Lady Marmalade Chicken Salad Recipe

Sweet orange marmalade and toasted curry spices elevate this Lady Marmalade chicken salad to a sophisticated favorite you’ll always want at the heart of your brunch table. It’s delicious with toasted naan bread, buttery croissants, a crisp bed of butter lettuce, a cold glass of sparkling cider; in fact most things.

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Lady Marmalade Chicken Salad Recipe Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
• Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 3 tablespoons orange marmalade (divided)
• 1 medium shallot, minced
• 1 green apple, diced
• 1 cup red seedless grapes, halved
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 cup low-fat Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon canola or peanut oil
• 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds (or cumin seeds)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 2 tablespoons roasted salted cashews, chopped
• Fresh cilantro leaves, for sprinkling

How To Make Lady Marmalade Chicken Salad Recipe

1. Roast the chicken: Preheat your oven to $425^circ F$ ($220^circ C$). Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup. Place the chicken breasts on the foil, drizzle with olive oil, and season generously with salt and pepper. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes until a meat thermometer registers $150^circ F$ ($65^circ C$).
2. The marmalade glaze: Switch the oven to the broiler setting. Brush 1 tablespoon of orange marmalade over each chicken breast. Broil for about 5 minutes, brushing occasionally with the pan drippings, until the chicken is golden, glazed, and cooked through to $165^circ F$ ($74^circ C$). Set the chicken aside to cool.
3. Build the creamy base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the well-mixed Greek yogurt, the remaining 1 tablespoon of marmalade, minced shallot, diced apple, halved grapes, and lime juice. Season with $1/2$ teaspoon of salt. The yogurt provides a tangy, lighter alternative to traditional mayonnaise.
4. Bloom the spices: Heat the canola or peanut oil in a small skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the mustard seeds and minced garlic. Cook until the seeds stop popping (you may want to cover the pan briefly). Quickly stir in the curry powder for 30 seconds until fragrant, then immediately pour this hot, spiced oil over the yogurt mixture. Stir well to combine the toasted flavors into the dressing.
5. Assemble and garnish: Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, thinly slice it against the grain. Gently fold the chicken slices into the salad. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper as needed. Top with the chopped cashews and a generous sprinkle of fresh cilantro just before serving for maximum crunch and brightness.

Recipe Tips

• Thermometer Precision: For the juiciest chicken, pulling it out at $150^circ F$ before broiling is essential. The high heat of the broiler finishes the cooking while caramelizing the marmalade without drying out the white meat.
• Spice Popping: Mustard seeds can be quite lively when they hit hot oil! Keep a lid handy to prevent them from jumping out of the skillet, but don’t let the garlic burn; it should just be aromatic.
• Apple Choice: Use a tart, crisp apple like a Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. The acidity and firm texture are necessary to balance the sweetness of the grapes and marmalade.
• Nut Texture: Always add the cashews at the very last second. If they sit in the yogurt mixture too long, they will lose their signature “roasted” crunch.

What To Serve With Lady Marmalade Chicken Salad Recipe?

This Lady Marmalade Chicken Salad Recipe is a bold, complex meal that needs a neutral or bready pairing! Warm Garlic Naan or Pita Bread is the quintessential choice for scooping. For a lighter presentation, serving the salad in Large Bibb Lettuce Cups adds a lovely fresh snap that pairs perfectly with the curry notes! A side of Cucumber Ribbon Salad or a glass of Iced Ginger Tea pairs wonderfully with the sweet orange and cilantro notes.

How To Store Lady Marmalade Chicken Salad Recipe

• Refrigerate: Store the salad in an airtight container for up to 2 to 3 days.
• Texture Maintenance: The apples and grapes may release a little moisture over time. Give the salad a quick stir before serving leftovers to re-emulsify the yogurt dressing.
• Avoid Freezing: This salad does not freeze well. The Greek yogurt will separate and the fresh fruits will become mushy upon thawing.

Lady Marmalade Chicken Salad Recipe Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 320 kcal (per serving)
• Total Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg
• Sodium: 540 mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Sugar: 16 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Fiber: 2 g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on specific brands of yogurt and marmalade used.

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