Sweet & Savory Creamy Chicken Salad with Dried Apricots & Macadamia Nuts

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.

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. 

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)

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.

• 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.

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.

5 from 2 votes

Print

Creamy Chicken Salad Recipe with Dried Apricots & Macadamia Nuts

Prep Time

15 mins

chill time

4 hrs

Total Time

15 mins

 

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.

Course: dinner, lunch

Cuisine: American

Keyword: creamy chicken salad recipe, easy chicken salad recipe

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

1. Add the first 13 ingredients into a large bowl and stir well.

2. Cover and refrigerate the chicken salad at least 4 hours before serving.

3. Serve chilled, on bread or lettuce cups.

4. 
   

Recipe 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 Facts

Creamy Chicken Salad Recipe with Dried Apricots & Macadamia Nuts

Amount Per Serving (1 cup)

Calories 513 Calories from Fat 333

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 37g 57%

Saturated Fat 5g 25%

Cholesterol 83mg 28%

Sodium 786mg 33%

Potassium 976mg 28%

Total Carbohydrates 18g 6%

Dietary Fiber 4g 16%

Sugars 11g

Protein 27g 54%

Vitamin A 45.5%

Vitamin C 110.3%

Calcium 10.7%

Iron 15.5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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.

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