O.K. everybody calm down. It's a bold claim, I know. But this really is a great recipe. Perhaps the best curry chicken salad recipe in the land. Chicken, apples, mayo, curry, toasted pecans, celery and raisins. I know. You don't like raisins, right? You can use cranberries if you want.
The first time I made this curry chicken salad, I dreamed about it for the next 3 days. The same way I dream about french fries and having a big toe that isn't plagued with a bunion.
I originally got the recipe years ago from a guy who was a Crossfit super-enthusiast. And by Crossfit super-enthusiast I mean any person who has ever done more than one Crossfit class. If a person takes one class and THEN they think it's a good decision to go back for a second Crossfit class, they're automatically a deranged Crossfit enthusiast who will commit to it with a cult-like fervour.
The same guy is where I got my No Cook Hippie Dippy Cookie recipe from. I took one Crossfit class about a decade ago and the best things I got out of it were these two recipes from the gym owner.
I serve this chicken salad cold on a leaf of romaine lettuce (like a leafy pita) which is a habit I got into after the crossfitting lunatic nice guy from the gym, decided limiting carbs was a great idea.
Because of how blindly I follow the instructions of someone with a 6 pack, I don't ever eat this salad on bread. Only lettuce. Usually.
Gather your ingredients Martha Stewart-style. Get everything ready to go. You're going to be working with apples, celery, grilled chicken, and lots of other good stuff. The full printable recipe is at the bottom of the post.
Curry Chicken Salad Ingredients
- chicken
- celery
- apples
- raisins
- pecans
- mayo
- cayenne
- curry
- s&p
This chicken salad is filled with everything good. Things that are crispy, chewy, sweet, tart, creamy and crunchy.
It's the easiest recipe to make because there's no cooking, it's a dice and dump recipe.You dice your apple, celery, chicken and pecans then mix everything together and that's it, it's done.
Adjust the spices so they're how you like them. Love curry? Add more curry. Love heat? Add more cayenne. Like it creamier? Add more mayo. Watching calories? Add less.
Now let's talk about raisins. Apparently some of you don't like them. I don't know why, but I'm not here to judge.
If you don't like raisins use dried cranberries.
Add salt & pepper. You know. To taste.
Serve and enjoy.
Only 500 calories per meal if eaten on lettuce leaves.
The Best Curry Chicken Salad You'll Ever Eat
Ingredients
- 1 cooked chicken breast chopped
- 1 stalk celery chopped
- ½ a red apple diced small
- ¼ cup toasted pecans chopped
- ¼ cup raisins
- ¼ cup mayonnaise to start
- ¼ tsp. curry powder
- ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in bowl and mix.
- Add additional mayonnaise or spices to taste.
Nutrition
Now before you go squinching your nose up at chicken salad wrapped in a lettuce leaf as opposed to a pita or bread, I have to say, in the lettuce's defence, that the crunch it has makes up for the lack of carbs. I honestly prefer it this way now. Also because you're eating this on a lettuce leaf instead of two hunks of bread, you feel full but not as grossly full after eating it. Which means you have room to eat ice cream for dessert.
Honestly. The crispness of the lettuce against the creaminess of the mayonnaise is wonderfully delicious. The flavours of the salad are all very distinct. The slight hints of curry and cayenne pepper are met with the odd sweet burst of apple and raisin. Add in the freshness of the celery and the crunch of the toasted pecans and you have the perfect Curry Chicken Salad.
Sweet dreams.
Claire
I just tried this! It was so good! I didn't have pecans so I used toasted walnuts instead. I also used dried cranberries instead of raisins. Great recipe! Yum!!!
Susan
Thank you Karen, this curry chicken salad is so, so good. I love the curry with the cayenne pepper. it makes me look forward to summer=) I didn't have cashews or raisins but used cranberries and I still loved it. Thx for sharing!
Karen
Thanks Susan. I'm sure it's great with cranberries. Same idea anyway. A bit of sweetness. Definitely try it with the nuts though! (pecans) The crunch is great. ~ karen!
Tamara
So! I was searching for a curried chicken salad recipe because I LOVE it, but it's usually too many calories, and I'm trying to slim down and develop a healthier lifestyle. LOVE this recipe. I didn't use raisins, but I added red grapes. I also didn't have chicken breasts... so I swung on over to Sam's Club, bought a $5 rotisserie chicken and used the breast meat from that. Made about 4 servings (1 cup each).... I eat it on lettuce and I'm in heaven. Thank you!
Karen
You're welcome Tamara! I love the recipe too and most of the time I just stand at the counter and eat it out of the bowl, lol. ~ karen!
Kathy
I just tried this for the first time and wow! I didn't think I'd like the curry, but a hint of curry is perfect and the "give it a few seconds to kick in" cayenne pepper is fantastic. I made this today for my 89 year old neighbor who hates bland food...I'm sure she'll like it! I had to leave out the raisins because she hates them, but next time they'll go in. Thanks for the recipe.
Karen
You're welcome Kathy! If she doesn't like raisins ask if she likes dried cranberries. They'd work well too. ~ karen!
Kathy
Unfortunately, she doesn't like any dried fruit...it's hard to cook for her every day and find things she likes. I on the other hand love raisins and dried cranberries lol.
