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Applebee's Apple Walnut Chicken Salad Recipe
Applebee's Apple Walnut Chicken Salad
By Todd Wilbur

Recipe Rating: 5.0 (6 reviews)
 

Menu Description: "A masterwork of flavors. Grilled, marinated chicken breast crowns this fresh mix of delectable greens, crisp Granny Smith apples, rich crumbled bleu cheese and sweet candied walnuts. Tossed in our tangy balsamic vinaigrette."

Sometimes I feel like a C.S.I. To recreate this baby I ordered several of these salads to-go and then sat down with a magnifying glass and carefully picked out each of the bits and pieces and separated them into smaller bowls. Sure this was tedious work, but it made it easy to measure out each ingredient for the most accurate clone recipe. Next, I cooked a ton of chicken, each with different versions of the marinade, until I found the one that worked. The smoky marinade for the chicken here is basically a brine that adds just the right amount of saltiness and flavor through osmosis, so be sure not to let the chicken soak longer than specified. Of course, the lead performer in any salad is the dressing, since it is responsible for much of what you taste. The tangy balsamic vinaigrette is delicious with honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, and tarragon in there. You can make an easy emulsion out of it with a hand mixer. The best part is that you'll end up with leftover vinaigrette that you can use to make a couple more meal-size salads, and then some. Case closed.
 

Source: "Top Secret Restaruant Recipes 3"

Chicken Marinade
3 cups water
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Lisa Ashby  
Submitted on 02/09/10
This is a perfect match!!! I am so happy with it!
Debbie  
Submitted on 08/28/07
I made this salad tonight, it is excellent. I used feta cheese instead of the bleu cheese. Easy to make. Will make this salad more often.
Kellie  
Submitted on 06/19/07
I just purchased this recipe and made it tonight...what a fabulous salad and tastes just like the Applebees version. Great summer salad I will be using for many years to come!
 
Submitted on 11/15/06
The balsamic Vinaigrette is a keeper, great flavor. The candied walnuts are easy to make as long as you follow the directions. Chicken is great. I have added mandarin oranges, avocado, cherry tomatoes and sliced red onions, tossed then sprinkled with parmesan, sometimes leaving out the chicken for a side salad. The best.
ChezGery,Chef in Medford Oegon  
Submitted on 10/10/06
An excellent salad! I've had a variation of this salad that uses "pears" rather than apples:pecans at times rather than walnuts. We have used a reduction of apple cider(2 cups reduced to 1/2) then added to the Balsamic Vinaigrette. Also, kicking it up a notch we added a pinch of red pepper flakes,crumbled, to the Candied nut pieces. TSP recipe is fantastic! You will get raves with this clone!!!
Debbie  
Submitted on 10/10/06
This is the BEST salad!