Chicken Salad with Apricot Apple Yogurt

Introduction

Shredded chicken, chopped apple, celery, dried apricots, honey, and strained plain yogurt make a quick sweet-savory chicken salad with some crunch and chew. It takes about 10 minutes, needs no cooking if your chicken is already cooked, and works well as a single-serving lunch or a make-ahead snack.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Servings: 1

Ingredients

• Shredded cooked chicken (about 2 small drumsticks)
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 medium apple, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp honey
• 3 dried apricots, chopped
• Strained plain yogurt
• Hot paprika (optional)

Instructions

1. Combine shredded chicken, apricots, apple and celery.
2. Add yogurt, honey, and hot paprika powder, along with any other desired seasonings.
3. Mix well.

Variations

• Change the apple to a firm pear if you want a softer, less tart sweetness.
• Change the dried apricots to raisins for a milder sweetness and a less chewy texture.
• Change the strained plain yogurt to a thick unsweetened dairy-free yogurt if you need a dairy-free version; the salad will be slightly less tangy.
• Change the hot paprika to smoked paprika if you want depth without as much heat.
• Add a spoonful of chopped walnuts at the mixing step if you want more crunch and a more filling salad.

Tips for Success

• Finely chop the apple, celery, and apricots so the salad mixes evenly and you get balanced bites.
• Use fully cooled shredded chicken; warm chicken will loosen the yogurt and make the salad watery.
• Add the strained plain yogurt a little at a time until the chicken is just coated.
• If you use hot paprika, start with a small amount and taste after mixing so it does not overpower the fruit.

Storage and Reheating

Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. It does not freeze well; the yogurt separates and the apple loses its texture after thawing.

You do not need to reheat it. Serve it cold straight from the fridge, or let it sit at room temperature for 5 minutes and stir once before eating.

FAQ

How much yogurt should you add?

Start with 2 to 3 tablespoons and add more only if needed. The chicken should be lightly coated, not swimming in dressing.

What kind of apple works best?

Use a firm apple such as Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Gala. Softer apples tend to go mealy after mixing.

Can you use rotisserie chicken instead of drumsticks?

Yes. Use about 1 cup shredded cooked chicken for the same single serving.

Can you make this dairy-free?

Yes, if you use a thick unsweetened dairy-free yogurt. Avoid thin yogurt alternatives, which can make the salad runny.