Sue
As an earlier commenter noted, you could indeed write for a food magazine. "Whatever vegetables you have on hand will do. (Just in case you were too stupid or drunk or feeble minded to figure that bit out.)" would have certainly been edited out if you were and these tell-it-like-it-is bits are why I keep coming back to your blog. Thanks for the laugh Karen (and the recipe).
Margaret K.
Glad to know I am not the only one who likes raisins but not IN things. Mystery is why I am OK with dried cranberries in this when I don't like raisins in things.
It IS yummy.
Susan
Karen - Thanks this was fantastic.
I put it in big old scraps of romaine leaves that I had in my spinner, but I think it would be great with the leaves from little gem lettuce -- so I will check at the farmer's market tomorrow.
I didn't have pecans so used walnuts - yum; and I didn't have raisins so I used dried currents which were AMAZING.
I think next time I might reduce the cayenne a bit and increase the curry a bit, and maybe use the yogurt/mayo combo.
Thanks for sharing with all of us.
Karen
You're welcome Susan. Glad you liked it. ANd yes, I often add more curry as well. :) ~ karen!
Stacy
Recipe
Mary Beth
This was delicious. I've made similar recipes before, but I love the addition of the cayenne. This is a fun base to mess around with. I love adding Craisins, grapes, walnuts or whatever I have on hand. And, no, you don't need bread it's so tasty!
Karen
Mary Beth - I love it when people comment on my recipe posts because it reminds me of things I can cook for dinner, LOL. I'll be making this some time this week. Thanks for the reminder. :) ~ karen!
Lizzie
Quick veg hack:
Freeze a 1/2 block of tofu, thaw and squeeze out water, heat a blob of oil in a non stick pan, add spices to oil (start with what's listed here, I add more until the tofu is yellow-ish and not bland), crumble tofu in hot oil, saute until some pieces brown. Then substitute this for the chicken! Not quite the same texture, but still lovely.
Karen
Good tip! I love tofu. ~ karen!
Marilyn
This is very close to a recipe we love that includes pineapple chunks & a scant amount of onion & oil cooked with the curry first to enrich the curry flavor. Walnuts work well, too. We love it with a hot curry!
Jessica
Mmmm.... found your recipe when I was craving the Trader Joe's version of this salad. I made this for dinner tonight with a rotisserie chicken from Costco, since it was 108 degrees today. Used cashews instead of pecans, golden raisins instead of regular and added a little green onion. So tasty!! I may add a little more mayo next time. But there will definitely be a next time. Yum! Thanks for the great recipe and blog.
Karen
Glad you liked it Jessica - Yes, I fiddle around with the mayo. I start with a certain amount and then just keep adding until it seems right. ~ karen!
Lisa N
Amazing! This is a recipe I've moved to my list of staple dishes to prepare - It's "that" good. I smoked a couple hens this weekend and used one of them for this salad. I didn't measure anything but the spices, salt and pepper. I eye-balled the veggies, fruit and chicken. Oh, I substituted black seedless grapes for raisins and tossed in about a 1/3 cup chopped cilantro for freshness. I also tossed in almonds that I medium to finely chopped and toasted. I almost wish I made a double batch and used the second chicky. Thank you for sharing!
Gina
You can also use Greek Yogurt instead of Mayo to make it more healthy. Then mix 1 TB of lemon juice and 1/4-1/2 tsp of curry into the mayo (or yogurt, before blending with the other ingredients. I like to add grapes (sliced) and craisins as well. Enjoy!
Dalora R
I just made this like 10 minutes ago and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! I used flour tortillas,instead of romaine lettuce,and put it in a panini press and it was amazing <3!
Karen
Glad you liked it Dalora! I know, it's good isn't it, LOL! ~ karen
Aeda
Hi Karen, I dont cook. But stumbled on your blog searching for... Dont know what.. Cant remember..oh yeah, searching on 'how to cook by not cooking'. LOL. Anyways, I just want to say that you are very funny! Thanks for making me laugh! Good luck and have a very nice day, week, year... Life? ;)
Karen
Thanks Aeda! I hope you stop by again. I post about lots of things that aren't not cooking related. ;) ~ karen
Anna Oz
Delicious recipe! I also love it served on a hunk of lettuce! Thanks for posting!
Karen
You're welcome. We just had it this Monday! I love it too. :) ~ karen
Anita
I think adding some grated carrots would work well in this recipe. I'm always looking to add vegetables to my diet.
Karen
Anita - Sure! Add or subtract whatever you want. My mother doesn't like raisins so when I make it for her ... no raisins. I happen to think the raisins *make* it! ~ karen
LeeLee
Do the apples go brown when you save left overs? Is it better to cut and add apple the day you eat it?
If you double or triple the recipe (2 or 3 chicken breasts) would you also double or triple the other ingredients (mayo/cayenne/curry)?
Can't wait to try this!
Sounds delish!
Karen
Lee Lee - Funny thing ... I've never had leftovers. Just kidding. :) No I don't notice the apples browning. it could just be because they get coloured from the curry though so you don't notice. But I've made this over and over again and never had an issue with "ick" apples. Yup. If you double the chicken, double the spices, mayo etc. By the way ... now that you've reminded me about it I feel like I could make and eat a batch now. ~ karen!
Karen McKiernan
I made this for lunch today and was really good ~ Karen
Karen
Excellent! ~ karen