The Ultimate Apple Chicken Salad: A Sweet & Savory Twist for Any Season
Prepare to revolutionize your lunch and dinner routine with this extraordinary Apple Chicken Salad! Far from your everyday classic, this recipe introduces a delightful harmony of textures and flavors. Imagine succulent, tender chicken breast mingling with crisp, sweet apples and rich, toasted cashews, all perfectly bound by a creamy, subtly sweet honey dressing. Every bite is an exciting journey for your taste buds, offering a unique blend that makes this apple chicken salad an easy yet unforgettable meal, ideal for a satisfying lunch or a light, wholesome dinner.
While often celebrated as a quintessential fall dish, the vibrant freshness of apples means this chicken salad with apples is a fantastic addition to your menu any time of year. As the cooler months approach, the comforting crunch of apples naturally draws us in. But don’t limit yourself; this recipe brings a perfect “fall punch” even in warmer weather, combining the wholesome goodness of chicken, the delightful sweetness and tang of apples, the satisfying crunch of cashews, and the comforting sweetness of honey into one cohesive and truly exceptional salad.
Beyond its incredible taste, this fabulous salad offers remarkable versatility. It shines beautifully when served on a crisp bed of mixed greens, transforming into an elegant main course. For a more substantial option, easily turn it into gourmet chicken salad sandwiches by piling it high on a buttery croissant, a slice of artisan toasted sourdough bread, or even tucked into a warm pita. It’s an effortless meal solution for busy weekdays, a perfect make-ahead option for meal prep, and an absolute crowd-pleaser for autumn luncheons, backyard barbecues, or any casual get-together where you want to serve something both fresh and comforting.
Why This Apple Chicken Salad Will Become Your New Favorite
If you’re on the hunt for a chicken salad recipe that feels both fresh and seasonally appropriate, yet is simple enough for any day, this Apple Chicken Salad is an absolute must-have in your recipe repertoire. It starts with tender, perfectly cooked chicken, which provides a lean protein base. Then, we introduce the star of the show: crisp, juicy apples, adding a natural sweetness and an irresistible bite. Toasted cashews contribute a wonderful nutty flavor and an additional layer of crunch, elevating the texture profile significantly.
What truly sets this salad apart is its sweet and creamy honey dressing. This isn’t a heavy, overwhelming dressing; instead, it’s light, bright, and perfectly balanced, enhancing the natural flavors of the ingredients without masking them. Each forkful is a mosaic of textures, from the succulent chicken and the crunchy celery to the refreshing crispness of the apples, making it a standout among classic chicken salads. It’s a delightful culinary experience that will have you reaching for seconds.
The adaptability of this chicken apple salad recipe is another reason for its widespread appeal. Whether you prefer to enjoy it as a sophisticated salad bowl, tucked into a fresh lettuce wrap for a low-carb option, or piled generously onto your favorite bread for hearty chicken salad sandwiches, it effortlessly fits into any dining scenario. This is one of those timeless chicken salad recipes that transitions seamlessly from an effortless weekday lunch prep to a delightful main dish for casual dinners with friends and family.
The Magic of Apples in Savory Dishes
Apples are truly versatile fruits, and they’re not just destined for pies and crisps! When added to savory dishes like chicken salad, they contribute a wonderful, refreshing crunch and a natural sweetness that beautifully contrasts with the rich and creamy elements. This interplay of sweet and savory is what makes this chicken salad so special. I particularly love using a combination of apple varieties; Granny Smith apples lend a pleasant tartness that cuts through the richness, while Gala or Pink Lady apples bring a balancing sweetness. When these vibrant apple cubes are tossed with tender chicken and our signature honey-mayo dressing, the result is truly the best chicken salad, especially when fall produce is at its peak and apples are bursting with flavor.
Another fantastic aspect of this recipe is its incredible flexibility. It’s an excellent way to utilize various types of cooked chicken. You can effortlessly make this dish using a convenient store-bought rotisserie chicken, leftover roast chicken from last night’s dinner, or even pre-cooked chicken strips for a recipe that saves significant time and effort. This adaptability also makes it a brilliant method to stretch a whole chicken into multiple delicious meals, ensuring nothing goes to waste and you always have a quick, flavorful option on hand.
Ingredients in Apple Chicken Salad
Crafting this delightful Apple Chicken Salad requires a selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients that come together to create a truly balanced and flavorful dish. You’ll find the exact measurements and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card further down this page.
