Copycat Trader Joe’s Curried Chicken Salad Recipe
This Copycat Trader Joe’s Curried Chicken Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining tender poached chicken breasts with a creamy curried dressing. Enhanced with crunchy cashews, sweet raisins, fresh green onions, and grated carrot, this salad is perfect for a quick lunch or a tasty picnic treat.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Poaching
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
Dressing
- ¼ cup whole milk Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons mustard
- ½ teaspoon pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon yellow curry powder
Salad Mix-ins
- 3 green onions, sliced
- ½ cup raw cashews
- ½ cup raisins
- 1 cup grated carrot
Instructions
- Poach the chicken: Heat a large pot of water and bring it to a full boil. Add the raw chicken breasts and reduce heat slightly. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes, depending on the thickness, or until the chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken onto a cutting board, chop into cubes, and allow to cool.
- Make the dressing: In a bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, pure maple syrup, and yellow curry powder until well combined and smooth.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the sliced green onions, raw cashews, raisins, grated carrot, and the cooled chopped chicken. Pour the prepared curry dressing over the mixture and toss well until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve the curried chicken salad immediately or refrigerate for later use. Enjoy it on its own, on bread, or with crackers.
Notes
- Poaching time varies with chicken breast thickness; ensure chicken is fully cooked by checking internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- For a creamier salad, you can adjust the yogurt and mayonnaise ratio to your preference.
- Substitute cashews with almonds or walnuts if preferred.
- Raisins add natural sweetness; for less sweetness, reduce the amount or omit.
- This salad can be made a few hours ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator to allow flavors to meld.
