Mary Berry Smoked Chicken Salad with Walnuts Recipe

Mary Berry Smoked Chicken Salad with Walnuts is a crisp and vibrant dish popular for its balance of savory smoked meat and sweet, juicy fruit. Ideally, the walnuts should be toasted lightly in a dry pan before adding them to the salad to maximize their crunch and nutty flavor.

Mary Berry Smoked Chicken Salad with Walnuts Ingredients

For the Salad

• 4 smoked chicken breasts (skin removed), sliced or cubed
• 3 celery sticks, sliced finely
• 175g (6oz) seedless grapes (green or black), halved
• 50g (2oz) walnut halves, toasted and roughly chopped
• 1 bag mixed salad leaves (e.g., watercress, spinach, and rocket)

For the Dressing

• 4 tbsp good quality mayonnaise
• 4 tbsp natural Greek yogurt (or crème fraîche)
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley or tarragon, chopped (optional)

How To Make Mary Berry Smoked Chicken Salad with Walnuts

1. Toast the walnuts: Place the walnut halves in a dry frying pan over medium heat. Toast them for 2–3 minutes, shaking the pan frequently, until they smell nutty and are lightly golden. Remove from the pan immediately to cool. (Do not leave them in the hot pan or they will burn).
2. Prepare the base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced smoked chicken, sliced celery, and halved grapes.
3. Make the dressing: In a small jug or bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice until smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir in the chopped herbs if using.
4. Combine: Pour the dressing over the chicken, celery, and grape mixture. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated in the creamy sauce.
5. Assemble: Arrange a bed of mixed salad leaves on a large serving platter or individual plates. Pile the creamy chicken mixture on top of the leaves.
6. Garnish: Scatter the cooled, toasted walnuts over the top of the salad just before serving to maintain their crunch.

Recipe Tips

• Smoked Chicken: You can buy ready-smoked chicken breasts in most supermarkets. If you can’t find them, you can use leftover roast chicken, but the “smoked” flavor is the key characteristic of this specific Mary Berry recipe.
• Celery prep: To make the celery less stringy, use a vegetable peeler to peel the convex (curved) side of the stalk before slicing. This removes the tough fibrous strings.
• Dressing balance: Using a mix of mayonnaise and yogurt (half and half) creates a dressing that is creamy but lighter and tangier than using mayonnaise alone.
• Make ahead: You can mix the chicken, veg, and dressing a few hours ahead and keep it in the fridge. However, do not plate it on the salad leaves or add the walnuts until you are ready to serve, or the leaves will wilt and the nuts will soften.

What To Serve With Mary Berry Smoked Chicken Salad with Walnuts

This salad makes a lovely light lunch or starter.

• Crusty Bread: A warm baguette or ciabatta roll.
• New Potatoes: Boiled warm potatoes make it a substantial dinner.
• Avocado: Slices of avocado pair well with the creamy dressing.
• Crisp White Wine: A Chardonnay matches the smoked chicken well.

How To Store Mary Berry Smoked Chicken Salad with Walnuts

• Refrigerate: Store the chicken mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• Freeze: Do not freeze. The salad ingredients (celery, grapes, lettuce) and the dairy dressing will not survive the freezing process.

Mary Berry Smoked Chicken Salad with Walnuts Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 320kcal
• Protein: 28g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Fat: 20g
• Saturates: 3g
• Sugar: 7g
• Salt: 1.1g

Nutrition information is estimated per serving (based on 4 servings).

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Mary Berry Mozzarella, Tomato, and Basil Salad Recipe
• Mary Berry Chickpea and Red Pepper Salad Recipe
• Mary Berry Asparagus and Quails’ Egg Salad Recipe