Apple Walnut Chicken Salad

Get ready to elevate your lunch game with this mouthwatering apple walnut chicken salad recipe. It’s a delightful twist on the classic, bursting with a medley of flavors.

Picture this: tender chicken, crisp apples, crunchy walnuts, and juicy grapes, all tossed together in a creamy, tangy dressing. It’s a texture extravaganza! 

As a bonus, this salad is a breeze to whip up.

Just a few simple steps, and you have a delicious, healthy meal perfect for any occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Walnut Chicken Salad

Versatile: You can enjoy it multiple ways: on a bed of lettuce, in a sandwich or wrap, or with crackers.

Quick and Easy: This salad can be prepared in under 30 minutes. It’s a straightforward recipe with minimal cooking and simple mixing.

Crowd-Pleaser: The combination of sweet apples, crunchy walnuts, and juicy grapes creates a delightful mix sure to impress guests.

Perfect for Meal Prep: This salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. It’s a convenient option for meal prepping.

Ingredients

• Cooked Chicken Breast: This dish’s star provides a lean protein base with a mild flavor, allowing the other ingredients to shine.
  
• Granny Smith Apple: Tart and crisp, it adds a refreshing crunch and balances the sweetness of the grapes and honey in the dressing.
  
• Chopped Walnuts: Toasted to perfection, these nuts bring an earthy, nutty flavor and a satisfying texture to every bite.
  
• Celery: It brings a crisp texture and a subtle flavor to complement the chicken and apples.
  
• Red Onion: Diced finely, it lends a sharp, slightly sweet taste and a vibrant pop of color to the salad.
  
• Red Grapes: Juicy and sweet, they add a burst of freshness and a delightful contrast.
  
• Fresh Parsley: It brings a bright, fresh flavor and a beautiful green hue to the dish.
  
• Dressing: It’s a creamy blend of mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, and garlic powder.

How to Make Apple Walnut Chicken Salad

Making this salad is so easy, you’ll want to whip it up all the time! 

1. Combine the main ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the diced chicken, apple, celery, toasted walnuts, red onion, grapes, and parsley.

2. Make the dressing. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.

3. Toss with the dressing. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and gently stir until everything is evenly coated.

4. Refrigerate to blend the flavors. Cover and refrigerate the chicken salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

5. Serve chilled. Serve the apple walnut chicken salad on a bed of lettuce, in a sandwich or wrap, or with crackers. Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Apple Walnut Chicken Salad

Follow my tried-and-true tips for the very best chicken salad.

• Choose your chicken. You can use rotisserie chicken for convenience or cook chicken breasts at home. Poaching or roasting works well to keep the chicken moist.
  
• Pick the perfect apples. Use a crisp, crunchy apple variety like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith for the best texture and flavor.
  
• Get toasty. Lightly toast the walnuts before adding them to the salad for more flavor and crunch.
  
• Chop chop! Chop the apples, celery, and chicken into small, uniform pieces so you get a bit of everything in each bite.
  
• Serve it your way. Serve apple walnut chicken salad over a bed of greens, in sandwiches or wraps, stuffed in lettuce cups, with crackers, or on its own.

How to Store

This salad is perfect for making ahead and enjoying throughout the week.

To Store: Place leftovers in an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3-5 days. Ensure the salad is kept at a consistent, cold temperature to prevent spoilage.

For the best results, store the dressing separately and mix just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.