Autumn Apple Appeal: Crunchy Apple Chicken Salad

September 7, 2022 General /FamilyRecipes

Juicy, crunchy, sour, or sweet, apples in autumn are the perfect family treat! Whether you bake them in a pie, slice them for a lunch box snack, or use them for our easy chicken salad, apples pack great nutrition into every delicious bite. One medium apple has just 95 calories and 4 grams of filling fiber, and now that they’re in season, their flavor is at its peak.

Chicken salad is a family favorite and so are crisp, crunchy apples, so we combine the two for this autumn-inspired recipe. Serve it with whole grain crackers, between whole wheat-bread, tucked into a pita pocket, or on top of a green salad.

Crunchy Apple Chicken Salad

MAKES 6 SERVINGS

2 cups finely diced cooked chicken (from 2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves)
1 medium apple, unpeeled and finely diced (about 1¼ cups)
¼ cup finely diced celery
½ cup light mayonnaise
Salt and pepper

Place the chicken, apple, and celery in a medium bowl and stir to combine.
Add the mayonnaise and stir until the chicken mixture is well coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Refrigerate until ready to serve and use within 2 days.

Tip: Most apple varieties work well in this recipe. Choose a crisp Granny Smith apple if your family prefers tart flavors, or go sweet with a Golden or Red Delicious.

Nutrition Information per Serving (1/2 cup): 160 calories, 8g fat (0g saturated), 200mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate, 1g fiber, 15g protein

Choosing & Storing Fresh Apples

Autumn is apple season, and with 7,500 kinds of apples to choose from around the world, there’s a favorite apple out there for everyone. Most apples in the United States are grown in Washington, Michigan and Pennsylvania, but this favorite fall fruit is easy to find wherever you live. To keep autumn apples looking and tasting their best, follow these tips:

HOW TO CHOOSE

At the market, look for brightly colored apples, and stay away from apples that are dull or have brown spots. To avoid mushy, mealy apples, squeeze lightly to make sure they are firm.

HOW TO STORE

Apples stay fresher for longer if you store them in the refrigerator. Even though they may look pretty when displayed on your kitchen countertop, this speeds up the ripening process.

HOW TO EAT

Apples turn brown quickly after they’ve been sliced, which quickly makes them unappealing to kids. To prevent browning, squeeze fresh or bottled lemon juice over the slices before you store them in a container or zip-top baggie.