Curried Chicken Salad with Crunchy Broccoli and Sweet Dates
This delightful Curried Chicken Salad combines tender chunks of perfectly cooked chicken breast with vibrant broccoli florets and sweet medjool dates. The tangy dressing of mayonnaise and cider vinegar is elevated with the aromatic warmth of curry powder, creating a satisfying and unique flavor profile. Toss in some crisp Granny Smith apple and crunchy celery for added texture and freshness. Perfect as a light lunch or a picnic dish, serve this salad in pita pockets for a delightful bite that’s both nourishing and delicious. Make it ahead for efficient meal prep or enjoy it fresh for a quick weeknight dinner.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (heat in skillet)
boneless skinless chicken breast
1 (cooked and chopped)
salt
to taste (for seasoning)
freshly ground black pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
broccoli florets
3/4 cup (cooked and chopped)
mayonnaise
1/3 cup (for dressing)
cider vinegar
1 tablespoon (for dressing)
curry powder
1/2 teaspoon (for dressing)
Granny Smith apple
1/2 (chopped)
dates
3 (pitted and finely chopped)
celery ribs
2 (thinly sliced)
pita bread rounds
2 (for serving)
Instructions
1
In a medium skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat until shimmering.
2
Season the boneless, skinless chicken breast generously on both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook it for about 5 minutes on each side, or until it is browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and let it cool on a cutting board.
3
While the chicken is cooling, bring a small saucepan filled with salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the broccoli florets and cook for approximately 3-5 minutes, or until they are crisp-tender. Drain well, rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process, and set aside.
4
Once the chicken has cooled, chop both the chicken and broccoli into bite-sized pieces and combine them in a large mixing bowl.
5
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, cider vinegar, and curry powder until smooth. Pour the dressing over the chicken and broccoli mixture.
6
Add the chopped Granny Smith apple, finely chopped dates, and thinly sliced celery to the bowl. Gently toss all the ingredients together until evenly coated in the dressing.
7
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if desired.
8
Serve the salad immediately in pita bread rounds, or refrigerate for up to one hour for the flavors to meld.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein used in this curried chicken salad?
The main protein is one boneless, skinless chicken breast, cooked and chopped into bite-sized pieces.
What type of apple is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for half of a Granny Smith apple, chopped, to add a tart crunch.
How long should I cook the chicken breast?
Cook the chicken in a skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes on each side until browned and cooked through.
What ingredients are in the salad dressing?
The dressing is made by whisking together 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon cider vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon curry powder.
How should the broccoli be prepared?
Boil the broccoli florets in salted water for 3-5 minutes until crisp-tender, then drain and rinse under cold water.
What adds sweetness to this savory chicken salad?
The sweetness comes from three pitted and finely chopped Medjool dates and the Granny Smith apple.
How should I serve the Curried Chicken Salad?
It is best served immediately in pita bread rounds or refrigerated for an hour to let flavors meld.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is excellent for efficient meal prep and can be made ahead of time.
What type of oil is used to cook the chicken?
One tablespoon of vegetable oil is used to heat the skillet for the chicken.
How many celery ribs are needed?
The recipe requires two celery ribs, which should be thinly sliced.
Can I eat this salad right away?
Yes, you can serve it immediately after tossing the ingredients in the dressing.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
The salad mixture itself is gluten-free, but you would need to substitute or omit the pita bread rounds.
How much curry powder is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of curry powder to provide aromatic warmth.
What is the texture of the broccoli in this salad?
The broccoli is cooked to be 'crisp-tender,' providing a nice crunch without being raw.
How should the chicken be seasoned before cooking?
Season both sides of the chicken breast generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Should I chop the chicken while it is hot?
No, let the chicken cool on a cutting board before chopping it into bite-sized pieces.
What kind of vinegar is used for the dressing?
One tablespoon of cider vinegar is used to give the dressing a tangy flavor.
How much broccoli is required?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of broccoli florets.
How many pita bread rounds does this recipe serve?
The recipe includes two pita bread rounds for serving.
Can I use different types of dates?
While Medjool dates are recommended for their sweetness, any pitted dates will work if finely chopped.
Do I need to whisk the dressing in a separate bowl?
Yes, it is recommended to whisk the mayonnaise, vinegar, and curry powder in a separate small bowl until smooth before adding to the salad.
What is the first step in making this recipe?
The first step is heating the vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.
How do I stop the broccoli from overcooking?
Rinse the drained broccoli under cold water immediately after boiling to stop the cooking process.
Is this a light or heavy meal?
It is described as a light lunch or picnic dish that is both nourishing and delicious.
What provides the 'aromatic warmth' mentioned in the description?
The curry powder in the dressing provides the aromatic warmth.
Should the celery be chopped or sliced?
The celery ribs should be thinly sliced.
Can I adjust the seasoning?
Yes, after tossing the ingredients, you should taste and adjust salt and pepper as desired.
How many dates are used?
The recipe uses exactly three dates.
Is the chicken skinless?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for a boneless, skinless chicken breast.
How much mayonnaise is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/3 cup of mayonnaise.