I really liked the combination of chicken cashews celery and fruit. However the dressing was too bland for me and the almond flavoring just didn't seem to work. I would make this again but I would add curry to the dressing instead of the almond flavoring.
My family loved it. Left out the apples added more pineapple tidbits added a lg. can of mandarin oranges and glazed the nuts. Didn't use the almond extract added curry powder instead. Good the next day too.
This was such a big hit that anytime we have family get togethers everyone wants me to bring it. So much for potatoe salad. Thanks for this great recipe and for the great reviews I got for making it. Linda
Fabulous recipe!! My only addition to this recipe was green grapes. If you're going to make this a day ahead wait to add the cashews until just before serving so they stay crunchy. I served this at our 30th wedding anniversary open house and people raved about it. I will make this often!!
Excellent -- I took the advice from other raters and it was prefect! Here s what I did: 3 cups cooked pasta shells no cashews 2 full chicken breasts 6 oz pineapple tidbits 1/2 cup reserved pineapple juice 1 big red delicious apple (peels on) 1/3 cup celery 1/3 cup carrots (shredded with a serrated knife) 1 can mandarin oranges 1/2 cup red grapes 1 cup mayonnaise 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 3 tablespoons mint flakes. I also used the remaining pineapple juice and the mandarin orange juice to boil the pasta. Good stuff very pretty! Update: Didn't like next day...
I took this to a "salad supper" and it did not go over well @ all. It was too sweet and the almond extract gave it a funky flavor. Even though no one told me that they didn't like the recipe it was pretty evident when more than half was left. I don't think I'll make this again.
This is a refreshingly different chicken salad. The almond extract adds a wonderful flavor that enhances the apples and the chicken! Thanks for sharing Maggie!
VERY GOOD! I would add more pasta than it calls for. I used red apples and no almond flavoring.. EXCELLENT!
I gave the recipe 3 stars because two of my guests loved it. I didn't. I used Perdue already cooked chicken and that may have been the problem since the flavor of the chicken did battle with the mayo/pineapple juice. The toasted cashews are a MUST to make it edible and I added extra pineapple extra pineapple juice red seedless grapes and yellow apples (unpeeled). It was a lot of work for something I don't want to eat.
