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    Home » Main Course Recipes » Chicken and Poultry Recipes

    Published: Jul 15, 2018 · Modified: May 4, 2022 by Renée · This post may contain affiliate links · 5 Comments

    Creamy Chicken Salad with Dried Apricots

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    Sweet & Savory Creamy Chicken Salad Recipe with Dried Apricots & Macadamia Nuts makes a delicious summer meal when served in lettuce cups for a low-carb meal option, or between some delicious bread as a sandwich filling. However you choose to serve and eat it, you're going to love this wonderful combination of flavors and textures.

    Creamy Chicken Salad Recipe with Dried Apricots & Macadamia Nuts Recipe - kudoskitchenbyrenee.com

    You can make this creamy chicken salad in advance and keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days. Once made, you'll be ready to serve it up at a moments notice or to pack it in a cooler for a fun and tasty on-the-go picnic.

    **Please Note - The printable recipe card with detailed instructions and complete ingredient measurements for making Creamy Chicken Salad Recipe with Dried Apricots & Macadamia Nuts is available near the end of this post. 

    Sweet & Savory Creamy Chicken Salad Recipe with Dried Apricots & Macadamia Nuts makes a delicious summer meal when served in lettuce cups for a low-carb meal option, or between your favorite bread slices as a sandwich filling. Whichever way you choose to serve (and eat it), you're going to love this tasty combination of flavors and textures. - kudoskitchenbyrenee.com

    The ingredient list for making this Creamy Chicken Salad Recipe with Dried Apricots & Macadamia Nuts are;

    • rotisserie chicken (about 6 cups of chopped chicken)
    • mayonnaise
    • avocado oil
    • red onion
    • red bell pepper
    • celery
    • fresh orange juice and orange zest
    • macadamia nuts
    • fresh tarragon
    • dried apricots
    • salt and pepper
    • red cabbage (optional for presentation)
    • butter lettuce leaves (optional for serving)

    Sweet & Savory Creamy Chicken Salad Recipe with Dried Apricots & Macadamia Nuts makes a delicious summer meal when served in lettuce cups for a low-carb meal option, or between your favorite bread slices as a sandwich filling. Whichever way you choose to serve (and eat it), you're going to love this tasty combination of flavors and textures. - kudoskitchenbyrenee.com

    This sweet and savory creamy chicken salad recipe is one I developed because my husband and I started eating a low-carb diet. All the ingredients I've used are relatively low in carbohydrates, with the exception of the dried apricots. However, because there is only a small amount of dried apricots in this recipe (½ cup for 6 cups of chicken salad), and because dried apricots are also high in fiber, I considered them to be a healthy and flavorful option for this creamy chicken salad recipe.

    Creamy Chicken Salad Recipe tips;

    • I find that a mix of dark and white meat chicken makes the best-tasting chicken salad. Store-bought rotisserie chicken is what I prefer when making a homemade chicken salad recipe.
    • When using onions in a non-cooked salad, I enjoy a red onion and think it is the sweetest. You can adjust the amount of red onion in the recipe depending on your taste. Chopped shallots may be used in place of the red onion for a slightly milder onion flavor.
    • Golden raisins make a good substitution for the dried apricots if you're not a fan of apricots.
    • When dicing the vegetables, make sure they're all roughly the same size. I like mine to be about ¼" dice.
    • Fresh orange juice and zest help to brighten the flavor of this creamy chicken salad recipe. I don't recommend leaving these out.
    • Other chopped nuts may be substituted for the macadamia nuts if preferred.
    • Once the chicken salad is made, chill covered in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours so the flavors can marry and meld.
    • Always stir well before serving.
    • This creamy chicken salad can keep in the refrigerator (covered) for up to 5 days.
    • When serving chilled, don't allow this chicken salad to sit out for longer than 2 hours without refrigerating. If serving on a hot day, don't let it sit for more than 1 hour without refrigerating.

    Let's make today's Creamy Chicken Salad Recipe with Dried Apricots and Macadamia Nuts;

    • In a large bowl, add 6 cups of boneless, skinless chicken, torn into bite-sized pieces.
    • Stir in diced celery, red bell peppers, red onion, mayonnaise, and avocado oil.

    How to make creamy chicken salad with dried apricots & macadamia nuts

    • Season with salt and pepper.
    • Add fresh orange juice and fresh orange zest

    • Chop and add the dried apricots, macadamia nuts, and fresh tarragon.

