Description
A refreshing and delicious Apple Chicken Salad that combines tender cooked chicken with crisp apples, crunchy celery, sweet grapes, and nuts, all tossed in a tangy mayonnaise and Dijon mustard dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or a healthy snack, this salad is easy to prepare and can be made ahead for convenience.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups Cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie or cooked chicken breasts)
- 1 large Apple, cored and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended)
- 1/2 cup Celery, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Red grapes, halved
- 1/4 cup Walnuts or pecans, chopped
- 1/4 cup Dried cranberries or raisins (optional)
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh herbs (optional, like parsley or dill, chopped)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: If using rotisserie chicken, shred into bite-sized pieces. If cooking from scratch, boil or bake chicken breasts until fully cooked; cool before shredding or dicing.
- Prepare the apple: Wash, core, and dice the apple into small cubes. Drizzle with lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Chop vegetables and fruit: Finely chop the celery and halve the grapes.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooked chicken, diced apple, chopped celery, halved grapes, and chopped nuts. Add dried cranberries or raisins if desired.
- Make the dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss the salad: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and gently fold until everything is evenly coated.
- Add herbs and season: Fold in fresh herbs if using. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Chill the salad: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve: Stir gently before serving and enjoy the crisp and flavorful chicken apple salad.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time in preparation.
- Granny Smith apples add tartness, while Honeycrisp offers a sweeter flavor.
- Walnuts or pecans provide a nice crunch; toasted nuts add extra flavor.
- Dried cranberries or raisins are optional but add a sweet chewiness to the salad.
- Chilling the salad for 30 minutes enhances the flavor and texture.
- Fresh herbs such as parsley or dill complement the salad well but are optional.
