Master Summer with an Apple and Mandarin Macaroni Salad (Video Recipe)

  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.

This recipe calls for firing up the grill to cook the 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.

Visit EnvyApple.com to find apples at a grocer near you.

Apple and Mandarin Macaroni Salad

• 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          can (10.7 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained, juice reserved
• 2          tablespoons finely chopped parsley
• 1          teaspoon kosher salt, plus additional, to taste, divided
• 20        turns fresh cracked pepper, plus additional, to taste, divided
• water
• 1/2       pound macaroni
• 1          Envy apple, diced

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 the grill or saute pan to high heat. Season chicken breasts with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper, to taste.
4. Grill chicken breasts until internal temperature reaches 165 F. If using saute pan, cook 2 minutes on each side then finish in 400 F oven 5-10 minutes. Allow chicken to cool then dice into small chunks.
5. Bring a medium or large pot of salted water to boil. Add macaroni and cook until tender. Drain and pour hot noodles into a 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. Serve warm or chill in refrigerator to serve cold.

SOURCE: Envy Apples