Recently, I was the winner of Mimi’s, Mimi’s Kitchen, Girard’s Dressings giveaway. We have been using Girard’s Light Champagne Dressing for a couple of years now and we love it. So I was excited to try some of their other flavors.
Mimi posted several great salad recipes on her giveaway post, including this one for Chicken Apple Salad. She used Girard ‘s Apple Poppy Seed dressing and it is a perfect fit for this salad. It is sweet, like a raspberry vinaigrette, but light and really compliments the fruits in the salad.
I changed up Mimi’s salad a bit. I used green onions and Parmesan and added the candied walnuts I fell in love with posted on Our Best Bites. As with most salad recipes, it’s easy to make it your own and use whatever flavors/ingredients you like. I served this as a main dish with some hearty whole grain rolls.
Chicken Apple Salad with Candied Walnuts
Ingredients
- ½ c. chopped walnuts
- ¼ c. sugar
- 2 chicken breasts grilled and diced
- 4 slices of pre-cooked bacon chopped
- 2 cups mixed greens
- 2 green onions chopped
- ½ cup chopped celery
- ½ cup dried cranberries Craisins
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 3 oz. package apple chips
Instructions
- Combine the walnuts and sugar in a medium skillet. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until the sugar starts to liquefy. Continue stirring constantly until the liquid reaches a golden color and coats the nuts.
- Remove from heat and spread candied nuts onto a greased cookie sheet or plate and allow to cool completely. Stir occasionally as it cools to break up large pieces.
- Toss remaining ingredients in a bowl and serve with your favorite dressing. I used the Girard's Apple Poppy Seed dressing.
I also made a spaghetti toss recipe that came with the dressings. It used the creamy balsamic vinaigrette, which was delicious as well and would be perfect for any pasta salad. Thanks Mimi for hosting the giveaway!
Other salad recipes you might like:
Perfect Pasta Salad, Barbara Bakes
Coucous Salad, Mimi’s Kitchen
Spinach Mandarin Poppy Seed Salad, Our Best Bites
Greek Chicken Pasta Salad, Wives with Knives
Barbara
Great way to use your giveaway prize, Barbara! I love mixing apples, walnuts and chicken. Last time I made this I used some gorgonzola….and I’m also going to use the dried cranberries too. Girards makes really good products!
Sarah, Maison Cupcake
Sounds like a marvellous combination. Well done on your win, it’s always exciting to get presents in the post.
Asha@FSK
Lovely salad Barbara. I love combining fruits and meat and in apple season, this is such a perfect Fall salad! 🙂
Joy
Hmmm That looks so good.
Bonnie
I could eat this salad year round. I am not quite ready to give them up yet, so thanks for another great recipe.
Sue
Barbara, I love this kind of salad! A meal in itself!
Olive
this salad is so delicious! I love the addition of candied walnuts.. 🙂
Reeni
What a delicious salad Barbara! I love the flavors. And the walnuts make it extra special.
Evan @swEEts
I really need to try and find these salad dressings.. this salad looks delicious.. simple yet fabulous ingredients!
April
This looks like my kind of salad!! It looks delicious!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
That salad looks amazing mum! And we’re getting into warm weather which means salads galore for me! 😀 xxx
Kendra
Barbara this salad looks delicious! I will be trying it soon:) I love the way you posted your recipe…and the print button. I would love to know how you do it!!
Gera@SweetsFoodsBlog
Nothing better than salads with candied nuts and apple so sizzling!
Cheers,
Gera
Maria
I love the candied walnuts in there! Great salad!
elra
Candied walnut make me want to eat this salad right away 🙂
Judy
I love anything with candied nuts… can’t wait to try this one!
Eliana
What a wonderful salad. Sounds so well rounded and delicious!
Jessica @ How Sweet
Love this – it sounds perfect for my lunches!
Mags
What a delicious looking salad. I’ll be on the lookout for that dressing for sure.
Jamie
Savory, sweet and nutty is wonderful! This is such a fabulous salad, Barbara! The flavors, freshness and textures are perfect!