Try some of my favorite variations like this classic Chicken Salad Recipe, Pesto Chicken Salad, or Curry Chicken Salad.
Chicken Salad with Apples
Our apple trees are producing more than ever before, so Iโm all about apple recipes right now! Iโve nailed a new Apple Cobbler, made Apple Crumble a few times, and of course, my husbandโs favorite Apple Pie. Oh, and Iโve made plenty of Applesauce too!
Naturally, Iโm using apples in this chicken saladโitโs so good! If youโve tried chicken salad with grapes (like my healthy version), youโll love this combo just as much!
Ingredients
Hereโs what youโll need to make Chicken Salad with Apples:
- Rotisserie chicken: Use a warm, freshly bought rotisserie chicken for easy shreddingโherb-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 donโt 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.
How To Make Chicken Salad With Applesย
- Prep dressing: Whisk together the dressing and add salt and pepper.
- Combine salad: Mix chicken, almonds, cranberries/cherries, apples, and green onions in a bowl.
- Add dressing: Toss the salad with the dressing, adjusting the seasoning if needed.
- 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.
Recipe Tips
- Chicken: Use any leftover chicken, just dice it up small.
- Apples: Try different kindsโGranny Smith for tart, Gala for sweet.
- Nuts: Swap almonds for pecans, pistachios, or walnuts. Toast if you can!
- Dressing: Adjust to tasteโmore 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.
Storage
Storing Chicken Salad with Apples:
- Refrigerate: Keep in a sealed container for 3-5 days.
- Freeze: Not suggested; mayo and apples donโt freeze well.
- Leftovers: Best served cold. Mix well after chilling.
More Delicious Sandwich Recipes:
- Rosemary Chicken Salad super simple
- Grilled Cheeseย my favorite grilled cheese ever!
- Club Sandwichย with the best sauce
- Turkey Sandwichย on an English muffin
- Quickest Fish Sandwichย with the best lemon sauce
Chicken Salad With Apples
Chicken Salad with Apples mixes juicy rotisserie chicken, crunchy apples, and a creamy dressing, making it the perfect sandwich filling!
Video
Equipment
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
Instructionsย
- 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.
Final step! Please let us know how it was by leaving a review.
Recipe Notes
Note 1: Buy toasted sliced almonds or toast your own:
- Place almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat.
- Stir frequently for 3โ5 minutes until theyโre lightly browned and fragrant.
- Remove from heat and transfer to a plate to cool. Cool completely before adding to the salad.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 405kcal | Carbohydrates: 24.7g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 26g | Cholesterol: 61.9mg | Sodium: 334.4mg | Fiber: 3.8g | Sugar: 18.4g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi Chelsea, I noticed you have a healthy chicken salad with grapes on your website, but Iโm looking for a version that uses mayo and sour creamโsimilar to some of your other chicken salad recipes. Do you have any suggestions or tips for adapting it that way?
Thanks so much!
Hey Sonia! Hereโs my regular chicken salad recipe: https://axis-framework.live/chicken-salad/%3C/a%3E.%3C/p%3E
Hi, I need the chicken salad to be made with grapes โ can I simply substitute the cranberries with grapes in your chicken salad recipe? Not sure if the flavor will balance.
What kind of cheese did you use on top of the salad when using an apple slice ?
Hey Ann, I use provolone but any cheese you like in a sandwich will work!
Looks delicious !!! What kind of cheese and greens did you top the chicken salad with when using it on top of an apple slice ? Want to try this for my book club. Thank you !!!
Those are microgreens on top of the apple slice, along with provolone cheese! Let me know if I can help with anything else. Thanks, Ann! Iโm so excited to hear how it turns out for book club!
4th time making this Apple/Chicken Salad! After trying a great number of recipes, we loved your best of all. It has all the ingredients that we had to have. Love the cored apple slice with cheese.
I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks Debi!
I make the same chicken salad except with pecans and I add Garlic powder. We love it!!
Delish! So glad youโre enjoying! Love those mix-in ideas.
I made this and it turned out very good. I used bread that was super fresh and it got hard to handle. I think a croissant would be easier for me and there is some left over. I roasted my sliced almonds and they were a great crunchy addition. Followed the recipe exactly.
So thrilled to hear this was a hit! It is delicious in a croissant! Thanks for your comment!
I left out the honey and vinegarโฆ
Seriously the BEST chicken salad ever!!
So thrilled to hear this! Thanks Carolyn!
Yum! I made this & placed on apple slices to my husbandโs Memory Care unit as an appetizer for their incredibly bland & boring meals! The staff & residents absolutely loved it!
Delish! So glad you enjoyed! Thanks Linda!
This looks great. We are always looking for new recipes to try.
Thanks! So excited for you to try!
Love your chicken recipes
I am so happy to hear this! Thanks Irene!