Sonoma County Curry Chicken Salad with Walnuts
Description
This is a great salad for entertaining. Guests will love the amazing combination of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 – 3 quarts water
- 1 tablespoon salt (for the cooking water), plus salt to taste, if desired
- 2 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- 1 1/2 cups light mayonnaise
- 2 – 3 tablespoons curry powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black or white pepper
- 1/4 cup mango chutney
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 4 green onions, including the white and green parts, thinly sliced
- 3 cups (about 1 pound) seedless red grapes, cut in half
- 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) chopped toasted California walnuts
- 12 or more leaves butter or red leaf lettuce
- 12 or more orange slices, or wedges
PREPARATION
- To cook the chicken, in a large pan bring the water and salt to a boil over high heat. Add the chicken, then reduce the heat and cook, partially covered, for 15 minutes; the water should simmer gently, not boil hard.
- Remove from heat and set aside for about 30 minutes. Remove the chicken from the cooking liquid and, as soon as it is cool enough to handle, cut it into bite-sized pieces about 1/2-inch across. You will have 6 – 7 cups chicken, more or less. Set aside.
- To make the dressing, in a large bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, curry powder, cumin, mustard, pepper and chutney. Add the grapes, parsley, green onions, walnuts and chicken pieces. Stir and toss with a large spoon to coat everything evenly with the dressing. Taste the salad, and add more curry powder, and salt to taste, if you wish.
- Place each serving of salad on a lettuce leaf and garnish with an orange slice or two.
NUTRITION
- Calories: 350 cal
- Total Fat: 15 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
- Sodium: 340 mg
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Dietary Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 23 g