Chicken and Apple New Years (Printable Version)

Protein-rich salad with chicken, apples, black-eyed peas, and a tangy honey-mustard dressing for New Year.

# 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, or 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)

# How-To Steps:

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 bowl, mix cooked chicken, black-eyed peas, diced apples, celery, red onion, and parsley.
03 - Add mixed salad greens to the bowl and toss gently to combine.
04 - Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated.
05 - Sprinkle with toasted pecans or walnuts and crumbled feta cheese if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It turns traditional good-luck ingredients into something you actually crave, not just tolerate.
  • The honey-mustard dressing clings to every bite without feeling heavy or overdressed.
  • You can have it on the table in half an hour, even with a mild hangover.
02 -
  • Dress the salad right before serving or the greens will wilt and the apples will start to brown.
  • If your apples are tart, add an extra teaspoon of honey to the dressing to bring everything into balance.
03 -
  • Toast your nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for three minutes, shaking often, until they smell nutty and turn golden.
  • If you're making this ahead for a gathering, pack the dressing separately and let everyone dress their own portions to keep things crisp.
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