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Best Broccoli Salad Recipe

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★★★★

3.9 from 81 reviews

A refreshing and crunchy broccoli salad featuring a creamy apple cider vinegar dressing, tender chicken, sweet dried cranberries, and toasted almonds, perfect for a light lunch or a side dish at gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Dressing

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1½ tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Salad

  • 1⅓ lbs broccoli florets, finely chopped into bite-size pieces
  • Cooked crispy chicken, chopped (quantity as preferred, approximately 1 cup)
  • ⅓ cup chopped red onion
  • ½ cup sweetened dried cranberries
  • ⅓ cup sliced almonds

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, granulated sugar, apple cider vinegar, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth and well combined.
  2. Combine salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the finely chopped broccoli florets, chopped crispy cooked chicken, chopped red onion, dried cranberries, and sliced almonds. Toss gently to mix all ingredients evenly.
  3. Dress the salad: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the broccoli mixture. Toss thoroughly to coat every ingredient with the dressing.
  4. Chill the salad: Cover the salad bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and the broccoli to slightly soften.
  5. Serve: Before serving, give the salad one final toss to redistribute the dressing evenly. Serve chilled for best taste and texture.

Notes

  • For extra crunch, toast the sliced almonds lightly before adding them to the salad.
  • Use fresh broccoli and chop it finely to ensure each bite has good flavor and texture.
  • The crispy cooked chicken adds protein and variety, but you can omit or substitute it with turkey or tofu for different dietary needs.
  • The salad is best served chilled and can be prepared a few hours ahead of time.
  • Adjust sugar amount in the dressing to suit your preferred level of sweetness.

Keywords: broccoli salad, chicken broccoli salad, easy salad recipe, healthy salad, picnic salad, side dish, make ahead salad

Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/best-broccoli-salad-recipe/