Description
This Apple Chicken Salad is a fresh and satisfying combination of tender chicken, crisp apples, crunchy celery, and a creamy dressing. Perfect for sandwiches, wraps, meal prep lunches, or serving over a bed of greens. The salad balances sweet and savory flavors with a delightful crunch, making it a versatile and delicious dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded
- 2 medium apples, diced (Honeycrisp or Gala work well)
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- ½ cup seedless grapes, halved (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, diced apples, chopped celery, finely diced red onion, halved grapes if using, and chopped pecans or walnuts. Mix gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt or sour cream, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well blended. This creamy dressing brings all the flavors together with a tangy and savory touch.
- Mix Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the chicken and fruit mixture. Stir gently but thoroughly until every ingredient is evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
- Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and the salad to develop its full taste.
- Serve: Serve the apple chicken salad chilled on croissants, sandwich bread, lettuce wraps, or over a bed of mixed greens, making it perfect as a meal or a hearty snack.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick and convenient prep.
- Pecans add a slight sweetness, whereas walnuts provide a richer, earthier flavor.
- For a lighter version, substitute the mayonnaise with additional Greek yogurt.
- Add dried cranberries for an extra touch of sweetness and chewy texture.
- This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it great for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
