If you’re like me, you love summer gatherings filled with laughter, good food, and fresh flavors. Picture this: a sun-kissed picnic blanket spread across the green grass, surrounded by friends and family, where a delectable Fuji Apple Salad with Chicken steals the spotlight.
It pairs beautifully with grilled chicken skewers, a refreshing fruit punch, or perhaps a light sparkly white wine. This is exactly the kind of dish that elevates your summer spread and keeps everyone coming back for more.
The Fuji Apple Salad with Chicken combines the crunch of fresh veggies with sweet apple slices and the savory goodness of chicken. It’s a vibrant, robust salad that fits any occasion—from potlucks to cozy family dinners.
It’s not only a feast for the eyes, but it also tantalizes your taste buds with its delightful mix of flavors and textures.
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What is the flavor profile of this dish?
This salad is a harmonious blend of sweetness from the Fuji apples, earthiness from the toasted pecans, and creaminess from the Gorgonzola cheese. The champagne vinaigrette brings a zing that ties everything together. When you take a bite, you’ll experience the contrasting flavors—sweet, savory, tangy, and crunchy—that make this salad irresistible.
What Makes This Recipe Different From Other Fuji Apple Salads?
What sets this Fuji Apple Salad apart from others is the homemade creamy champagne vinaigrette and the combination of roasted apple chips and toasted pecans. While many recipes simply toss ingredients together with a store-bought dressing, this recipe packs a flavorful punch with elevated ingredients that ignite your palate. Plus, it’s versatile enough to adapt to your favorite flavors and ingredients.
The Ingredients You’ll Need
To whip up this delectable Fuji Apple Salad, gather the following ingredients:
– 2 Fuji apples, thinly sliced (or substitute with 1 to 2 cups of apple chips)
– ½ cup pecans
– 1 tablespoon brown sugar
– Pickled onions (for serving)
– 1 cup cooked and cubed or shredded chicken breast
– 8 cups spring greens
– ½ cup sliced grape tomatoes
– ⅓ cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
– Salt and pepper to taste
– New Addition: ½ teaspoon cinnamon (for extra warmth)
– New Addition: ¼ cup dried cranberries (for a touch of tartness)
Creamy Champagne Vinaigrette:
– ¼ cup champagne vinegar
– 1 garlic clove, minced
– 1 tablespoon heavy cream
– 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
– 2 teaspoons honey
– Pinch of salt and pepper
– ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Ingredients From : howsweeteats.com
How to make Fuji Apple Salad with Chicken?
Making this salad is straightforward. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a dish that looks beautiful and tastes even better. Ready? Let’s dive right in!
Step-by-step directions
Step 1: Prepare the Apple Chips
Preheat your oven to 225 degrees F (about 107 degrees C). While it’s warming up, grab those Fuji apples and thinly slice them into rounds. Lay the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pop them in the oven and let them bake for one hour. After an hour, flip the slices over and continue to bake for another hour. Once they’re done, allow these delightful apple chips to cool at room temperature in an airtight container or a resealable bag.
Step 2: Toast the Pecans
Next up, let’s get those pecans perfectly toasted. Place a nonstick pan over medium heat and toss in the pecans. Add the brown sugar and stir constantly to avoid burning. Watch closely as the pecans turn golden brown and the sugar melts into a sweet sticky coating. This should take about 2 to 3 minutes. Once they’re toasted to your liking, remove them from the heat and spread them onto a sheet of parchment paper to cool. You can leave them whole or chop them into smaller pieces, depending on your preference.
Step 3: Mix the Salad
Taking a spacious salad bowl, add the spring greens and sprinkle a generous pinch of salt and pepper over them. Now, let’s make this dish pop! Top with your chopped chicken, crispy apple chips, those beautiful toasted pecans, sliced grape tomatoes, and, of course, the crumbled Gorgonzola cheese.
Step 4: Whisk up the Creamy Champagne Vinaigrette
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the champagne vinegar, minced garlic, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper. This creates the base of your vinaigrette. While whisking, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil until everything is beautifully emulsified. You can adjust seasoning to your liking.
Step 5: Toss and Serve
Finally, drizzle that creamy vinaigrette over the salad. Give it a good toss to ensure everything is coated evenly. Serve right away, or refrigerate it for a while if you want the flavors to meld together further.
Tips On Making Fuji Apple Salad with Chicken
– Slice Accurately: For crispy apple chips, ensure your apple slices are even. This helps in achieving consistent cooking.
– Chill the Chicken: If using leftover chicken, try chilling it in the fridge beforehand. Cold chicken adds a refreshing touch.
– Experiment with Greens: While spring greens are delightful, feel free to mix in other greens like spinach or arugula for added flavor.
– Adjust Sweetness: If you like it sweeter, don’t be shy—add more honey to the vinaigrette.
