If you have been searching for the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and crunchy in your lunch or light dinner, I am thrilled to share this Apple Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe with you. It brings together tender chicken, crisp apples, toasted pecans, and just the right touch of herbs and creamy dressing to create a dish that is as refreshing as it is satisfying. Every bite delivers a delightful mix of textures and flavors that simply brighten your day and make each forkful a celebration of fresh ingredients coming together beautifully.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Apple Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe shines because of its simple, carefully chosen ingredients that each play a vital role in the dish. From the creamy dressing to the crunchy bits, every component works in harmony to offer an unforgettable flavor, texture, and colorful appeal.
- Mayonnaise (½ cup): Provides a rich and smooth base for the dressing with classic creaminess.
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt (½ cup): Adds a tangy freshness and lightens the dressing while keeping it creamy.
- Dijon mustard (1 teaspoon): Gives a gentle zip of sharpness that balances the sweetness in the salad.
- Lemon juice (2-3 tablespoons): Brings bright citrus notes that lift the flavors and keep the apple crisp.
- Fresh dill (1 tablespoon, finely chopped): Infuses the salad with subtle herbaceous hints.
- Fresh parsley (1 tablespoon, finely chopped): Adds a clean, grassy freshness enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Salt and black pepper (½ teaspoon each): Essential seasonings to enhance and balance all the flavors.
- Pecans (½ cup, roughly chopped): Toasted for crunch and a warm nutty depth.
- Dried cranberries (½ cup, optional): Offer a sweet, chewy contrast complementing the savory elements.
- Cooked chicken breast (4 cups, diced into ½-inch cubes): The hearty protein that makes this salad satisfying and filling.
- Seedless red grapes (1 cup, halved or quartered): Bursting with juiciness and sweetness.
- Green apple (1 medium, cored and diced into ¼ inch pieces): Crisp and tart, adding an irresistible crunch and bright flavor.
- Celery (2 sticks, finely diced): Adds fresh crunchiness and a subtle herbal undertone.
- Red onion (½ medium, finely diced): Provides a mild, slightly sweet bite balancing the salad.
- Green onion (2 tablespoons, finely chopped): Enhances the dish with a gentle onion flavor without overpowering.
How to Make Apple Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, dill, parsley, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This dressing is the heart of the Apple Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe, delivering creamy, tangy, and herbal notes that tie all the ingredients together.
Step 2: Toast the Pecans
Using a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the chopped pecans for about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir them frequently to ensure even toasting. When the nuts are fragrant and have turned a lovely golden color, remove them from heat and let them cool. Toasting pecans not only brings out their rich flavor but also elevates the crunch they add to the salad.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced chicken, dried cranberries if using, halved grapes, diced green apple, finely diced celery, red onion, green onion, and the cooled toasted pecans. Gradually add the dressing, folding gently to coat everything evenly without breaking up the chicken. This step is where the familiar Apple Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe magic happens as all the textures and tastes join forces.
Step 4: Chill and Serve
Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld beautifully, giving the dish a chance to develop its signature harmony. Once chilled, give it a final taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Now your Apple Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe is ready to be enjoyed!
How to Serve Apple Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle extra chopped pecans or a few fresh herb leaves like dill or parsley on top before serving. A few crisp lettuce leaves or microgreens as a base can add a lovely fresh crunch and a pop of color that makes your presentation irresistible.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs beautifully with crusty artisan bread, buttery croissants, or crisp crackers for a satisfying meal. You can also serve it alongside a simple green salad or fresh fruit for a well-rounded plate that feels light yet fulfilling.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving this Apple Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe inside crisp lettuce cups or stuffed into halved avocados for an elegant appetizer. You could also layer it in a clear glass for a pretty salad parfait, showing off the colorful layers of apple, grapes, and pecans.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Apple Pecan Chicken Salad covered tightly in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It stays fresh and delicious for up to 3 days, and the flavors continue to meld for a tastier experience over time.
Freezing
This salad is best enjoyed fresh, but if you want to freeze the cooked chicken separately before assembling, that works well. Avoid freezing the entire salad as fresh ingredients like apples and grapes can become watery and lose their texture upon thawing.
Reheating
This Apple Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe is designed to be served cold or at room temperature, so reheating is not necessary. If you prefer warm chicken, reheat it before mixing with the other ingredients to maintain crisp textures and fresh flavor.
FAQs
Can I use other nuts instead of pecans?
Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds make great substitutions and will bring their own unique crunch and flavor while keeping the salad delicious.
Is Greek yogurt a good substitute for sour cream?
Yes, Greek yogurt is a fantastic alternative that adds creaminess with fewer calories and a slight tang, keeping the dressing light yet flavorful.
How far in advance can I prepare this salad?
Ideally, prepare and assemble the salad the day before or the same day for the freshest taste. Allow the salad to chill at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors marry.
Can I make this salad vegetarian?
You can certainly omit the chicken and add chickpeas or extra nuts for protein, turning it into a satisfying vegetarian dish that still boasts the crunch and creamy dressing.
What do dried cranberries add to this recipe?
Dried cranberries bring a lovely chewiness and a burst of sweetness that complements the savory chicken and tart apples, adding another layer of flavor and texture.
Final Thoughts
This Apple Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe has a special place in my heart because it is so easy to make and endlessly versatile, perfect for lunch, picnics, or casual dinners. The brightness of the apples, the crunch of the pecans, and the creamy tang of the dressing come together in such a satisfying way that once you try it, it’s sure to become one of your go-to recipes. Give it a try – I promise it will bring a smile to your face and joy to your table!
Print
Apple Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour (including chilling time)
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Apple Pecan Chicken Salad is a deliciously creamy and crunchy dish combining tender chicken breast with fresh fruits and nuts. Featuring a tangy dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and fresh herbs, this salad offers a balanced harmony of flavors and textures. Perfect for a light lunch or a refreshing side, it’s easy to prepare and serves well chilled on its own, with crackers, or as a sandwich filling.
Ingredients
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 2–3 tablespoons)
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped dill
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Salad
- ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped
- ½ cup dried cranberries (optional, adds flavor, texture, and sweetness)
- 4 cups cooked chicken breast, diced into ½-inch cubes (about 1.5 pounds or 2–3 large chicken breasts, or 1 rotisserie chicken)
- 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved or quartered (about â…“ pound)
- 1 medium green apple, cored and diced into ¼ inch pieces (about 1 cup)
- 2 sticks celery, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- ½ medium red onion, finely diced (about ½ cup)
- 2 tablespoons green onion, finely chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), Dijon mustard, lemon juice, dill, parsley, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This creamy dressing provides the salad with its tangy and herby flavor base.
- Toast the pecans: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and add the roughly chopped pecans. Toast them for about 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning, until they become fragrant and lightly golden. Remove from heat and set aside to cool, which enhances their crunch and flavor.
- Assemble the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the dried cranberries (if using), diced cooked chicken, halved grapes, diced apple, finely diced celery, red onion, green onion, and the toasted pecans. Gradually pour the prepared dressing over the mixture and gently stir to ensure everything is evenly coated and the salad is creamy.
- Chill & serve: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve the salad chilled on lettuce wraps, croissants, sandwich bread, or alongside crackers for a delightful meal or snack.
Notes
- For a healthier twist, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt to reduce fat content and add protein.
- To save time, use pre-cooked or leftover rotisserie chicken.
- Toast pecans carefully, as nuts can burn quickly if left unattended.
- This salad can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge for easy meal prep.
- Feel free to swap pecans with walnuts or almonds if preferred.
- Dried cranberries are optional but add a nice sweet contrast; omit if you prefer less sweetness.
