Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad

Just put this together and it's chilling now for tomorrow's consumption. I detest celery so this salad uses apple in place to get a similar crunch.

• 6 chicken breasts
• 1 t salt
• 3 T white part of scallions
• ~1/3 c mayo
• ~1/3 c yogurt
• 2 t italian seasoning
• 1 c walnuts, toasted
• 1 apple, peeled and chopped
• 1.5 c craisins
• 4 T lemon juice
• salt & pepper

1. In a large bowl, combine 1 quart of water with 1 t salt. Place chicken breasts in bowl and let sit in brine for 10 minutes.
2. In a shallow pan, heat water to a simmer. Add chicken breasts and cook for 12 minutes or until done.
3. Remove the chicken and cool on plate.
4. In a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients.
5. Chop chicken into 1/2" cubes. Add to bowl and toss. 
6. Refrigerate.
7. Serve on lettuce, in tomato cups, or with sliced bread.

Variations

• Use shallots instead of scallions.
• Add curry powder.
• Use fresh tarragon.
• Use white or red wine vinegar, orange juice or champagne instead of lemon juice.
• Add diced red onion.
• Top with freshly chopped herbs (tarragon, chives, green onions, etc).
• Instead of the apple, use celery, carrot, chopped green beans, water chestnut, or cucumber for similar texture.

Take #2

This turned out a lot better - in texture, color and taste.

• 6 chicken breasts
• coarse salt + chicken broth
• 2 small carrots
• 1 tiny cucumber
• ~1/2 c chopped walnuts, toasted
• 1 apple, diced and covered with lemon juice to prevent browning
• 2 green onions, chopped
• chives, chopped
• ~1/2 c yogurt
• ~1/2 c sour cream
• seasoning: oregano, basil, tarragon, parsley
• lemon juice
• 1/2 c craisins

Take #3

6/21/15 Made a giant batch. The chicken breasts were the ginormous kind so used just the 4 in the package. Had to boil them for closer to 20 minutes because they were so thick in parts.

4 giant chicken breasts

1 T salt + water = brine

2 carrots

3 mini cucumbers

1 apple

~1/3 c yogurt

~1/3 c mayo

1/2 c chopped walnuts

lime juice

1/2 c craisins

oregano, parsley, tarragon