A vibrant, crunchy salad featuring tender turkey or chicken, sweet mandarin oranges, and toasted cashews, all coated in a tangy honey-lime dressing. Perfect for light lunches or gatherings.
Ingredients
- 4 cups cubed, cooked turkey or chicken ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped green onion
- 1 can mandarin oranges, drained ⓘ
- 1 cup cashew nuts ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped celery ⓘ
- romaine lettuce leaves ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon grated lime rind ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard ⓘ
- 4 teaspoons honey ⓘ
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1/4 cup salad oil ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- Mix cooked turkey or chicken, chopped green onion, drained mandarin oranges, cashew nuts, and chopped celery in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together grated lime rind, dry mustard, honey, lime juice, salad oil, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- Line a plate with romaine lettuce leaves.
- Toss the salad ingredients with the dressing until well coated.
- Arrange the salad on the lettuce leaves and serve.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider adding diced apples or grapes for a sweet contrast. If you prefer a nuttier taste, swap the cashews for toasted almonds. For a lighter dressing, you can replace some salad oil with Greek yogurt. This salad is versatile and can also be served with Chicken Bisque for a heartier meal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this salad as a refreshing lunch or light dinner option. It pairs well with a side of Homemade Broccoli Soup for a complete meal. Garnish with additional lime wedges and serve with crusty bread for an enjoyable dining experience.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To keep the lettuce crisp, store the dressing separately and toss just before serving. If reheating any chicken or turkey, do so gently in the microwave to avoid drying it out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cashew Turkey Salad With Honey-Lime Dressing(Or Chicken) contains roughly 1981 calories, with 40g protein, 138g carbohydrates, and 154g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (96% of the Daily Value), iron (85% of the Daily Value), and protein (79% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2132mg per serving (93% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other nuts in this salad?
Yes, you can substitute cashews with other nuts like pecans or walnuts for a different flavor and texture. Just be mindful of allergies, and if using salted nuts, reduce the salt in the recipe accordingly.
Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! This salad can be prepped in advance. Just keep the dressing separate until you're ready to eat to prevent the lettuce from wilting. Store in individual containers for easy grab-and-go lunches.
What can I serve with this salad?
This salad pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes. You might consider serving it alongside grilled chicken or a light soup, such as Chicken Bisque, to create a balanced meal that satisfies.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).