– Make Ahead: Prepare the apple chips and pecans a day before for a quicker assembly when you’re ready to serve.
Storage Tips
Store any leftover Fuji Apple Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The salad is best enjoyed fresh but will keep well for about 2 days. Just keep in mind that the apple chips may lose their crunch over time. If possible, store the dressing separately to keep everything fresh.
Serving Suggestions
– Pair with Grilled Chicken: Enhance the meal with grilled chicken for added protein.
– Serve with Crusty Bread: A slice of crusty French bread can complement this dish beautifully.
– Combine with Soup: Add a warm tomato basil soup for a comforting meal.
– Add Quinoa: Toss in cooked quinoa for additional texture and protein.
– Top with Avocado: A few slices of fresh avocado will add creaminess and healthy fats.
If some of the items are not available in your kitchen, what are some substitute options for the ingredients?
– Apple Chips: Use dried apple slices if fresh Fuji apples aren’t available.
– Pecans: Walnuts or almonds can make for suitable substitutes.
– Gorgonzola: Feta cheese offers a similar crumbly texture and tartness.
– Champagne Vinegar: If you don’t have it, white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar will work too.
– Heavy Cream: Substitute with Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing option.
Fuji Apple Salad with Chicken
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Whisk
- non-stick pan
- salad bowl
- airtight container
Ingredients
- To whip up this delectable Fuji Apple Salad gather the following ingredients:
- – 2 Fuji apples thinly sliced (or substitute with 1 to 2 cups of apple chips)
- – ½ cup pecans
- – 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- – Pickled onions for serving
- – 1 cup cooked and cubed or shredded chicken breast
- – 8 cups spring greens
- – ½ cup sliced grape tomatoes
- – ⅓ cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
- – Salt and pepper to taste
- – New Addition: ½ teaspoon cinnamon for extra warmth
- – New Addition: ¼ cup dried cranberries for a touch of tartness
Creamy Champagne Vinaigrette:
- – ¼ cup champagne vinegar
- – 1 garlic clove minced
- – 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- – 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- – 2 teaspoons honey
- – Pinch of salt and pepper
- – ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Apple Chips
- Preheat your oven to 225 degrees F (about 107 degrees C). While it’s warming up, grab those Fuji apples and thinly slice them into rounds. Lay the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pop them in the oven and let them bake for one hour. After an hour, flip the slices over and continue to bake for another hour. Once they’re done, allow these delightful apple chips to cool at room temperature in an airtight container or a resealable bag.
Step 2: Toast the Pecans
- Next up, let’s get those pecans perfectly toasted. Place a nonstick pan over medium heat and toss in the pecans. Add the brown sugar and stir constantly to avoid burning. Watch closely as the pecans turn golden brown and the sugar melts into a sweet sticky coating. This should take about 2 to 3 minutes. Once they’re toasted to your liking, remove them from the heat and spread them onto a sheet of parchment paper to cool. You can leave them whole or chop them into smaller pieces, depending on your preference.
Step 3: Mix the Salad
- Taking a spacious salad bowl, add the spring greens and sprinkle a generous pinch of salt and pepper over them. Now, let’s make this dish pop! Top with your chopped chicken, crispy apple chips, those beautiful toasted pecans, sliced grape tomatoes, and, of course, the crumbled Gorgonzola cheese.
Step 4: Whisk up the Creamy Champagne Vinaigrette
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the champagne vinegar, minced garlic, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper. This creates the base of your vinaigrette. While whisking, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil until everything is beautifully emulsified. You can adjust seasoning to your liking.
Step 5: Toss and Serve
- Finally, drizzle that creamy vinaigrette over the salad. Give it a good toss to ensure everything is coated evenly. Serve right away, or refrigerate it for a while if you want the flavors to meld together further.
Notes
Nutrition
FAQs
1. Can I use other types of apples?
Absolutely! While Fuji apples are sweet and crisp, you can explore other varieties like Honeycrisp or Gala.
2. Can I make this a vegan dish?
Yes, simply substitute chicken with chickpeas or grilled tofu and skip the Gorgonzola. You can use a dairy-free cream alternative for the dressing.
3. How do I store the apple chips?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. They can last for several days if stored correctly!
4. Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
Certainly! Just keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to eat, and add the apple chips just before serving for extra crunch.
5. What can I do with leftovers?
Try adding leftovers to a wrap or sandwich, or mix them into a grain bowl for a delicious meal the next day.
Conclusion
The Fuji Apple Salad with Chicken is a delightful, refreshing dish that brings the vibrant flavors of summer to your table. With its crunchy textures, savory chicken, and a zesty dressing, it’s a recipe that caters to everyone from picky eaters to gourmet enthusiasts.
Plus, it’s versatile enough to make your own with whatever ingredients tickle your fancy. So why not give it a try? Make this salad your new go-to for summer get-togethers or a quick weeknight meal. You won’t regret it!