Apple and Mandarin Macaroni Salad

This recipe calls for firing up the grill to cook chicken to juicy perfection, mixing your own homemade macaroni salad and dicing up a beautiful apple, making it an ideal dinner option for summer evenings at home.

(Family Features) Skip boring dishes and instead dive into a sweet, satisfying macaroni salad that's perfect for enjoying al fresco.

With fresh ingredients and appetizing flavor, this Apple and Mandarin Macaroni Salad is more than just a side - it's a meal on its own. Grilled chicken breast is complemented by mandarin oranges and the sophisticated sweetness and crisp texture of Envy apples. Named America's No. 1 apple for taste, crispness, aroma and appearance, according to an independent sensory test by Forward Agency, the apples are a delightful way to enhance your favorite dishes.

Ingredients

• 2 thinly sliced chicken breasts
• 1/2 package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped shallot
• 1 lemon, zest only
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 (10.7 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained, juice reserved
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, + additional, to taste, divided
• 20 turns fresh cracked pepper, + additional, to taste, divided
• Water
• 1/2 pound macaroni
• 1 Envy apple, diced

Instructions

1. Allow chicken breasts to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.
2. Mash softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, chopped shallot, lemon zest, lemon juice, 3 tablespoons reserved mandarin juice, chopped parsley, salt and pepper. Set aside.
3. Preheat grill or sauté pan to high heat. Season chicken breasts with drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper, to taste.
4. Grill chicken breasts until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. If using saute pan, cook for 2 minutes on each side then finish in 400 degrees F oven for 5 to 10 minutes. Allow chicken to cool then dice into small chunks.
5. Bring medium or large pot of salted water to boil. Add macaroni and cook until tender. Drain and pour hot noodles into large mixing bowl.
6. Gently stir in cream cheese mixture until noodles are well coated. Let cool slightly.
7. Add diced chicken, apples and mandarin oranges; stir to combine.
8. Serve warm or chill in refrigerator to serve cold.

Attribution

Envy Apples