Chicken Apple Luck Salad (Printer view)

Tender chicken, crisp apples, and black-eyed peas tossed in a tangy honey-mustard dressing for vibrant flavors.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein & Legumes

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
02 - 1 1/2 cups cooked black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed

→ Produce

03 - 2 medium apples (Fuji or Honeycrisp), cored and diced
04 - 1 cup celery, finely sliced
05 - 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, baby kale)
07 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

→ Dressing

08 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
09 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
10 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
11 - 1 tablespoon honey
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Optional Garnishes

14 - 1/4 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
15 - 2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese (omit for dairy-free)

# Directions:

01 - Whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified. Set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, mix cooked chicken, black-eyed peas, diced apples, celery, red onion, and parsley.
03 - Incorporate mixed salad greens and toss gently to combine all ingredients.
04 - Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated.
05 - Sprinkle toasted nuts and crumbled feta cheese over the salad if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It brings together sweet, tangy, and savory flavors in a way that feels celebratory without any fuss.
  • The black-eyed peas add creaminess and protein, making this salad hearty enough to stand alone as a meal.
  • You can prep everything ahead and toss it together in minutes, which is perfect when youre hosting or recovering from a late night.
  • The honey-mustard dressing clings beautifully to the greens and chicken without feeling heavy.
02 -
  • If you dress the salad too early, the greens will wilt and the apples will start to brown; toss everything together right before serving.
  • Rinsing canned black-eyed peas thoroughly removes excess sodium and keeps the salad from tasting tinny.
  • Toasting the nuts in a dry skillet for just a few minutes brings out their oils and deepens their flavor dramatically.
03 -
  • Dice the apples just before assembling to prevent browning, or toss them lightly with a squeeze of lemon juice.
  • For the best texture, make sure your greens are completely dry after washing; a salad spinner is your best friend here.
  • If you dont have Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard works too and adds a nice texture to the dressing.
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