Chicken, Apple and Smoked Gouda Salad

What's for dinner?? Every mom's favorite 6 o'clock question.

I wanted to make a salad Sheri found in Southern Living Magazine. Jake's response? Not enough of a man-salad to interest him. He wanted "5 Guys Burgers and Fries". One of his favorite places to eat dinner. I couldn't do it. Last time I ate there, I felt like I was going to give birth to a 10 lb. brick.

It was a stand-off.

In the end, he got a greasy burger and fries. I got a fresh salad, loaded with greens, crisp apples and celery, moist chicken, sweet Craisins and crunchy roasted cashews. Oh did I mention the fresh home made honey mustard basil dressing? Yum.

Chicken, Apple, and Smoked Gouda Salad

adapted from Southern Living Magazine

print recipe

2 Gala apples, thinly sliced (about 1 lb.)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 (6-oz.) package baby spinach and spring greens mix
3 cups chopped, cooked chicken
1/2 of a small red onion, sliced thin
1 1/2 cups (6 oz.) shredded smoked Gouda cheese
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced celery
1 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1 cup salted cashews or pecans

Honey-Mustard Dressing:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup cider vinegar

1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup yellow mustard
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
2-3 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper (optional)
dash salt

For Salad:

Toss apple slices with lemon juice.

Layer salad greens, apples, chicken, and next 5 ingredients in a large glass bowl. Serve immediately, or cover and chill up to 8 hours.

For Dressing:

Whisk together all dressing ingredients, or use immersion blender, and blend until combined.

Toss salad with 1/4 cup Honey-Mustard Dressing just before serving. Or, layer salads on individual plates and drizzle with dressing.

Tips:

-One small Rotisserie chicken may be subbed for the 3 cups cooked chicken.

-I prefer to plate the salad individually, and dress each salad.

-The original dressing recipe calls for 1 cup of mayo. Waaay too much mayo for my taste. I halved the mayo and added some vinegar. Still a creamy dressing, just not as rich.

-Sheri used pears instead of apples. Perfect for pear season!

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