Awesome Bacon Apple Chicken Salad - Whole 30, Paleo, No Added Sugar

So let me get this out of the way right now… You don’t have to be on Whole 30 to love this chicken salad.

Author:: Erin Caserio
Publish date:: Aug 29, 2016

So let me get this out of the way right now... You don’t have to be on Whole 30 to love this chicken salad.

I get texts messages on the regular from my friends after they try it and THEY CANNOT GET ENOUGH.

It’s really tasty and I eat it regularly, even when I’m not doing an official Whole 30. It’s also paleo-friendly and contains no added sugar.

Maybe you’re thinking, “DUH. Why would chicken salad have any added sugar?” And that my friend is the gift of Whole 30—discovering all the hidden sugar in things like salad dressings. Such as the salad dressing I used to use for my favorite chicken salad.

Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy sugar. I just prefer it in the obvious delivery systems—cake, cookies, and milk shakes. Can someone combine those three things? Because that would pretty much be my best day ever.

Where was I? OH. Right...chicken salad.

This is my champion “leftovers” recipe. A few key leftovers, mainly chicken and bacon mixed with some fridge and pantry staples and BOOM. You’ve got a healthy meal that you will look forward to eating.

You should see my eyes light up when I’m scanning the fridge and realize that I’ve got all of the ingredients I need for this recipe.

A happy dance might be involved.

It packs up really well for lunch or for a crowd (I would just leave out the almonds until you're ready to serve/eat) so they stay crunchy.

The recipe below serves two. Like I said, it’s a leftovers meal, so if you want to feed a crowd, triple this recipe.

Before we get started, let’s talk mayo. It serves as the dressing base and to keep this Whole 30 compliant, you’ll either need to make your own mayo, or buy a compliant version, like this Avocado Oil Mayo from Primal Kitchen.

Awesome Bacon Chicken Salad - Whole 30, Paleo, No Added Sugar

No. This isn’t a sponsored post. That’s my jar, from my own fridge. And as my friend, Bre puts it, “it’s a game changer.”

Next up—you’re gonna need to toast some almonds. A few minutes in a warm skillet will do the trick. When you can smell the almonds and they get a bit brown, you’re good to go. (Note: this is the kind of task you stay put for. No texting. No running to the mailbox. You’ll burn your nuts.)

Combine your chopped chicken, bacon, and apples with the mayo, salt, onion powder, and garlic powder until it’s well coated.

Right before serving, add the almonds and the sliced grapes and give it a stir. I leave out the almonds so they don’t get soft, and the grapes so they don’t get too beat up.

Now you’re ready to enjoy!

A delicious Whole 30, Paleo-friendly dish that will make your tastebuds SIIIING.

AWESOME BACON APPLE CHICKEN SALAD - Whole 30, Paleo, No Added Sugar
Serves 2

INGREDIENTS
1 ½ Cup chicken, shredded or cubed
1 slice bacon, chopped*
½ Cup apple, chopped
⅓ Cup red grapes, sliced
2 Tablespoons toasted sliced almonds
⅓ Cup mayo
¼ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon onion powder
Dash of garlic powder

DIRECTIONS
1. Toast almonds. A few minutes in a warm skillet will do the trick. When you can smell the almonds and they get a bit brown, you’re good to go.
2. Combine your chopped chicken, bacon, and apples with the mayo, salt, onion powder, and garlic powder until it’s well coated.
3. Right before serving, add the almonds and the sliced grapes and give it a stir. I leave out the almonds so they don’t get soft, and the grapes so they don’t get to beat up.
4. Enjoy!

*To keep this Whole 30 compliant, read your labels!