Chicken Salad with Apples combines tender rotisserie chicken, crisp apples, and a creamy dressing for the ultimate sandwich filling!

Try some of my favorite variations like this classic Chicken Salad Recipe, Pesto Chicken Salad, or Curry Chicken Salad.

Stacked half-cut chicken salad with apples, showcasing the flavorful filling inside.

Chicken Salad with Apples

Our apple trees are producing more than ever before, so I’m all about apple recipes right now! I’ve nailed a new Apple Cobbler, made Apple Crumble a few times, and of course, my husband’s favorite Apple Pie. Oh, and I’ve made plenty of Applesauce too!

Naturally, I’m using apples in this chicken salad—it’s so good! If you’ve tried chicken salad with grapes (like my healthy version), you’ll love this combo just as much!

Assorted ingredients for a recipe displayed on a board, ready for preparation.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make Chicken Salad with Apples:

  • Rotisserie chicken: Use a warm, freshly bought rotisserie chicken for easy shredding—herb-seasoned if you can!
  • Almonds: Toast them in a pan or use pre-toasted ones for more flavor.
  • Cranberries: Choose unsweetened for less sweetness. I also love adding dried tart cherries.
  • Apples: Honeycrisp is my favorite for a good crunch and sweetness.
  • Green onions: Slice thinly or skip if you don’t like them.
  • Mayo: Use full-fat for creaminess or low-fat if you prefer.
  • Sour cream: Choose light or fat-free based on your preference.
  • Honey: Swap with sugar if needed.
  • Apple cider vinegar: This adds a nice tang! Shake well before using.
  • Dijon mustard: Adds depth; adjust to your taste for more or less zing.
Two mixing bowls, one with dressing ingredients being whisked together, and the other with diced chicken and apple ingredients being combined.

How To Make Chicken Salad With Apples 

  1. Prep dressing: Whisk together the dressing and add salt and pepper.
  2. Combine salad: Mix chicken, almonds, cranberries/cherries, apples, and green onions in a bowl.
  3. Add dressing: Toss the salad with the dressing, adjusting the seasoning if needed.
  4. Serve: Enjoy as is or check my serving ideas below.

How To Serve Chicken Salad With Apples

  • Sandwiches: Spread on multigrain bread or a croissant.
  • On apples: Thinly slice apples, core with a piping tip, and top with cheese, microgreens, and chicken salad.
  • Lettuce wraps: Scoop into lettuce leaves for a low-carb option.
  • On greens: Serve over mixed salad greens.
  • With crackers: Pair with crackers for a snack or light lunch.
  • Stuffed avocados: Fill avocado halves with chicken salad.
  • In a wrap: Roll in a tortilla with crunchy veggies.
  • As a dip: Serve with veggie sticks for dipping.
Dressing being poured over chicken and mixed together.

Recipe Tips

  • Chicken: Use any leftover chicken, just dice it up small.
  • Apples: Try different kinds—Granny Smith for tart, Gala for sweet.
  • Nuts: Swap almonds for pecans, pistachios, or walnuts. Toast if you can!
  • Dressing: Adjust to taste—more mayo for creaminess, or a squeeze of lemon for freshness.
  • Herbs: Toss in parsley, dill, or rosemary for extra flavor.
  • Chill: Refrigerate for a few hours to boost the flavors.
Chicken salad served on an apple.

Storage

Storing Chicken Salad with Apples:

  • Refrigerate: Keep in a sealed container for 3-5 days.
  • Freeze: Not suggested; mayo and apples don’t freeze well.
  • Leftovers: Best served cold. Mix well after chilling.

More Delicious Sandwich Recipes:

5 from 6 votes

Chicken Salad With Apples

Chicken Salad with Apples mixes juicy rotisserie chicken, crunchy apples, and a creamy dressing, making it the perfect sandwich filling!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 sandwiches

Ingredients 
 

Salad

  • 2 cups diced cooked chicken rotisserie preferred
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds see note 1
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries or dried tart cherries
  • 1 cup finely diced apples Honeycrisp preferred, see note 2
  • 1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions optional

Dressing

  • 1/3 cup mayo
  • 3 tablespoons sour cream light works great
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons honey
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • Serving suggestions see note 3

Instructions 

  • Whisk dressing ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth.
  • Combine the salad ingredients in a large bowl. Scrape every bit of dressing on top and toss well. Taste and adjust to personal preference.
  • Enjoy! Serve in sandwiches, on sliced apples, on lettuce boats, with crackers etc.

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Buy toasted sliced almonds or toast your own:
  1. Place almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat.
  2. Stir frequently for 3-5 minutes until they’re lightly browned and fragrant.
  3. Remove from heat and transfer to a plate to cool. Cool completely before adding to the salad.
Note 2: To keep apples fresh for longer, soak diced apples in cold, salted water (1 cup water to ½ tsp salt) for 5 minutes. Drain, rinse well, and dry before adding to the salad. (I promise they don’t taste salty!)
Note 3: Serving Ideas: spread on multigrain bread or a croissant, on thin apple slices with cheese and microgreens, in lettuce wraps for a low-carb option, over mixed greens, with crackers for a light snack, stuffed in avocado halves, rolled in a tortilla with crunchy veggies, or as a dip with veggie sticks.
Nutrition information is for the salad only and does not take into account bread, crackers or other extras.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 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

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelsea’s Messy Apron! I’m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. I’m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping by—I hope you find something delicious to make!

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5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

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13 Comments

  1. Gail says:

    5 stars
    This is delicious 😋! I didn’t have cranberries but added some celery instead. I’m more savory than sweet. My new go to chicken salad recipe!

    1. Chelsea says:

      So happy this was a hit! Thanks for your comment Gail!

      1. Darnell says:

        5 stars
        Nice n easy !

        1. Chelsea says:

          So thrilled to hear you enjoyed!

  2. Laura says:

    5 stars
    LOVED the dressing ! It compliments the tart apples & cranberries and adds flair & variation to the traditional mayonnaise-y chicken salad croissant version. I added chopped grapes and a lil less vinegar makes for a thicker dressing. Thanks for an amazing chicken salad recipe. Will be on repeat.

    1. Chelsea says:

      I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks Laura!

  3. Roxanne says:

    5 stars
    So yummy served on apple slices!!

    1. Chelsea says:

      So thrilled you enjoyed this!

  4. Ana Patrícia Jordão Mantovani says:

    Vou fazer a salada, mas gostaria da tradução da receita. Obrigada pelo o carinho!

  5. Betsy says:

    How do you make the salad dressing for the chicken salad?

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      It’s in the recipe card. You scrolled past it to leave this comment so go above and it’s all there 🙂

  6. Judith A Nero says:

    5 stars
    This was delicious! The apples and cranberries really made it special!

    1. Chelsea says:

      Thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much Judith!