Curried Chicken and Virginia Grape Salad

Kath Younger (Charlottesville, Virginia)

Serves 2

Sweet grapes are indigenous to Virginia, but you can replace them with your favorite local vine-ripened beauties for this recipe. If you enjoy a savory chicken salad that combines sweet, earthy, creamy, and spicy flavors, then you must try this one.

Story by Chef Nicole

2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded

1 stalk celery, thinly sliced

10 grapes, halved

⅓ cup diced Golden Delicious apple

1½ tablespoons chopped pecan (see Chef’s Tips on nuts and seeds, this page)

1 tablespoon dried cranberries

2 tablespoons Greek yogurt

½ tablespoon light mayonnaise

½ teaspoon curry powder

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon mustard seeds

Crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Refrigerate before serving. Serve on bread or a bed of lettuce.