It’s no secret we love a good chicken salad in our house. They’re easy to make, the combination possibilities are endless, and it’s versatile to use! This chicken salad with apples and walnuts is the perfect combination.
It’s loaded with different textures and flavors as it’s made with crisp apples, crunchy celery, nutty walnuts, chewy dates, and peppery red onion. Plus, it’s lightly dressed with greek yogurt and some lemon juice to keep it light and fresh. I love serving it as a chicken salad sandwich, open-faced on toast, or with crackers.
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Prep it at the beginning of the week for an easy protein-packed and gluten-free option to have on hand for busy days!
Why you’ll love this chicken apple salad recipe
- it takes 15 minutes to make – with a little prep of having some shredded chicken on hand, it only takes about 15 minutes to come together.
- full of flavor and texture – it’s crunchy and creamy and has the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
- versatile – use it on salads, in sandwiches, or just as a quick protein option paired with some carbohydrates, veggies, and fat for a complete meal.
- great for meal prep – it’s great to make at the beginning of the week to have on hand for an easy meal. The flavors get better the longer it sits too!
Is a chicken salad healthy?
Chicken salad can be a healthy addition to any diet. Chicken is packed with lean protein which is going to help fill you up and keep you full. It also usually has some veggies and fruit for micronutrients and fiber.
Store-bought chicken salad can be loaded with a lot of fat due to the amount of mayo used, which can add calories easily. Using greek yogurt will reduce the number of calories and fat and also add more protein.
When making it at home, you have full control over what ingredients you are using.
Ingredients
- shredded chicken
- apples – they add the perfect sweetness
- celery – for some crunch!
- walnuts – toasted and then chopped for an extra depth of flavor
- red onion
- medjool dates – for a little chewiness.
- plain greek yogurt – for creaminess and more protein. I like using full fat for extra flavor.
- fresh lemon juice
- fresh rosemary
- salt and pepper
How to make chicken salad with apples
- Toast the walnuts. Heat a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add walnuts and toast for 3-6 minutes, stirring frequently, until they start to brown and get fragrant. Immediately remove from heat and roughly chop.
- Mix the dressing. In a large bowl, add greek yogurt, lemon juice, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
- Make the chicken salad. Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and toss well to combine. Adjust according to taste.
- Enjoy! Serve in a sandwich, salad, or however you like!
Best apples to use
I like using honeycrisp or gala apples, but you can use fuji, red delicious, pink lady, golden delicious, or pink lady. If you like things tart, try granny smith apples.
What to serve with chicken salad
- bread, toast, croissants, rice cakes, wraps, or tortillas – with your favorite sandwich additions!
- salad – over a bed of lettuce with your favorite veggies.
- with crackers or chips
- in a power bowl – add some grains, veggies, and avocado for an easy bowl meal.
- veggies – carrots, celery, or bell peppers
- chicken salad melts – on top of a piece of toast, and then melt a little cheese on top. SO GOOD!
How long is chicken salad good for?
Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days. The nuts will lose a little of their crunch, but the flavor will still be there.
Can you freeze chicken salad?
You can freeze chicken salad, but since it’s made with yogurt, the texture will change. Dairy products can become grainy and watery once frozen and defrosted and it will not be as good as fresh chicken salad.
Substitutions
This chicken salad with apples is pretty forgiving and you can easily change things up depending on what you have on hand. Here are some suggestions:
- shredded chicken – I like boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe, but chicken thighs (skin on or off) will also work the same. You can also use a rotisserie chicken from the store for convenience.
- apples – I like using honeycrisp or gala apples, but any kind will work. If you like things tart, try granny smith apples.
- celery – if you don’t like celery, you can leave it out.
- walnuts – any nuts will work. Pecans, almonds, or cashews would be good subs.
- red onion – green onion will work instead.
- dates – you can substitute another dried fruit like dried cranberries or raisins.
- greek yogurt – dairy or non-dairy yogurt will work. You can also substitute mayo if you don’t like yogurt or want to make it paleo and Whole30. Using mayonnaise will add more fat and calories to the recipe.
- fresh rosemary – fresh parsley or dill will work instead.
More healthy chicken salad recipes
- buffalo ranch chicken salad
- hummus chicken salad
- healthy chicken salad with almonds and grapes
- cranberry pecan chicken salad
- avocado chicken salad
If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
Chicken Salad with Apples and Walnuts
ingredients
- 4 cups shredded chicken (1 pound)
- 1 1/2 cups diced apples (180 grams)
- 1 cup diced celery (120 grams)
- 1/2 cup walnuts (50 grams)
- 1/3 cup diced red onion (40 grams)
- 4 medjool dates, chopped (60 grams)
- 1 cup full-fat plain greek yogurt (8 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- salt and pepper, to taste
instructions
- Toast the walnuts. Heat a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add walnuts and toast for 3-6 minutes, stirring frequently, until they start to brown and get fragrant. Immediately remove from heat and roughly chop.
- Mix the dressing. In a large bowl, add greek yogurt, lemon juice, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
- Make the chicken salad. Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and stir well to combine. Adjust according to taste.
- Enjoy! Serve in a sandwich, salad, or however you like!
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We sub our avocado mayo and did not use prunes. Turned out great!! Love the rosemary!
Glad you enjoyed it, Kim! Thanks for trying it!
Absolutely loved this variation of a chicken salad. Kelly’s recipes are easy, fun, delicious, balanced and quick. Simple ingredients! I am a huge fan!
So glad you enjoyed it, Daniela! And thank you for the feedback, I really appreciate it!