For the Dressing and the Salad:
- Honey – Essential for that touch of natural sweetness that elevates the dressing.
- Mayonnaise – The creamy base for our dressing. Feel free to use your favorite brand, or for a lighter option, substitute with plain Greek yogurt or sour cream.
- Apple cider vinegar – Adds a crucial tangy balance to the sweetness of the honey, giving the dressing a bright and lively zest.
- Cooked chicken – The protein powerhouse! Options include convenient Tyson® Grilled and Ready® Chicken Breast Strips, shredded rotisserie chicken, any leftover cooked chicken you have on hand, or even cooked turkey for a delicious variation.
- Salted cashews – Toasted and roughly chopped, these nuts provide a wonderful buttery flavor and a satisfying crunch. Pecans or walnuts also make excellent substitutes if you prefer.
- A crisp apple – Cubed into bite-sized pieces. The choice of apple can influence the salad’s overall profile: Granny Smith offers tartness, while Gala, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady apples provide more sweetness.
- Lemon juice – A vital ingredient to toss with the cubed apples. It prevents browning and adds a refreshing brightness to the fruit.
- Celery – Finely chopped, it contributes a fresh, subtle flavor and a fantastic, vibrant crunch that complements the other textures.
For Serving:
Serve this magnificent salad over a bed of fresh, crisp lettuce, or on warm, toasted bread, soft dinner rolls, or flaky croissants for a truly satisfying meal.
How to Make the Best Apple Chicken Salad
Creating this apple chicken salad is incredibly straightforward, perfect for even novice cooks. Follow these simple steps for a truly rewarding culinary experience:
First, let’s prepare the cashews to bring out their full flavor. Spread them evenly on a baking sheet and toast them in a hot oven until they become wonderfully fragrant and slightly golden. This step is crucial for enhancing their nutty depth and crispness. Once toasted, allow them to cool completely before roughly chopping them. This prevents them from becoming oily or losing their crunch.
Next, it’s time to craft our delectable honey dressing. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, mayonnaise (or your chosen substitute like Greek yogurt), and apple cider vinegar until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This dressing forms the creamy, sweet-tangy backbone of our salad. Once prepared, place it in the fridge to chill while you get the remaining ingredients ready. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and keeps the dressing cool and refreshing.
If your chicken isn’t already in bite-sized pieces, take a moment to cut it evenly. Uniform pieces ensure that every mouthful of salad is perfectly balanced. Similarly, cube your chosen apple into small, manageable pieces. As soon as you’ve cut the apple, toss it immediately with lemon juice. This simple trick not only adds a touch of bright citrus flavor but, more importantly, prevents the apples from browning, keeping them looking fresh and appetizing.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced chicken, prepared apples, finely chopped celery, and the toasted, chopped cashews. Pour the chilled honey dressing generously over all the ingredients. Gently stir everything together until every piece of chicken, every apple cube, and every cashew is beautifully coated in the creamy dressing. This ensures maximum flavor in every bite.
Once mixed, cover the bowl and chill the salad in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. Allowing the salad to chill for at least an hour, or even a few hours, allows the flavors to deepen and meld, resulting in an even more delicious and cohesive dish. When it’s time to enjoy, serve the salad over a bed of fresh greens, spoon it into crisp lettuce cups for a lighter option, layer it generously on a croissant or your favorite sandwich bread, or simply pair it with an assortment of crackers for a quick and easy, yet incredibly flavorful, meal.
Store any leftover Apple Chicken Salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days to maintain its freshness and flavor.
Love it? Pin it!
If you adore this recipe for Chicken Salad with Apples, make sure it’s easy to find again! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go so you can recreate this deliciousness whenever the craving strikes!
Substitutions and Variations to Customize Your Salad
One of the joys of cooking is the ability to adapt recipes to your taste or what you have on hand. This Apple Chicken Salad is wonderfully flexible:
- Cranberry Apple Chicken Salad: For an extra layer of tartness and chewiness, consider adding dried cranberries or fresh tart cranberries. They pair beautifully with the apples and chicken.
- Creamy Dressing Alternatives: If you’re looking to lighten the dressing or prefer a different flavor profile, swap out the mayonnaise for an equal amount of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt. Both add a creamy texture with a pleasant tang.
