This protein and flavor-packed chicken salad recipe has everything you love about an old-school Waldorf salad, but we’ve cut the goopy mayonnaise with honey, mustard, apple cider vinegar and chives to make a creamy but not too heavy dressing. We also have the added sparkle of sweet and crunchy Santé Nuts Candied Walnuts. This grilled chicken salad with candied walnuts is a great recipe for when you need to pack a lunch for a spontaneous weekend picnic, and it makes a wonderful filling for a pita sandwich, for taking to work. Crisp celery and apples, juicy grapes, creamy avocado, and our Candied Walnuts breathe new life into a basic grilled chicken breast, and the creamy apple cider-chive dressing make this chicken salad recipe one you’ll want to make again and again.

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes

Servings/Yield: 6-8 Servings

Ingredients:

For the Salad:

• 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
• 1 tbl olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 4 cups fresh baby spinach
• 2 stalks celery, sliced
• 1 apple, cubed
• 1/2 cup red grapes, halved
• 1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced
• 1 package Santé Candied Walnuts

Apple Cider and Chive Dressing:

• 2 tbsp low-fat mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
• 1 tsp whole grain mustard
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/4 tsp each salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions:

1. Whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, oil, chives, mustard, honey, salt and pepper.
   
   
2. Preheat grill to medium-high heat; grease grate well. Toss chicken with oil and season with salt and pepper; grill for 5 to 7 minutes per side or until grill-marked and cooked through. Let rest for 10 minutes; cut into bite-size pieces.
   
   
3. Add chicken, spinach, celery, apple, grapes and avocado to large bowl; toss with Apple Cider and Chive Dressing. Toss with candied walnuts and serve.