Description

A quick and delicious Classic Chicken Salad combining tender shredded chicken breast, smoky turkey bacon, crisp celery, green apples, and fresh parsley, all coated in a creamy plant-based mayonnaise dressing with a zesty lemon and mustard kick. Ready in under 20 minutes, this refreshing salad is perfect for lunches, sides, or gatherings and easily customizable to suit your taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Main Ingredients

2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
4 slices smoked turkey bacon

Fresh Vegetables and Fruits

1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
1 cup green apple, diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely minced
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Dressing

1/2 cup mayonnaise (plant-based)
1 teaspoon mustard (natural)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken and Bacon: Start by shredding the cooked chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Cook the smoked turkey bacon in a pan until crisp, then chop it into small strips. These ingredients form the savory base of the salad.
Chop the Fresh Ingredients: Dice the green apples and finely chop the celery, red onion, and fresh parsley. Keeping these pieces small ensures balanced flavor and texture in every bite.
Make the Creamy Dressing: In a bowl, combine the plant-based mayonnaise, natural mustard, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Whisk together until smooth and creamy to create a tangy, rich dressing.
Combine Everything: In a large mixing bowl, gently fold together the shredded chicken, chopped bacon, fresh vegetables, and creamy dressing. Toss carefully to coat all ingredients evenly without crushing the delicate pieces.
Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and chill in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to let the flavors meld. Serve cold or at room temperature for a refreshing meal.

Notes

Use fully cooked chicken like rotisserie or pre-cooked breasts to save time.
Chop all fresh ingredients to uniform sizes for consistent texture.
Adjust the dressing consistency with more lemon juice or grape juice for a lighter, tangier flavor.
Chill the salad before serving to develop deeper flavors.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: No cooking required except for bacon crisping
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 280
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 450mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 12g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 65mg

Keywords: chicken salad, smoked turkey bacon, plant-based mayonnaise, classic chicken salad, quick lunch, healthy salad