Recipe: Back to School Lunch – Creamy Chicken Salad

By Crystal H. Shelton, Senior Scientific Researcher

(Recipe by Diana Keuilian)

For a healthy back to school lunch, try this Creamy Chicken Salad. It’s dairy & mayonnaise free, easy to make and your kids will love it!

Ingredients:                           

Creamy Coconut Dressing
•1 (14oz) can coconut milk, full fat
•¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
•1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
•1 Tablespoon coconut oil, melted
•⅛teaspoon garlic powder
•Lemon zest (all you can get from one small lemon)
•1 teaspoon lemon juice
•Dash salt
•Dash pepper

Salad
•1 cup celery, finely chopped
•1 cup red grapes, halved
•½ cup pecans, chopped
•1 apple, finely chopped
•4oz can mild chopped green chilies
•1 lb. roasted chicken, chopped

Method:
For the Creamy Coconut Dressing: Combine all of the ingredients in a medium bowl. Whisk well and then set in the fridge to chill while you prepare the salad.
For the Creamy Chicken Salad: Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Add the creamy coconut dressing and mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with large lettuce leaves and Dijon mustard.

Nutrition:
Calories: 286     Fat: 20 g     Carbohydrates: 6 g     Sodium: 80 mg     Fiber: 2 g     Protein: 19 g