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

• 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.

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