Chicken Apple New Years Luck (Printable)

A protein-packed, flavorful salad combining chicken, apples, black-eyed peas, and a honey-mustard dressing.

# 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 (optional, omit for dairy-free)

# Step-by-Step Guide:

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

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It honors tradition while tasting modern and fresh, making it feel like a meal with actual meaning.
  • You can have dinner on the table in under 40 minutes without feeling rushed or stressed.
  • The combination of protein, greens, and fruit keeps you satisfied but never heavy, perfect for starting the year strong.
02 -
  • Toss the apples with a little of the vinegar dressing immediately after cutting them—this stops them from browning and starts infusing flavor.
  • Don't dress the salad until you're ready to serve it; the greens will wilt if left sitting in dressing for too long.
03 -
  • Use a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store—it saves time and honestly tastes better than rushing through cooking your own.
  • Toast your own nuts instead of buying them pre-toasted; the difference in flavor and freshness is worth the five minutes.
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