Key Highlights
Here’s what you need to know about making a delicious chicken apple salad:
- This healthy chicken salad is a versatile dish perfect for quick lunches or picnics.
- The combination of tender chicken, crisp apples, and crunchy celery creates a perfect texture.
- You can easily use leftover or rotisserie chicken to speed up preparation.
- Many recipes offer alternatives to mayonnaise, like Greek yogurt or vinaigrettes.
- Customize your chicken salad with mix-ins like nuts, grapes, or herbs to suit your personal preference.
- These recipes are simple, quick, and can be ready in about 15 minutes.
Are you looking for a tasty and filling meal that is simple to put together? Try a healthy chicken salad with crisp apples for a fresh take on the classic dish. The mix of leftover chicken and apples gives this chicken salad a bright flavor and a crunchy texture. It is a good way to use leftover chicken. You can make it for lunch or dinner and know you are eating something good for you.
5 Delicious Healthy Chicken Salad with Apples Recipes You’ll Love
Finding the perfect chicken salad recipe can help you step up your meal prep. If you have some leftover chicken from last night or a rotisserie chicken to use, these recipes give you a great way to put it to good use. When you add crisp apples, you get a sweet crunch that goes so well with the taste of chicken.
Each recipe card below shows one of our favorite ways to make this dish. You will find options with creamy dressings, as well as recipes that skip the mayo. There are many apple chicken salad recipes here, and you are sure to find one that will become your new go-to lunch.
1. Classic Apple Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt
For a fresh and healthy twist on a chicken salad recipe, try using plain Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise. Greek yogurt has a creamy feel and a taste that is a bit tangy. It also has fewer calories, so it is a good pick if you want something light and tasty. You still get all the flavor in your chicken salad but in a healthier way.
This easy chicken salad combines leftover chicken, crisp apples, celery, and a creamy dressing. You can use this mix in many ways. The recipe takes just a few minutes to make. Serve it by itself, put it into a lettuce wrap, or pile it onto your favorite bread for a filling sandwich.
Recipe: Grab a large bowl and add 3 cups of chopped or shredded leftover chicken, 1 chopped apple, and 1 chopped celery stalk. In a small bowl, mix together ⅓ cup of plain Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Take this creamy dressing and pour it over the chicken mixture. Mix everything until all parts are well covered.
2. Waldorf-Inspired Chicken Salad with Apples, Grapes & Walnuts
This apple chicken salad is based on the well-known Waldorf salad. It uses red grapes and walnuts to give the salad more taste and texture. The sweet flavor of the grapes, the crunchy walnuts, and the apple work well with the chicken. If you use Granny Smith apples, you get a nice tart touch that makes everything taste better.
This is a good way to add healthy mix-ins to your meal. The walnuts have good fats and a crunch. The grapes bring some sweetness and keep the salad moist. All the ingredients come together in a large bowl to make a simple and tasty chicken salad.
Recipe: In a large bowl, add ½ cup of mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and your favorite seasonings. Then add 3 cups of shredded chicken, ½ cup of red grapes cut in half, ½ cup of chopped walnuts, ½ a chopped Granny Smith apple, and 1 chopped celery rib. Stir everything gently until it is mixed together.
3. No-Mayo Apple Chicken Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette
If you want a chicken salad but do not like mayonnaise, you can still have a great meal. Try using a fresh vinaigrette made with Dijon mustard, some good olive oil, and apple cider vinegar. This light dressing covers the chicken salad nicely. The taste is zesty and not heavy, and it does not take much time to prepare.
This way, you get a chicken salad that is simple and good for you, without any thick dressings. The vinaigrette brings out the flavors in the cooked chicken and the apple, making the salad feel light but filling. It is a good choice for people who cannot eat mayonnaise or just do not like it.
Recipe: In a medium bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard. Add a pinch of salt and some pepper. Put in 3 cups of cooked chicken, 1 chopped apple, and ¼ cup of diced red onion. Toss in all the ingredients until everything is covered in the vinaigrette.
4. Apple Pecan Chicken Salad with Baby Spinach
Make your chicken salad better by adding toasted pecans and fresh baby spinach. The pecans give the salad a rich, nutty crunch that goes well with the sweet and tart taste of a Granny Smith apple. The spinach brings a fresh feel to the salad and adds more nutrients. If you use a store-bought rotisserie chicken, it saves time and makes this a quick and easy meal for a busy day. Just shred the chicken breast and you are set.
A good way to get a great and healthy chicken salad is to use a mix of different textures and flavors. When you add pecans, you get both a crunchy bite and a boost of healthy fats and protein. The baby spinach softens a bit in the salad, which adds color and nutrients, but it does not take over the flavors.
Recipe: In a bowl, mix 3 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken, ½ cup toasted pecans, 1 chopped Granny Smith apple, and 1 cup of fresh baby spinach. Pour your favorite creamy dressing or a light vinaigrette over it and toss to mix everything together.
