Home > Salads > Salads with Meat > Chicken Salad with Apples Chicken Salad with Apples October 14, 2023 | No Comments SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Jump to Recipe This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. This Chicken Salad with Apples is a true standout, combining the savory flavors of rotisserie chicken with the sweet crunch of apples, and it all comes together with a delicious creamy dressing. Plus, we’re revealing our “secret” trick to keeping the apples in this salad crisp and fresh for days! We’re self-proclaimed chicken salad aficionados. Try some of our favorite variations, like this OG Chicken Salad Recipe, Pesto Chicken Salad, or Curry Chicken Salad. Chicken Salad with Apples With our apple trees going above and beyond this year, we’re all about apple recipes! We’ve perfected this brand-new Apple Cobbler and made this fan-favorite Apple Crumble a few times. And, of course, we’ve made the hubby’s beloved Apple Pie and our breakfast go-to, Apple Bread. Our Apple Coleslaw is going on everything, and heaps of apples are turning into homemade Applesauce! Naturally, we’re stashing apples for this chicken salad too—it’s addictive! Everyone’s raving about it, making it a top lunch request. If you’ve tried chicken salad with grapes (like our healthy version), you know how fruit takes chicken to the next level. Well, this combo is just as amazing! Chicken Salad With Apples Ingredients Salad Rotisserie chicken: Use freshly bought rotisserie chicken for easier prep (it shreds easier when it’s warm!) Grab one slathered with herbs if you can find it! Almonds: Toast them lightly in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty flavor before adding. OR buy pre-toasted! Cranberries/cherries: Opt for unsweetened dried varieties if you prefer a less-sweet meal. Apples: Choose Honeycrisp for a sweet-tart crunch. We like to soak the diced apple in salted water (read all about it in this Caramel Apple Bar post!) Green onions: Slice thinly for a milder flavor; you can skip them if you’re not into onions. Dressing Mayonnaise: Full-fat mayo gives the best creamy texture, but you can go for a low-fat version if desired. Sour cream: Light or fat-free keeps things creamy without extra calories. Honey: Not into honey? Add a touch of white sugar instead. Apple cider vinegar: It adds a tangy kick; make sure it’s well-shaken if it’s the unfiltered kind. Dijon mustard: It provides a nice depth of flavor; adjust the amount if you prefer more or less zing. Make sure to use Dijon, not yellow mustard. Salt and pepper: Freshly ground black pepper and sea salt make all the difference; adjust to taste. How To Make Chicken Salad With Apples Prep the dressing: Whisk together the dressing in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, mix chopped chicken, toasted almonds, dried cranberries/cherries, diced apples, and green onions if using. Mix in dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture, ensuring everything is well-coated. Adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve and enjoy: Dish it up as is, or serve in sandwiches, on lettuce, or with crackers. Dig in! Recipe Tips Chicken: Use any leftover cooked chicken; just chop it finely. Apples: Experiment with varieties—Granny Smith for tartness, Gala for sweetness. Nuts: Swap almonds for pecans or walnuts if preferred. Toast ’em if you have time! Dressing: Adjust for taste—more mayo for creaminess, a lemon squeeze for tang and freshness. Herbs: Add parsley, dill, or rosemary for a kick. Chill Time: Refrigerate a few hours before serving to enhance flavors. How To Serve Chicken Salad With Apples Here are some ideas: Sandwiches: Spread the salad between slices of multigrain bread or a croissant for a delicious sandwich. Lettuce wraps: Scoop it into lettuce leaves for a crunchy, low-carb option. On greens: Serve atop a bed of mixed salad greens. With crackers: Offer it with a side of crackers (we love Wheat Thins!) for a snack or light lunch. Stuffed avocados: Hollow out avocado halves and fill them with the chicken salad. In a wrap: Roll it up in a tortilla or flatbread with some crunchy veggies for a quick wrap. As a dip: Serve with veggie sticks for a creative dip. STORAGE Storing Chicken Salad with Apples: Refrigerate: Keep in an airtight container for 3-5 days. Freeze: Not recommended; mayonnaise and apples change texture when thawed. Leftovers: Best consumed cold; stir well before serving if it’s been in the fridge. More Delicious Sandwich Recipes: Rosemary Chicken Salad super simple Grilled Cheese our favorite grilled cheese ever! Club Sandwich with the best sauce Turkey Sandwich on an English muffin Quickest Fish Sandwich with the best lemon sauce FOLLOW ALONG! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates, recipes and content. Chicken Salad With Apples 5 from 1 vote - Review this recipe This Chicken Salad with Apples is a real game-changer, combining the savory flavors of rotisserie chicken with the sweet crunch of apples. It all comes together with a creamy dressing that makes this dish a perfect hit for any occasion! SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Chicken Salad With Apples 5 from 1 vote - Review this recipe SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe This Chicken Salad with Apples is a real game-changer, combining the savory flavors of rotisserie chicken with the sweet crunch of apples. It all comes together with a creamy dressing that makes this dish a perfect hit for any occasion! Course Appetizer, Dinner, lunch, Main Course Cuisine American, Healthy Keyword apple chicken salad, Chicken Salad With Apples Prep Time 20 minutes minutes Total Time 20 minutes minutes Servings 4 loaded sandwiches Chelsea Lords Calories 307kcal Author Chelsea Lords IngredientsSalad▢ 2 packed cups prepared rotisserie chicken, finely chopped▢ ½ cup toasted sliced almonds (Note 1)▢ ⅓ cup dried cranberries or dried tart cherries▢ 1 cup finely diced apples (we like Honeycrisp best) (Note 2)▢ ⅓ cup green onions, thinly sliced, optionalDressing▢ ⅓ cup full-fat mayonnaise▢ 3 tablespoons sour cream fat free or light is great!▢ 1½ tablespoon honey and apple cider vinegar 1 ½ for each▢ 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard▢ Salt and pepper, to taste InstructionsDRESSING: Whisk dressing ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth. Season to taste (I add ¼ tsp salt and ⅛ tsp pepper). SALAD: Combine the salad ingredients in a large bowl. Scrape every bit of dressing on top and toss well. Taste and adjust to personal preference. SERVE: Enjoy! Serve in sandwiches, on lettuce boats, with crackers etc. Video Recipe NotesNote 1: Almonds: Buy toasted sliced almonds or toast your own: Place almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir frequently for 3-5 minutes until they're lightly browned and fragrant. Remove from heat and transfer to a plate to cool. Cool completely before adding to the salad. Note 2: Keep apples from browning: Here's our "secret" for keeping your apples crisp and fresh for days. After dicing, place them in a large bowl of cold, salted water (1 cup water to ½ tsp salt). Soak for 5 minutes, then drain using a colander and rinse thoroughly. Ensure they're dry before adding them to the salad. Nutrition information is for the salad only and does not take into account bread, crackers or other extras. Nutrition FactsCalories: 307kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 146mg | Potassium: 184mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 170IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 1mg We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed. DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? I love hearing from you when you've made one of my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @ChelseasMessyApron or leave me a comment below.
