Featured Recipe
Chicken Cheese Apple Sandwich
By Kate
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Shredded chicken mixed with a tangy cream cheese base, sharp cheddar, chopped pickles and dried cranberries. Spiced with whole-grain mustard, tarragon, and garlic powder. Layered with peppery arugula and thin apple slices on toasted white bread. Simple assembly, vibrant flavors and contrasting textures. A lunch staple with a crunch from fresh apples and subtle tartness from pickled elements.
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Prep:
35 min
Cook:
0 min
Total:
35 min
Serves:
4 sandwiches
chicken
apple
easy lunch
sandwiches
Introduction
Chicken salad—nothing new, but detail. Toss shredded chicken not just with cream cheese but a firm backbone of sharp cheddar to cut richness. Cream cheese for creaminess, cheddar for bite. Pickles chopped fine so no one part dominates but you get that punch. Dried cherries instead of cranberries; deeper, more tart. Dijon replaces whole grain mustard to sharpen edges, toggling spice. Tarragon gives anise brightness; garlic powder adds background savory note. Toast bread for crunch, thin spread mustard for bite balance. Arugula peppery. Granny Smith apple thinly sliced for crisp texture, bright acidity. Snap and crackle when biting. Texture contrast key. Assemble and slice. Practical to pack with parchment. Keep apples crisp by adding last minute or wrapping separately. Too much moisture and bread soggy. Prep multitasking—a bowl with chicken mix while bread toasts. No sitting time needed. Smell the garlic, taste complexity right away. Lunch sorted.
Ingredients
About the ingredients
Quantities pared down slightly for better balance. Chicken 285g—not too dry, not overly moist. Softer cream cheese lends binding but not mush. Sharp cheddar reduced to keep cheese bite strong but not overwhelming. Pickle quantity cut back to keep acidity right; chopped fine to spread flavor evenly. Swapped dried cranberries for dried cherries; cherries bring richer tartness and chewiness. Dijon mustard offers more sharpness than whole grain; mustard amount reduced to avoid overpowering. Tarragon cut back to avoid herbal bitterness; garlic powder nudged up for enhanced aroma. Bread white; toasting necessary to prevent sogginess. Arugula quantity adjusted for sandwich height. Using Granny Smith over Empire adds tarter crunch, better contrast with creaminess.
Method
Technique Tips
Key: mixing chicken components until creamy but textured keeps bite. Seasoning salt and pepper generous to round flavors; don’t skimp. Toast bread well—look for golden edges and firm but bendable crumb. Mustard spread thin—too thick makes bread soggy. Layer ingredients without overloading to keep sandwich manageable. Press lightly on sandwich to seal but don’t flatten into a loaf; keeps texture contrast. Slice diagonally for better handling and aesthetics. Serve immediately or wrap in parchment to keep shape; avoid plastic which traps moisture. Add apple slices last minute or store separately to prevent limpness. Watch sandwich after sitting; sogginess happens fast with apple moisture. For busy cooks: prep salad mix ahead, toast bread just before assembly. Simple swap backs: if no tarragon, use fresh thyme. No dried cherries? Use raisins or extra cranberries but soak briefly to soften. If bread too thick, toast gently at lower heat to avoid dryness. For sturdier sandwich, double toast or use sourdough.
Chef's Notes
- 💡 Mix fillings till creamy but still has some texture. Allows flavors to meld. Must season generously with salt and pepper. Balance is key. Adjust mustard if needed.
- 💡 Toast bread well. Look for golden edges, firm but bendable. Even heat helps avoid sogginess. Warm, crispy bread absorbs flavors better. Crucial step in assembly.
- 💡 Keep mustard layer thin. Too much makes soggy mess. Each bite needs balance not overwhelming flavor. Mustard adds bite without drowning the other elements.
- 💡 Layer arugula and apple slices properly. Thin apple slices are crucial—avoid those thick ones weighing down the sandwich. Even distribution helps with each bite.
- 💡 Wrap sandwiches in parchment. Better than plastic. Keeps shape intact. If making ahead, store apples separate to maintain crunch. Soggy sandwiches aren't appetizing.
