Harvest Chicken & Walnut Salad with Apple Vinaigrette
Celebrate the flavors of fall with this delightful Harvest Chicken & Walnut Salad. Tender, roasted chicken breasts meet crisp romaine lettuce, sweet McIntosh apples, and crunchy walnuts, all tossed together with a creamy ranch dressing spiced with a hint of cinnamon. The addition of Craisins® dried cranberries brings a lovely tartness that perfectly balances the savory elements of this dish. A hearty portion of whole wheat elbow macaroni adds a satisfying touch, making this salad a complete meal. Share it with family and friends at your next gathering for a refreshing taste of autumn!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Craisins® dried cranberries
1/2 cup (none)
Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Light Dressing
1 cup (none)
Ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon (none)
Boneless chicken breasts
2 lbs (raw)
Onion powder
3 teaspoons (none)
Mrs. Dash® seasoning original
4 teaspoons (none)
Walnuts, chopped
6 tablespoons (none)
McIntosh apples, sliced
4 cups (sliced)
Fresh Express® Hearts of Romaine
8 cups (washed and chopped)
Whole wheat elbow macaroni
8 ounces (cooked)
Instructions
1
Cook the whole wheat elbow macaroni according to package directions. Once cooked, drain and set aside to cool.
2
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, season the boneless chicken breasts with onion powder and Mrs. Dash® seasoning, ensuring they are evenly coated.
3
Place the seasoned chicken breasts in an oven-proof baking dish and roast in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Remove from the oven and let rest before slicing into half-inch strips.
4
While the chicken is roasting, prepare the dressing by whisking together the Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Light Dressing and ground cinnamon in a small bowl until well combined.
5
In a large salad bowl, combine the Fresh Express® Hearts of Romaine, cooled elbow macaroni, and sliced McIntosh apples. Pour the dressing mixture over the salad and toss gently to combine, ensuring all ingredients are coated.
6
To serve, divide the salad evenly among four large plates. Top each salad with an equal portion of sliced roasted chicken.
7
In a separate small bowl, mix together the chopped walnuts and Craisins®. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over each salad for added texture and flavor. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Harvest Chicken & Walnut Salad with Apple Vinaigrette?
It is a fall-inspired salad featuring roasted chicken, crisp romaine lettuce, McIntosh apples, walnuts, and whole wheat macaroni, tossed in a cinnamon-spiced ranch dressing.
What are the primary ingredients in this salad?
The main ingredients include boneless chicken breasts, Fresh Express Hearts of Romaine, McIntosh apples, walnuts, Craisins, and whole wheat elbow macaroni.
How do I prepare the chicken for the Harvest Salad?
Season the chicken with onion powder and Mrs. Dash seasoning, then roast it at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
What seasoning is used on the chicken?
The chicken is seasoned with 3 teaspoons of onion powder and 4 teaspoons of Mrs. Dash seasoning original.
What kind of dressing is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses a mixture of 1 cup Hidden Valley Original Ranch Light Dressing and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
How are the apples prepared?
The recipe calls for 4 cups of McIntosh apples that should be sliced before being added to the salad.
What type of pasta is included in the salad?
The recipe includes 8 ounces of cooked whole wheat elbow macaroni.
What size should the chicken be sliced into after roasting?
Once roasted and rested, the chicken breasts should be sliced into half-inch strips.
How much lettuce is required?
The recipe requires 8 cups of Fresh Express Hearts of Romaine, washed and chopped.
What temperature should the oven be set to for the chicken?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) for roasting the chicken.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
The instructions suggest dividing the salad among four large plates, providing four hearty servings.
What gives the salad its tart flavor?
The addition of 1/2 cup of Craisins dried cranberries provides a lovely tartness to balance the savory flavors.
Are there nuts in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses 6 tablespoons of chopped walnuts for added crunch and texture.
What is the internal temperature the chicken must reach?
The chicken must reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) to be considered fully cooked.
When should the walnuts and Craisins be added?
The walnuts and Craisins should be mixed together in a separate bowl and sprinkled over the salad just before serving.
Can I use a different type of apple?
While the recipe specifies McIntosh apples for their flavor profile, you could likely substitute other crisp varieties if preferred.
Is the macaroni cooked before adding it to the salad?
Yes, the macaroni should be cooked according to package directions, drained, and cooled before assembly.
How is the dressing incorporated?
The dressing is poured over the romaine, macaroni, and apples and tossed gently to coat all ingredients.
Is this salad considered a main meal?
Yes, the inclusion of protein from the chicken and carbohydrates from the macaroni makes it a complete, satisfying meal.
What makes this an 'Autumn' recipe?
The combination of McIntosh apples, walnuts, dried cranberries, and ground cinnamon creates a flavor profile typical of fall.
Should the chicken rest before slicing?
Yes, the instructions state to let the chicken rest after removing it from the oven before slicing it into strips.
Can I use regular ranch dressing?
The recipe calls for Hidden Valley Original Ranch Light Dressing, but regular ranch could be used if preferred.
Is there any salt added to the chicken?
Salt is not specifically listed; instead, Mrs. Dash seasoning and onion powder are used to flavor the meat.
What is the total amount of chicken needed?
You will need 2 lbs of boneless chicken breasts for this recipe.
How much cinnamon is in the dressing?
One teaspoon of ground cinnamon is whisked into the ranch dressing.
What is the best way to serve this dish?
Divide the tossed salad onto plates, top with the warm sliced chicken, and finish with the walnut and Craisin mixture.
How much Mrs. Dash seasoning is used?
The recipe uses 4 teaspoons of Mrs. Dash seasoning original to coat the chicken.
Are the walnuts raw or toasted?
The recipe lists 'walnuts, chopped' without specific instructions to toast them, though they are added at the end for crunch.
Does the salad include any cheese?
No, there is no cheese listed in the ingredients for this specific Harvest Salad recipe.
Is the dressing whisked or blended?
The dressing is prepared by whisking the ranch dressing and ground cinnamon together in a small bowl.