This Chicken Salad is packed with sweet apples and crunchy celery. It is great for barbecues, picnics and quick lunches during the week. Whip this together in just 15 minutes!
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If you are a fan of classic chicken salad, this simple recipe is a great way to switch it up. This easy chicken salad recipe is made with crisp apples and celery for the perfect amount of crunch. Not only is this chicken salad with apples recipe delicious, but it is also quick to make and can be easily modified to suit your personal preference.
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🌟Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Great way to use up leftover chicken. This is the perfect recipe if you have pre-cooked chicken left over from dinner last night or extra rotisserie chicken you need to use up.
- Quick and easy recipe. The apple chicken salad comes together in just about 15 minutes! It's the perfect quick lunch for busy days.
- Super versatile. You can eat this salad as is, throw it into a wrap or on a slice of bread, or put it on a bed of lettuce.
🥘Ingredients and Substitutions
- Chicken- Any type of cooked chicken will work in this salad. Use a cooked rotisserie chicken, or leftover chicken breasts or thighs. If you don't have cooked chicken ready to go, cook some breasts or thighs in the oven or on the stove seasoning it with just salt and pepper.
- Apple- The best type of apple for a good chicken salad is a crunchy variety such as granny smith apples. My favorite is a Honeycrisp apple.
- Celery- Celery adds a little bit more crunch to the salad.
- Lemon juice- Apple cider vinegar is a good substitute for the lemon juice.
See the recipe card below for the remaining ingredients and quantities.
📖Variations
- Add nuts for some extra crunch and texture. Almonds, pecans and toasted walnuts are all great options.
- Diced red onion or green onion will both add additional texture and flavor.
- Pears or red grapes would be a great substitute for the apple if you don't have any on hand.
- Use plain Greek yogurt instead of mayo for a tangier taste.
- Throw in some fresh herbs to elevate this delicious chicken salad. Fresh dill, parsley, chives and basil are all great options.
🔪Instructions
Step 1: Begin by chopping the cooked chicken, celery and apple and add them to a large bowl.
Step 2: Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and mix to combine. Serve and enjoy!
💭Recipe FAQS
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.
This chicken salad recipe can be frozen however, I wouldn't recommend it. Mayonnaise doesn't stand up very well to freezing and will separate when thawed. If you want to freeze this salad do so before adding the mayo.
Yes. If you don't like mayo or prefer not to use it, you can replace it with Greek yogurt or sour cream.
Yes, you can prepare this chicken salad ahead of time. Store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Keep in mind the apples may brown slightly if made ahead of time. You can always add them just before serving if you prefer to have them looking fresh.
👩🏻🍳Chef Tips
- Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Use plain precooked chicken that isn't coated in any sauce or very strong seasonings. Make sure it is cooled before adding it to the salad.
- Adjust the amount of mayo to your taste. Some people prefer a lot of mayo in their chicken salad and some prefer just a little bit.
🥗How to Serve Chicken Salad
One of my favorite ways to serve this is as chicken salad sandwiches on your favorite type of bread. There are so many other different ways to serve this apple chicken salad:
- Add a scoop on top of or serve alongside simple green salads.
- Use in lettuce wraps.
- Grab some crackers and top them with some of the chicken salad.
Add this chicken salad to my Roasted Sweet Potato Salad or alongside these frozen seasoned fries in air fryer.
More Salad Recipes
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Recipe
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Chicken Salad with Apples
See the full post for extra tips and photos
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
- 1 celery stalk, chopped
- 1 apple, chopped
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Begin by chopping or shredding the cooked chicken. Cut the celery and apple into ½-inch pieces. Add everything to a large bowl.
- Add the dijon mustard, mayonnaise, salt, pepper and lemon juice to the bowl.
- Mix everything together until well combined. Serve immediately on your favorite bread, over lettuce or as is.
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Sarah's Tips
- Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Use plain precooked chicken that isn't coated in any sauce or very strong seasonings. Make sure it is cooled before adding it to the salad.
- Adjust the amount of mayo to your taste. Some people prefer a lot of mayo in their chicken salad and some prefer just a little bit.
- Mayonnaise doesn't stand up very well to freezing and will separate when thawed. If you want to freeze this salad do so before adding the mayo.
- You can prepare this chicken salad ahead of time. Store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Keep in mind the apples may brown slightly if made ahead of time. You can always add them just before serving if you prefer to have them looking fresh.
KH says
Pleasantly surprised how simple and delicious this is! I will definitely make this again. I doubled the apples, celery and mayo.
Roger says
I made this today exactly according to recipe. Very good,
Sarah Holt says
Hi Roger, really happy you enjoyed this!
Jason says
Nice easy and excellent.
Sarah Holt says
Hi Jason, so glad you enjoyed it!