These Crunchy Sweet Chicken Salad Sandwiches are packed with texture and great flavor. A wholesome but super satisfying lunch idea for people of all ages.
After raising four little ones, I found some tricks along the way to incorporate healthy items into their meals. They might say “I don’t like tomatoes” or “I hate onions” when many times it’s a textural, not a taste thing. In reality, they probably love the flavors of many of the foods they think they despise. My answer to this is dicing. They will undoubtedly object if they bite into a sandwich and get a big chunk of the item they’ve decided they don’t like, but when you dice it, it’s more about adding flavor. Sneaky but effective.
I believe in including these items in their meals as often as possible because it helps them develop a more sophisticated, less finicky palate. I had my boys eating all kinds of stuff when they were quite young by using this method and I swear I can pretty much put anything in front of my now grown-up guys and they’ll eat it. They have all developed into quite adventurous eaters.
This is one of my favorite versions of chicken salad. It’s got so much going on but it’s fast and easy to throw together thanks to store-bought rotisserie chicken. Always such a great time-saver.
The lemony, lightened up dressing is just heavenly.
It starts with a mixture of non-fat Greek Yogurt and mayonnaise. I always use light mayo but use what you have on hand. A little Dijon mustard and the juice and zest of a fresh lemon brighten up the flavor and natural sweetness comes from chopped dried cranberries. We’ve also got some diced red onion, celery, and add a little salt and pepper to taste.
Bagged broccoli slaw makes for a great sandwich or wrap topping and adds even more fiber and great nutrition to this sandwich. Use any leftovers to throw into salads or add coleslaw dressing for a great summery side dish. You can substitute lettuce or leave it out altogether if you have very small children that might object. But trust me, don’t leave it off the sandwich you make for yourself.
For the chicken, I used the breast portion of a store-bought rotisserie chicken. Easy peasy. Just remove and discard the skin and pull the meat off the bone. Shred it with your hands. You should have about 2-1/2 cups shredded chicken. Save the remaining dark meat for another purpose.
The shredded chicken and some toasted walnuts are mixed into the amazing dressing and you are ready to make lunch. I’d recommend mixing this up the night before and keep it covered in the fridge overnight to save time. The flavor will only improve with some time in the fridge.
Layer the bread with the chicken salad and top it with some of the broccoli slaw. It’s also wonderful rolled into wraps.
This is not your typical tired peanut butter and jelly bag lunch. It’s fresh, healthy, and full of flavor.
Crunchy Sweet Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Crunchy Sweet Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken breast, skin removed
- 1/2 cup toasted walnuts, chopped (optional)
- 1/2 cup non-fat plain Greek Yogurt
- 1/2 cup light mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 1/3 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 zested and juiced lemon
- salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
- sandwich bread or wraps
- 1 cup packaged broccoli slaw
Instructions
- Remove and discard the skin from the breast portion of the rotisserie chicken. Pull white breast meat from the chicken to a cutting board and use your hands to shred it. You should have approximately 2-1/2 cups shredded chicken. Reserve dark meat for another purpose.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place 1/3 cup walnuts in a small baking dish and bake for 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly toasted. Remove from oven and set aside until cool enough to handle. Chop walnuts and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl combine Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, chopped dried cranberries, celery, red onion, lemon juice and zest, salt and pepper. Mix well to combine. Add shredded chicken and chopped walnuts and mix until well combined.
- Divide mixture between the sandwich bread or wraps. Top with some of the broccoli slaw. Serve immediately or place in an airtight container in a chilled thermal bag to send to school with your child for lunch.
- Adapted from Foodnetwork.com
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated using generic ingredients, and is an estimate not a guarantee. For more accurate results, please refer to the labels on your ingredients at home.
I tried this and loved it!! I made a couple changes due to taste and what I had available. I used Miracle Whip instead of Mayo, grilled a chicken breast in my convection oven for the chicken, halved the recipe since I was only making it for myself for lunches, used bottled lemon juice (sorry, I never have fresh lemons on hand), and I didn’t use the chopped walnuts – I would have loved this, but didn’t have any – I just ran out the other day! It was delicious, and I especally loved the broccoli slaw and the greek yogurt!!! I am a huge greek yogurt fan and try to use it in recipes as often as possible, but I had never thought to use it this way, as a sandwich “sauce.” Thanks so much Valorie for this recipe and for the awesome info and recipes you have for us!
That’s great Cheryl! I just love that chicken salad.
Chicken Salad in favorite, this one must be outstanding yummy.
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By the way, I love the fine dicing idea. All my life I hated onions, but I have discovered as an adult that I love the flavor they add when finely diced. My mother always put huge chunks of them, or slices, in our food, and it was just to strong for me. So take it from one whose mother didn’t know the trick – the dicing works!
I can’t wait to try your chicken salad, it looks so yummy, and easy! And I totally need the camera, I’ve been taking my pics on a phone camera!
I believe in the same philosophy as you and so happy to hear your success story in raising your 4 children with all kinds of food! 🙂 All of your dishes look really delicious and I love learning your dishes! This sandwich looks so delicious and healthy!
Yummy food and a giveaway, score!!! giggle. I invite you to enter my giveaway too. Hugs from a happy follower.
I love taking as many pictures as I can of my grandchildren. I love all the little expressions.
I really could use anew camera. Mine doesn’t work very good anymore. Hope I win!!!!!!!!
I’ve been learning the same about my kids! They’ve been eating onions in most meals their whole life and all of a sudden it’s becoming a “topic” lol. This chicken salad looks so good and fresh! I’d love to have it for lunch!