    • Stir well to combine and refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving for the flavors to marry.
    • Create a red cabbage bowl for presentation using a paring knife and an ice cream scoop, if desired.
    • Serve on bread for sandwiches or in lettuce cups.

    Creamy Chicken Salad Recipe with Dried Apricots & Macadamia Nuts Recipe - kudoskitchenbyrenee.com

    For additional recipes using rotisserie chicken, please click on the following titles for;

    • Berry Chicken and Avocado Salad
    • Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Portabello
    • French Spaghetti

    Below is the printable recipe card for today’s Creamy Chicken Salad Recipe with Dried Apricots & Macadamia Nuts. If you’ve enjoyed this recipe, I’d appreciate if you’d take a moment to give this recipe some feedback by way of stars near the comment section at the end of this post. Thank you.

    Sweet & Savory Creamy Chicken Salad Recipe with Dried Apricots & Macadamia Nuts makes a delicious summer meal when served in lettuce cups for a low-carb meal option, or between your favorite bread slices as a sandwich filling. Whichever way you choose to serve (and eat it), you're going to love this tasty combination of flavors and textures. - kudoskitchenbyrenee.com

    Creamy Chicken Salad Recipe with Dried Apricots & Macadamia Nuts

    Renee Goerger
    Sweet & Savory Creamy Chicken Salad Recipe with Dried Apricots & Macadamia Nuts makes a delicious summer meal when served in lettuce cups for a low-carb meal option, or between your favorite bread slices as a sandwich filling. Whichever way you choose to serve (and eat it), you're going to love this tasty combination of flavors and textures.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save recipe Saved Recipe!
    Prep Time 15 mins
    chill time 4 hrs
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course dinner, lunch
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 cups
    Calories 513 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 6 cups boneless/skinless chicken pieces, torn or cut into bite-sized pieces
    • 1 cup mayonnaise
    • ¼ cup avocado oil
    • 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
    • 1½ tablespoons fresh orange zest
    • ½ cup diced red onion
    • 1 cup diced red bell pepper
    • 1 cup diced celery
    • ½ cup chopped macadamia nuts
    • ½ cup chopped, dried apricots
    • 3 tablespoons fresh chopped tarragon
    • 1½ teaspoons salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • 1 red cabbage, hollowed into a bowl, optional
    • butter lettuce leaves for serving, optional

    Instructions
     

    • Add the first 13 ingredients into a large bowl and stir well.
    • Cover and refrigerate the chicken salad at least 4 hours before serving.
    • Serve chilled, on bread or lettuce cups.

    Notes

    Stir well before serving. Keep this chicken salad chilled if serving on a hot day.
    Tools and equipment;
    cutting board, chef's knife, large bowl, wooden spoon or spatula, measuring cups, measuring spoons, microplane or zester, paring knife and ice cream scoop (for making the red cabbage bowl), optional.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cupCalories: 513kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 27gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 83mgSodium: 786mgPotassium: 976mgFiber: 4gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 2275IUVitamin C: 91mgCalcium: 107mgIron: 2.8mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's Sweet & Savory Creamy Chicken Salad Recipe with Dried Apricots & Macadamia Nuts as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you.

    Creamy Chicken Salad Recipe with Dried Apricots & Macadamia Nuts Recipe - kudoskitchenbyrenee.com

    Should you have any questions regarding this recipe, or anything else you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to contact me directly or leave me a comment in the comment section below. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back to you with a reply just as soon as I possibly can!

    For additional information regarding my Kudos Kitchen recipes, and/or my hand painted glassware or fabric items, please follow me on;

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    Kudos Kitchen by Renée ~ Cooking up artistically delicious family-friendly dishes from my Kudos Kitchen to yours!

    Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

      July 16, 2018 at 9:37 am

      5 stars
      What a great chicken salad -- always one of my favorite dishes! The apricots & macadamia nuts are fab here! Mmm!

      Reply
    2. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

      July 16, 2018 at 9:36 am

      What a great chicken salad -- always one of my favorite dishes! The apricots & macadamia nuts are fab here!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        July 16, 2018 at 11:55 am

        Thanks, Patricia! I'm a sucker for a fruit and nut chicken salad so I had no choice. LOL

        Reply
    3. Jenn says

      July 16, 2018 at 9:28 am

      5 stars
      This is easily my new favorite use for dried apricots! Such a fanastic and colorful dish!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        July 16, 2018 at 11:55 am

        Thank you so much. It's the colors that make it so flavorful!

        Reply

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