We may not be the Peach State, but there are plenty of sweet and succulent peaches here in Tennessee.
Juicy and ripe, summertime peaches are a Southern staple, and there are more than a few ways to incorporate them into your diet as breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert. From a cold sweet treat to a warm, filling dinner, pick your peaches and give these recipes a whirl.
Peach Chicken Salad
4
servingsSurprise your taste buds with this low-cholesterol chicken salad with a peachy punch.
Ingredients
- 3
medium fresh peaches, peeled and cubed
- 2 cups
chicken breast, cooked and cubed
- 1
medium cucumber, chopped
- 3 tablespoons
red onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup
white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon
lemon juice
- ⅓ cup
sugar
- ¼ cup
fresh mint, minced
- ¼ teaspoon
salt
- ⅛ teaspoon
black pepper
Directions
In a bowl, mix together chicken, cucumber, peaches, and onion; place the mixture aside.
In a blender, add white wine vinegar, sugar, lemon juice, mint, salt, and pepper. Cover the blender and mix until the dressing is smooth.
Add the vinaigrette over the chicken mixture and toss to cover evenly. Cover the salad and refrigerate until cool.
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
- Calories—142 | Total Fat—1g | Saturated Fat—0g | Sodium—167mg | Carbohydrate—28g | Dietary Fiber—2g | Sugar—22.9g | Protein—8g
Facts about Peaches
Did you know?
Peaches and nectarines are so closely related that nectarines will occasionally grow on peach trees and vice versa. The difference lies mostly in the fuzz and a little in the flavor. Peaches are fuzzy while nectarines aren’t, and nectarines have a slight citrus flavor whereas peaches are sweet.
Where do peaches come from?
While you might find some homegrown peaches nearby, the top four peach-producing states are California, South Carolina, Georgia, and New Mexico.
How to pick your peaches
May through September is the best time for peaches in the U.S. with peak months being July and August. Look for peaches that yield to slight pressure, have no bruises or soft spots, and have a rich yellow background color. If the background color is green, especially near the stem, it’s not yet ripe.
