Master Summer Meals with an Apple and Mandarin Macaroni Salad

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 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

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Allow chicken breasts to sit at room temperature 20 minutes.
• Mash softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, chopped shallot, lemon zest, lemon juice, 3 tablespoons reserved mandarin juice, chopped parsley, salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Preheat grill or saute pan to high heat. Season chicken breasts with drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper, to taste.
• 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.
• Bring medium or large pot of salted water to boil. Add macaroni and cook until tender. Drain and pour hot noodles into large mixing bowl.
• Gently stir in cream cheese mixture until noodles are well coated. Let cool slightly.
• Add diced chicken, apples and mandarin oranges; stir to combine. Serve warm or chill in refrigerator to serve cold.

READ MORE: Outer Banks Boil signs deal to bring the ‘Best Pot on the Beach’ to the Jersey Shore