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I Make This Apple Chicken Salad When I’m Bored With The Usual Kind
Ingredients & Substitutions
How To Make Chicken Salad With Apples
My Tips For Flavor & Texture
Chicken Salad With Apples Recipe card
Serving Ideas
Recipe Reviews

I Make This Apple Chicken Salad When I’m Bored With The Usual Kind

I’ve made chicken salad just about every way you can imagine, from buffalo to the classic chicken salad everyone knows. But one day when I got bored of the ones I’ve made before and had some crisp apples on the counter staring back at me, I threw together this chicken salad with apples — and it turned out to be the perfect balance of light and fresh with cozy and satisfying. Here’s why:

Variety of flavors and textures – I love the mix of tender chicken, sweet fruit, crunchy nuts, and creamy dressing here. It turned out so good, I knew it needed its own recipe.
Lighter, creamy dressing – Most chicken salad recipes use mayonnaise, and I love mayo, but this time I used Greek yogurt. It gave this apple chicken salad a creamy texture and tangy flavor in a lighter package, with even more protein.
Packed with protein – This salad has nearly 15 grams of protein per moderate 1/2-cup serving! I often have a whole cup for a meal that’s almost 30 grams.
Fast & meal prep friendly – When I have leftover chicken on hand (often!), it only takes me 10 minutes to whip up this chicken salad with apples. And since it makes 10 servings and holds up well in the fridge for days, it’s perfect fo rmaking a big batch for meal prep lunches.

If you’re bored with regular chicken salads and want to try a new one, make this recipe with me!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my apple chicken salad recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.

Cooked Chicken – I often use leftover chicken breasts I have on hand, or make shredded Instant Pot chicken breast because it’s so fast. You can also grab a rotisserie chicken from the store to make it easy. I slightly prefer the texture of shredded chicken here, but diced is totally fine if that’s what you have! (In fact, the chicken I had for my pictures here was closer to diced.)
Apple – I like sweet, crisp ones like Honeycrisp or Gala. You want that juicy crunch to balance the creamy dressing in your chicken salad with apples.
Dried Cranberries – I make my own sweetened dried cranberries without sugar, but feel free to use store-bought.
Veggies – A combo of red onion and celery add crunch and a little bite. You can swap the red onion for green onion if you want something milder.
Sliced Almonds – For crunch! You can also use walnuts or pecans, or pepitas or sunflower seeds for a nut-free option. Toast them for extra flavor if you have a minute.
Fresh Parsley – For a pop of color and freshness. Chopped dill or chives work well, too.
Greek Yogurt – The base of the dressing for my apple chicken salad. I love the lighter vibe and extra protein boost here, but feel free to use mayonnaise if you prefer.
Dijon Mustard – Adds a little tang and depth to the dressing. You can use yellow mustard instead, but I recommend starting with less because it’s more intense.
Sea Salt & Black Pepper – My recipe assumes your chicken has salt and pepper prior to cooking, which I highly recommend. You’d need a lot more salt and probably more pepper if your chicken has nothing on it to begin with — adjust to taste.

Labeled recipe ingredients: Cooked chicken, apple, red onion, celery, dried cranberries, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, almonds, parsley, salt, and pepper.

How To Make Chicken Salad With Apples

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.

Mix the salad base. Combine the chicken, apples, red onion, celery, almonds, and parsley in a big bowl.
Make the dressing. In a separate bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt and Dijon mustard, until smooth.
Toss and season. Pour the dressing over the chicken salad with apples, and mix. I always taste and adjust the salt and pepper before serving.

Chicken salad with apples and other base ingredients mixed in a large bowl.

Creamy chicken salad with apples recipe mixed in a bowl with a serving spoon.

My Tips For Flavor & Texture

Chop everything into small, bite-sized pieces. I usually go for about 1/2 inch for the chicken and apples, and 1/4 inch for the celery and onions, so every scoop has a little of everything without overpowering.
Need to shred your chicken? Instead of using forks, which takes forever, I use this hand mixer and it shreds in seconds. Start on low so it doesn’t fly out of the bowl!
Should you add lemon juice? I didn’t because the Greek yogurt was tangy enough for me, but you can add a splash if you like. I definitely recommend it if you swap in mayo.
I used 2 single-serve containers of Greek yogurt, which was convenient, and I like my chicken salad with apples to be on the creamier side. If you’re measuring from a big tub or like it less creamy, reduce the amount of Greek yogurt to 1 cup.
The flavors develop more in the fridge. When there’s time, I refrigerate this chicken and apple salad for 30 to 60 minutes before serving. Just give it a good stir when you’re ready to eat.