- Nutty Swaps: Not a fan of cashews, or simply want to try something different? Crunchy pecans or walnuts can be swapped in for the cashews, offering a slightly different, yet equally delightful, nutty flavor and texture.
- Low-Carb Option: For those mindful of carb intake, skip the bread and spoon this flavorful salad into crisp lettuce cups for a refreshing and satisfying low-carb meal.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Elevate the freshness by stirring in some finely chopped fresh dill, parsley, or chives just before serving.
- A Touch of Red Onion: For a slightly sharper, more pungent flavor, a small amount of finely minced red onion can be added to the salad mixture.
FAQs: Apple Chicken Salad
- Do I need to peel the apples? This is entirely up to your personal preference. I often choose to leave the peel on for an added boost of fiber, extra color, and a bit more texture, but if you prefer a smoother consistency, peeling is perfectly fine.
- Can I freeze chicken salad? I strongly recommend against freezing chicken salad, especially one made with a mayonnaise-based dressing. The texture of mayonnaise can change significantly upon freezing and thawing, often separating and becoming unappealing. It’s best enjoyed fresh from the fridge within three days.
- What’s the best way to serve it? The beauty of this salad lies in its versatility! Some of the most popular ways to enjoy it include piled high on buttery croissants, served alongside or on top of crunchy crackers, or tucked into crisp lettuce wraps for a lighter meal. It’s also fantastic as a main salad course.
- Can I make it ahead of time? Absolutely! In fact, this chicken salad often tastes even better if it has a few hours to chill in the refrigerator before serving. This allows all the delicious flavors to fully meld and deepen. Just a tip: if you plan to serve it on bread or croissants, wait until right before serving to assemble to prevent the bread from becoming soggy.
- How long does Apple Chicken Salad last? When stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, your homemade Apple Chicken Salad will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days.
More Salad Recipes to Try
If you’re a devoted salad enthusiast like me, you’ll be thrilled to discover a treasure trove of salad recipes right here on my website! I bet you’ll absolutely love my refreshing Peach Basil Chicken Salad (pictured above), the vibrant flavors of my Chinese Chicken Salad, the classic elegance of Grilled Chicken Waldorf Salad, and this fun Snicker Apple Salad recipe, too!
Don’t stop there; these other delicious salad creations are also highly recommended: the hearty Bacon Cashew Broccoli Salad, the fresh and simple Caprese Salad, the unique and flavorful Columbia Restaurant’s 1905 Salad, and this wholesome Italian Raw Veggie Salad.
For those who, like me, eagerly await apple season and adore its diverse culinary applications, be sure to explore all of my apple recipes! You’ll find inspiration for sweet and savory dishes alike.
Conclusion: A Recipe You’ll Cherish
This simple yet sensational chicken salad with apples is truly a recipe you will want to make again and again. Its delightful combination of sweet, savory, and crunchy elements makes it a versatile and satisfying dish for any occasion. Whether you choose to serve it elegantly on your favorite toasted bread, spoon it into a refreshing lettuce wrap for a lighter meal, or simply enjoy it as a flavorful side dish, it stands as a fabulous salad that brightens up any menu, not just for fall but throughout the entire year. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly special and memorable.
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Print Recipe
Apple Chicken Salad
Equipment
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Cast Magnesium Apple/Potato Peeler Corer by Spiralizer
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Stainless Steel Apple Corer
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Zyliss Easy Twist Apple Corer, White
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12-Piece Black Sharp Knife Set with Covers, Cutting Board and Sharpener
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 cups about 3/4 pound Tyson® Grilled and Ready® Chicken Breast Strips, thawed
- 1/2 cup salted cashews toasted, roughly chopped
- 1 apple (about 1 cup), cubed
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup celery chopped
Instructions
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Toast cashews by placing them in the oven on a baking sheet at 400 degrees for 5 minutes. Cool them, and roughly chop them.
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Prepare the dressing: Whisk together honey, apple cider vinegar and mayo. Place it in the fridge while you make the chicken mixture.
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Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces
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Toss the diced apples with lemon juice.
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Add the chicken, celery, apples and cashews to a bowl. Pour dressing over, and stir to combine.
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Chill until ready to serve.
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Serve on a bed of greens, on rolls or croissants, or with crackers.
Notes
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on August 24, 2015, in partnership with Tyson. The post has been updated to improve user experience and reshared on October 3, 2025. This refreshed content aims to provide even more value and inspiration for your culinary adventures!