Curry Chicken Salad: A Bold, Flavorful Twist on a Classic
Why You’ll Love This Curry Chicken Salad
Hi, foodies! If you’re like me and love flavorful salads, you will adore this Curry Chicken Salad. It is a sort of creamy, sweet with occasional hints of savory tingles resulting from the blend of curry powder, succulent chicken, grapes, and toasted cashews. If you want a fast bite, something to take to work, or something different for your next potluck, then this is ideal for you.
I first discovered curry chicken salad when searching for a creative way to use leftover chicken. Well, I am a dietitian and prefer a little spicy recipe to the more regular Salad recipe I got today! The combination of curry powder, creamy dressing, and the sweetness in fruits such as grapes or apples make this dish a peri-peri favorite.
Why This Salad Will Become a Staple
Here’s why you’ll love making this Curry Chicken Salad:
- Bold Flavors: The curry powder adds a warm, aromatic spice that takes the traditional chicken salad to the next level.
- Sweet and Savory: Combining savory chicken with sweet grapes (or apples) creates a beautiful balance of flavors.
- Quick and Easy: With just a few simple ingredients, this salad comes together in no time—perfect for busy weekdays.
- Versatile: You can enjoy it on its own, with crackers, in a wrap, or over greens for a light, refreshing meal.
Curry Chicken Salad: A Bold, Flavorful Twist on a Classic
Course: Salads, SidesCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings30
minutes40
minutes300
kcalEnjoy this Curry Chicken Salad recipe for a unique take on classic chicken salad. Filled with juicy chicken, luscious grapes, crunchy cashews and creamy spice dressing making it the perfect sweet / savory combo! With a minimal effort and room for variations, this is the perfect salad on busy days or when you need to prepare something for family gatherings.
Ingredients
3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie works great!)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup Greek yogurt (optional for a lighter version)
2 tsp curry powder (adjust to taste)
1/2 cup red grapes, halved (or diced apples)
1/4 cup cashews or almonds, chopped
1/4 cup celery, diced
1 tbsp honey (optional for sweetness)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Add-Ins:
1/4 cup raisins, for extra sweetness
Chopped cilantro or parsley for added freshness
1/4 cup sliced green onions, for a bit more flavor kick
Directions
- Prepare the Dressing
Combine both mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, curry powder, and, if so desired, honey in a large bowl. It is done by seasoning the curry with salt and freshly ground black pepper. You will find that this creamy curry dressing will cover all of the ingredients and enhance the various tastes. - Combine the Ingredients
This is one of the most versatile dishes, allowing you to add whatever you want – shredded chicken, grapes or apples, cashews, celery, raisins, green onions, etc. Healthy coat the chicken and fruits with the dressing, giving it a light stir, then flip the chicken into the bowl and gently mix everything. - Chill and Serve
The salad can be refrigerated and served after half an hour – this will improve its taste. This makes them infuse together. If, for instance, it is intended that the first fruit be allowed to ripen in the hop back, then the hops added should not overpower the first fruit. Enjoy the salad on the side, alongside crackers, as a sandwich filling, or on top of a green salad for a healthy meal.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Refrigerate Curry Chicken Salad for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor. That promotes flavor blending. Use less curry powder if you want it milder, and once you store leftovers in the refrigerator, add a dash more mayo or yogurt before serving for an added texture.
Types of Customizations for Curry Chicken Salad
This salad is incredibly versatile, so feel free to customize it to suit your taste:
- Make it Lighter: Add less mayonnaise to the salad by replacing it with Greek yogurt to make the salad lighter and tangier half of the mayonnaise.
- Add Extra Crunch: To add a crunch, add chopped almonds or sunflower seeds just before serving. You could also add sliced cumber or bell pepper.
- Sweeten it Up: To make your salad taste even sweeter, increase the quantity of honey or add raisins, cranberries, or apples.
- Heat it: Add sweet paprika or curl horn pepper in the dressing for that extra flavor.
Health Benefits of Curry Chicken Salad
This Curry Chicken Salad is not only flavorful but also nutritious:
- Chicken: An excellent source of lean protein and is not wrong for you in terms of feeling full and satisfied.
- Greek Yogurt: If you add k yogurt to the dressing, you will benefit from using probiotics and protein.
- Fruits and Nuts: Grapes, apples, and cashews create powerful healthy fats and antioxidants to include nutrients complementing the dish’s taste.
- Curry Powder: Often used in curries, this spice mix can involve turmeric, which is rich in curcumin and an anti-inflammatory agent.
Serving Suggestions and Storing Tips
Here are some tips for serving and storing this Curry Chicken Salad:
- Serve with Crackers or Bread: This salad is served with whole grain crackers or used in a sandwich or wrap.
- Serve over Greens: Add more surprise and variation to one portion by putting the salad on a plate of arugula or spinach.
- Meal Prep: This salad is perfect to prepare in advance. This should be prepared in large quantities and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. If the salad seems dry after storing, add a little more mayonnaise or yogurt before serving.
Conclusion
And there you have it—my take on Curry Chicken Salad! This salad is assertively flavored and quartet; each flavor is offset by the fruit’s sweetness and the nuts’ texture the nuts. If you need a fast snack or something handy for work or school or preparing a dinner party, this salad will appeal to everybody.
Let me know how you customize your curry chicken salad, and feel free to share your delicious creations with me in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad dairy-free?
Yes! You can substitute the mayonnaise with the dressing or use a non-dairy yogurt to omit the yogurt here.
Can I use different fruits or nuts?
Absolutely! You can replace the grapes with apples or cashews with pecans or almonds.
How long can I store this salad in the fridge?
This salad will last up to 3 days in the fridge, ideally in an airtight container.
Can I use leftover or rotisserie chicken?
Yes! Using rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken makes this recipe quick and easy.
