Summer Into Fall {Recipe: Chicken Salad With Apples and Pecans}

One foot is in fall and the other is still in summer. This is a variation on the Chicken Salad I usually make (https://motheralwaystoldme.blogspot.com/2019/07/salad-worth-fighting-over-recipe.html) using apples and pecans rather than grapes and cashews. This is perfect for when it is still hot out, but ready for fall. Apples always makes me think of fall. 

Chicken Salad With Apples and Pecans

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 4 boneless skinless thighs OR a combination of both
seasoned salt
poultry seasoning 
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
3/4 cup chopped apple (cosmic crisp, honey crisp or your favorite apple)
3 hard boiled eggs, chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise 
1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
1 tsp of your favorite prepared mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon finely ground pepper, or to taste
chopped pecan pieces, optional

Season chicken with seasoned salt and poultry seasoning*; set aside.  Coat a large sauté pan or frying pan with vegetable cooking spray or enough vegetable oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Preheat pan over medium heat, then add seasoned chicken. Brown chicken on both sides. Check internal temperature of the chicken with an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken. If the internal temperature has not reached 165ºF, reduce the heat to low, cover and continue to cook until the internal temperature reaches 165º. Once chicken is done, place it on a plate and set it aside to cool. Dice the chicken once it has cooled. Place chicken in a medium size mixing bowl, along with onion, apple, and eggs; set aside. In a small mixing bowl, stir together mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, mustard, salt and pepper. Add mayonnaise mixture to the chicken mixture; stir until well combined. Refrigerate until serving. This can be served as a sandwich or on a bed of your favorite greens. If desired, sprinkle chopped pecan pieces, or other chopped nuts on top of the chicken salad. 

*I don't have exact measurements for the amount of seasoned salt snd poultry seasoning, I just sprinkle some on until it looks well seasoned. An estimate of the amounts would be about 1/2 teaspoon and 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning.  

Enjoy!