Chicken-Apricot Salad

By MJH

This innovative salad is delicious as is, or wonderful with your additions! The secret is the dressing, a bright combination of apricots, mustard, and lemon. Make ahead for serving throughout the week on greens, or even as a pita-or-sandwich filling.

Ingredients

• 1 lemon
• 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1 tablespoon grainy mustard
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1/4 cup dried apricots, cut into quarters
• 3 to 4 cups cooked chicken or turkey, chopped
• 1 red apple, unpeeled and chopped
• 4 stalks celery, chopped
• 4 scallions, chopped
• 1/2 head green leaf lettuce

Preparation

Step 1

If the chicken's not already cooked, poach it gently in a little water while you chop and mix everything else.

When it's cooked through, chop it.


Finely grate the peel of a fresh lemon into a large bowl, then juice the lemon into the same bowl (remember to grate the peel first!


Add poppy seeds, mustard, honey, oil and apricots to the bowl, then let apricots soften for at least 15 minutes in this dressing (less time if they are very fresh).


Add the lumpy ingredients and chicken, and mix well.

Serve on a bed of greens.