chicken salad with apples — Makes: *3 Servings*
Per Serving: *32 g Protein | 383 Cal*

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If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times, chicken salad is one of the absolute best proteins to have prepped and on hand during a busy week. I just love a good chicken salad. You can serve it up as a sandwich, tuck it into a wrap or pita, pile it on a bed of greens, or snack on it with crackers and fresh veggies. It’s so versatile, packed with protein and other good-for-you ingredients, and is so easy to make with leftover or rotisserie chicken.

This apple chicken salad has a creamy dressing, crunchy apples and almonds, sweet cranberries and honey, and more, and with 32g of protein per serving, it’ll stick with you even on the busiest days

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Apple Salad Recipe

Packed with Protein: Between the chicken, the almonds, and the Greek yogurt dressing, this creamy chicken salad packs 32g of protein into each serving.
Balanced Flavor: This easy chicken salad recipe blends sweet apples with tart cranberries, crunchy almonds, savory chicken, and tangy, creamy dressing for a mix of flavors that are sure to satisfy.
Great for Meal Prepping: Make a single or double batch of this simple recipe and be ready to go with a delicious lunch or snacks for the next few days.
So Versatile: Eat it on its own, over a bed of lettuce, in lettuce wraps, as a sandwich, in a pita, or in a wrap. You can use it in so many different ways—the options are endless!

chicken salad with apples - sandwich cut in half and stacked

Ingredients

1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (fat-free or low-fat for a lighter option)
2 tablespoons mayo (or sub with more Greek yogurt if preferred)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (use red wine vinegar as a swap if needed)
1 tablespoon honey
1 apple, diced (I like a Honeycrisp apple in this!)
10 oz shredded store-bought rotisserie chicken breast
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup chopped almonds
1/4 cup sliced green onion (red onion is a great substitute - dice it into small pieces instead)
Salt & black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Mix the Greek yogurt-based dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients: plain yogurt, mayo, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and honey. Season with salt and black pepper.
Add the rest of the ingredients: Add the apple, chicken, dried cranberries, almonds, and green onions to the bowl with the dressing. Toss until the ingredients are mixed and well coated in dressing.
Taste and adjust seasonings: Give the salad a quick taste, then add extra salt, pepper, or honey if needed.
Chill: Put the bowl of chicken salad in the fridge for about 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Enjoy: Serve your chicken salad with crackers and veggies, over greens, in a wrap, or on a sandwich. Enjoy!

Nutritional Info (Per Serving - Makes 3 Servings)

Calories: 383
Protein: 32g
Carbs: 19g
Fat: 20g

Swaps & Substitutions

Swap the nuts: Instead of almonds, try using crunchy pecans, walnuts, or something nut-free like sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
Make it dairy-free: Use coconut yogurt or another plant-based yogurt instead of the Greek yogurt.
Add extra crunch: Stir in some diced celery for a nice crunch.
Make it sweeter: Try using dried cherries or golden raisins instead of the dried cranberries.
Add more flavor: Try adding fresh herbs like fresh dill, parsley, or tarragon, or a little lemon zest for brightness.

chicken salad with apples - chicken salad in a bowl

FAQs

Leftover chicken salad should keep well in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, as long as it’s kept in an airtight container. When you’re ready to eat, give it a quick stir because sometimes the dressing will settle while it sits.
If you don’t want to use mayo in this recipe, you can just use extra yogurt instead.
Anything that’s crisp and slightly sweet like Honeycrisp or Gala apples will work the best, but you can use any crisp apples you like best. Granny Smith apples would add a tarter kick to the salad.
If you don’t want to use rotisserie chicken, any pre-cooked chicken will work. Cook a few extra chicken breasts one night and then you'll have leftover chicken you can shred. You could also use canned chicken, just make sure you drain it well and shred it before adding it to the salad.

This chicken salad with apples is the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and crunchy goodness, plus it’s packed with protein to keep you full. Try it for meal prep this week, and let me know how you serve it!