Chicken Salad With Fruit
A vibrant chicken salad featuring fresh fruit, crunchy nuts, and creamy dressing, perfect for light lunches, picnics, or family dinners with a sweet and savory flavor profile.
Ingredients
- 4 to 6 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped ⓘ
- 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped ⓘ
- 2 stalks celery, finely chopped ⓘ
- 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish ⓘ
- 1/4 cup green olives, chopped ⓘ
- salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped ⓘ
- 3/4 cup seedless grapes, sliced ⓘ
- 1 Golden Delicious apple, peeled, cored, and diced ⓘ
- 1 cup Miracle Whip or mayonnaise ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine cooked and chopped chicken breasts, chopped hard-boiled eggs, finely chopped celery, sweet pickle relish, chopped green olives, sliced grapes, diced apple, and chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Mix all ingredients thoroughly to combine.
- Add Miracle Whip or mayonnaise gradually until the salad reaches your desired moistness.
- Season with salt, pepper, and sugar to taste.
- Serve immediately or chill before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier texture, consider using Greek yogurt instead of Miracle Whip or mayonnaise. You can add a splash of lemon juice for extra brightness. If you want to boost the flavor, try incorporating diced red onion or a pinch of garlic powder. Feel free to swap out the nuts for sunflower seeds for a nut-free version. This salad is versatile and can easily adapt to your preferences.
Serving Suggestions
This Chicken Salad with Fruit is delightful on its own or served on a bed of mixed greens. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or as a filling for sandwiches. For a refreshing side, consider serving it alongside a light fruit salad or some crispy vegetable sticks. You can also browse more American recipes for additional inspiration.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors will meld over time, making it even tastier. To reheat, warm gently in the microwave, but be careful not to overheat, as it may affect the texture of the chicken and fruits.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Salad With Fruit contains roughly 446 calories, with 10g protein, 50g carbohydrates, and 27g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (43% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (33% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2325mg per serving (101% 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 rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver and adds wonderful flavor to the salad. Just make sure to remove the skin and bones before chopping the meat. It will work perfectly in this dish.
How can I make this salad lower in calories?
To reduce calories, use a light version of Miracle Whip or mayonnaise, or substitute it with Greek yogurt. You can also cut back on the nuts or use less sugar. Incorporating more vegetables, like bell peppers or cucumbers, can add bulk without significantly increasing the calorie count.
What fruits can I add to the salad?
You can get creative with fruit additions! Consider using diced pears, mandarin oranges, or even pineapple for a tropical twist. Just make sure any added fruits complement the overall flavor profile of the salad.
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).