Spinach Chicken Salad Sandwich Recipe

Prepare chicken

If not already cooked, poach, roast, or use rotisserie chicken. Cool and shred or chop into small bite-sized pieces until you have about 2 cups.

Mix dressing

In a medium bowl combine 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Whisk until smooth.

Season the dressing with 3/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Add finely diced 1/2 cup celery and 2 tablespoons minced red onion to the dressing and stir to combine.

Fold the 2 cups chopped/shredded chicken into the dressing mixture until evenly coated. Refrigerate for at least 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld (up to 2 hours).

Prepare spinach by rinsing and drying thoroughly. Chop leaves roughly and then lightly pack to measure 2 cups. If using baby spinach, a rough chop improves texture in the sandwich.

If using, core and small-dice 1/2 cup green apple. Lightly toast 1/4 cup walnuts or pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat 2–3 minutes until fragrant (watch carefully) then chop. Gather 2 tablespoons dried cranberries if using.

Fold the chopped spinach, diced apple, toasted nuts and dried cranberries into the dressed chicken mixture until evenly distributed. Taste and add additional salt/pepper or lemon if desired.

If toasting bread, preheat a skillet or griddle over medium. Lightly butter or brush 8 slices of bread with 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil. Toast slices 1–2 minutes per side until golden and crisp.

Lay out 4 bottom slices. Place a lettuce leaf or a small bed of extra spinach on each bottom slice to protect the bread from moisture.

Portion the chicken-spinach mixture evenly onto the 4 bottom slices (about 1/2 cup to 2/3 cup per sandwich, depending on preference). Add tomato slices if using.

Top with remaining bread slices. Press gently, cut sandwiches in half if desired, and serve immediately. Leftover filling can be refrigerated up to 3 days.