5. Curried Chicken Salad with Apples and Raisins
For a bold and different taste, try this curry chicken salad with apples and raisins. The warm flavor of curry powder mixes well with the sweet raisins and crunchy, sweet apples. When you use leftover rotisserie chicken, it is easy to make. Sour cream or Greek yogurt gives the dish a tangy and smooth texture that brings the flavors together.
This chicken salad recipe is simple, healthy, and can be a good choice if you watch your sugar. To make it better for diabetes, choose unsweetened Greek yogurt, pick a low-sugar apple, and use fewer raisins so the sugar is lower. The chicken has healthy fats and also gives some protein, which helps make this meal balanced.
Recipe: In a bowl, mix 1 teaspoon of curry powder and ⅓ cup of sour cream or Greek yogurt. Add 3 cups of shredded leftover rotisserie chicken, 1 chopped sweet apple, and 2 tablespoons of raisins. Stir everything until the chicken, apples, and raisins are covered in the curry dressing.
Pro Tips for the Best Healthy Chicken Salad with Apples
Making a delicious chicken salad is to find the right mix of flavors and textures. To start, use plain cooked chicken that does not have a lot of extra seasoning. This helps the other ingredients stand out. Fresh herbs like dill or parsley can really lift the taste of the chicken mixture. You can change how much mayonnaise or Greek yogurt you use in the dressing. This way, you make it as creamy as you like, so it fits your personal preference.
Chicken salad is also a good choice for meal prep. Make a big batch of it, and store it for fast lunches during the week. You can eat it in lettuce wraps or on toast. Use a little lemon juice in your salad dressing, and this will stop any apples in the salad from turning brown.
Choosing the Right Apple Varieties for Salads
The type of apple you choose can make a big difference in your chicken salad. You want a variety that is firm and crisp enough to hold its shape and provide a satisfying crunch. Softer apples can become mushy once mixed with the dressing and other ingredients. Both sweet and tart apples work well, so the final choice often comes down to personal preference.
Varieties like Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Gala are sweet apples that offer a fantastic crunch. If you prefer a bit of tartness to balance the creamy dressing, Granny Smith or Pink Lady apples are excellent choices. According to Sarah Hill of Real Food with Sarah, “When making chicken salad or any salad with apples, you should reach for a crunchy apple that takes a little longer to turn brown. I recommend Pink Lady, Fuji and Honeycrisp.”
Here is a quick guide to some of the best apples for salads:
| Apple Variety | Flavor Profile | Texture |
|---|---|---|
| Honeycrisp | Sweet-tart | Very crisp, juicy |
| Granny Smith | Tart | Firm, crunchy |
| Fuji | Very sweet | Crisp, juicy |
| Pink Lady | Sweet-tart | Firm, crisp |
| Gala | Mildly sweet | Crisp, fine-textured |
How to Keep Apples Fresh and Prevent Browning
One of the main things people worry about when adding apples to chicken salad is that they might turn brown. This happens because of something called oxidation. Have you ever cut up an apple for a snack and seen it turn brown after a short time? It does not look good to eat when that happens. But the good news is you can do a few simple things to keep apples looking fresh and crisp in your chicken salad.
The easiest way is to use a bit of acid. You just need a small amount of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. You can add the juice right on the apples, or mix it in with your salad dressing. The acid helps to slow down how fast they turn brown.
For the best results, try these tips:
- Toss with Acid: Right after you chop your apples, mix them with a tablespoon of lemon juice.
- Mix into Dressing: Make your salad dressing first, and then add the apples to it. The dressing will coat the apples and help keep air away from them.
- Store Properly: If you want to make your chicken salad ahead of time, put it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge. This helps cut down how much air can reach the apples.
Using these simple ways, you can keep your apples looking good and make your chicken salad taste even better.
Conclusion
In the end, these 10 tasty and healthy chicken salad recipes with apples are a great way to have good meals without losing flavor. Every chicken salad comes with its own special touch. The mix of sweet apples and other things makes each dish just right for any time. You can try different types of apples and bring in fresh items to make each chicken salad fit what you like best. Eating healthy can be easy and fun! We want to know what you think about these chicken salad recipes or any other ways you make them, so go ahead and leave a comment below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Greek yogurt a healthy substitute for mayo in chicken salad?
Yes, Greek yogurt is a good healthy swap for a cup of mayonnaise in chicken salad. You get a creamy feel and some tang while you eat it. There is more protein and fewer calories in Greek yogurt than in mayonnaise. It helps keep the chicken mixture moist. It makes your chicken salad taste good and nice and creamy.
What are some healthy mix-ins that pair well with apples in chicken salad?
There are many healthy things you can mix with apples. You can add nuts like walnuts or pecans. They give the salad some crunch. Try adding grapes if you want a little sweetness. Vegetables like crunchy celery or red onion give the salad more texture. If you want to add more taste, use fresh herbs like dill or parsley. A bit of black pepper on top will make the flavor even better.
Can I make apple chicken salad ahead of time for meal prep?
Apple chicken salad is really good for meal prep. You can make a large bowl of chicken salad and put any leftover chicken salad in an airtight container. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. The flavors will come together and the chicken salad will taste even better after some time.