The Healthy Lunchbox {Apricot-Apple Chicken Salad}
Whether you’re packing lunch for yourself, your spouse or kiddos, making lunchtime delicious, nutritious and fun can be a challenge – especially if you’re pressed for ideas and time.
The good news is, making nutritious lunches that your whole family will enjoy doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. A little inspiration and planning is all it takes to whip up healthy wholesome lunches in a snap that are as nutritious, as they are fun to eat and create!
That’s why, I’m sharing just one of the many Healthy Lunchbox Recipes & Ideas you’ll find at The Nourishing Home. It was inspired by my friend Katie’s helpful new book, “The Healthy Lunch Box: Sandwich-free Secrets to Packing a Real Food Lunch” – a wonderful resource of recipes and strategies for integrating lunch packing into your everyday life, so it becomes simple, easy and FUN!
This recipe was also inspired by my two awesome boys, who’ve been helping me pack-up a healthy lunch for them since their first day of school. Like most kids, they know what they like, and have no problem letting me know what they don’t like.
But two secrets I’ve learned to getting kids to expand their culinary horizons is to get your kids in the kitchen with you so they can experience and learn what healthy eating is all about. And the second is, if you keep lunch simple – focusing on just a few healthy ingredients your kids do enjoy – it’s much easier to incorporate new foods in with their favorites to encourage them to try something new.
This easy-to-make recipe is a delicious example of having fun together in the kitchen, and discovering a healthy new favorite that the whole family gets excited to see in their lunchboxes. We hope this inspires your family to work together to make lunchtime simple, healthy, delicious and FUN!
Apricot-Apple Chicken Salad
1 cup diced grilled chicken
1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 cup diced apple
1/4 cup diced fresh (or *dried) apricots
1-2 tbsp mayo
1/8 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/8 tsp dried tarragon
In a medium bowl, add mayo, salt, pepper and tarragon. Mix with a spoon until well blended. Next, add the diced grilled chicken, celery, apple and apricots. Mix until well combined. Serve with your favorite crackers, over a bed of fresh mesclun greens, or stuff in a pita with some lettuce. (*Dried fruits often contain sulfur dioxide, which can be especially problematic for those with asthma and allergies, so be sure to look for sulfur-free dried fruits. Or even better, enjoy fresh fruit instead.)
Joyfully Serving HIM,
Kelly, The Nourishing Home
Fantastic! Lunch box boredom is an issue we struggle with, even though we homeschool!
You’re so welcome! I hope you and your family enjoy this! Appreciate you taking a minute to leave a kind note! Blessings, Kelly
Beautiful. We homeschool and this will be an easy go-to recipe for leftover chicken. I can’t wait to try it next week.
Thanks, Katie! Yes, it’s so easy when you have leftover chicken on hand – roast chicken is really good too! Maybe I should note that. 🙂
Yum, great recipe, Kelly! I love chicken salad but don’t make it often enough. I’ll have to put this on our lunch menu this week 😀
Thanks, Diana! Hope you all enjoy it too! 🙂
I LOVE this idea! Simple and delicious!
Thanks, Ruth! It’s so great to be here sharing! Appreciate your encouraging words!
Believe it or not, I’ve been wanting a chicken salad recipe. This one look delicious!!
Thanks, sweet friend!
Oh Yum. I love Chicken Salad and am always looking for new recipes. Love running into you over here quite by accident!
Thanks, Heather! I am so excited to meet you in person SOON! Praise be to God for how He works in crossing the paths of His children!
I made this last night. We put it on bread, but it was too dry and too big of pieces for a “spread”. We’ll eat the rest with a fork. Tasty. I’ll make again–but with a different dried fruit. TMI, but dried apricots and I do not get along. I don’t know why. Oh, and I used Greek yogurt, not mayo. I love mayo; I just don’t buy it anymore. 🙂 PS – I’m excited about ForTheFamily to continue to grow and bless!
Thank you for your kind note. Greek yogurt is a great substitute for mayo – lots of healthy probiotics and nutrients! And I couldn’t agree more, I pray the Lord will draw more people to FTF so more families can be encouraged! Blessings to you and your family, Kelly