This 30-minute Apple Walnut Chicken Salad with cranberries perfectly balances sweet and savory. It's perfect for busy days when you need a quick, satisfying meal. It's light, easy to make, and great for meal prep.
This recipe includes crispy apples, walnuts, dried cranberries, and shredded chicken. It's sweet, savory, and a refreshing twist on classic chicken salad.
I love making these into Apple Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwiches with croissants for a delicious lunch or light dinner.
If you need another good chicken salad recipe, try my Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad or my Chicken Salad without Mayo recipes.
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Ingredients & Substitutions
- Shredded Chicken - You will need two cups of cooked shredded chicken. You can bake the chicken in the oven (instructions in recipe card). Use leftover chicken or store bought rotisserie chicken.
- Light Mayonnaise - You can use regular mayonnaise, light mayonnaise, or even Greek yogurt. If you use Greek yogurt, use 1 ¼ cups. You could also use Miracle Whip, but it has a sweeter flavor, so I wouldn't recommend it.
- Apples - For this recipe, you'll need about one apple, preferably a sweet, crisp apple like fuji or Honeycrisp apples. Granny Smith Apples can be used for a tangier bite.
- Celery - It adds a refreshing crunch. If you don't have celery, you can also use other crunchy vegetables like cucumbers or bell peppers.
- Walnuts - Adds a toasty, nutty flavor to the salad. You can also use sliced almonds or pecans.
- Dried Cranberries - Add a sweet and tangy punch to the chicken salad. You can use other dried fruit like raisins or chopped dried cherries.
- Garlic and Onion Powder - Adds a savory depth that compliments the sweet ingredients.
Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below
How to Make Apple Walnut Chicken Salad
Step 1 | Chop Your Ingredients
Chop the apples, celery, and walnuts into small, bite-sized pieces for better consistency in the salad.
Step 2 | Combine All The Ingredients
Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. Mix until well combined. Season with salt and black pepper.
Step 3 | Serve
Serve immediately with whole grain crackers, in a sandwich, or as a wrap. For lunch throughout the week, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Tips & Notes
Chop finely: The key to a creamy chicken salad is to cut the ingredients as small as possible and shred the cooked chicken as best you can. You can do this by hand or use a food processor.
Chill before serving: For the best-tasting chicken salad, refrigerate the chicken salad for 1-2 hours before serving. The flavors meld together and taste even better.
Make It a Chicken Salad Sandwich
- Whole Wheat Sandwich: Layer the chicken salad between two slices of whole grain bread with tomato and arugula for a nutty, peppery bite.
- Buttery Croissant Sandwich: For a light, refreshing lunch, serve the chicken salad in a buttery croissant with lettuce, tomato, and thinly sliced red onion.
- Tortilla Wrap: Wrap the salad in a large tortilla, and add spinach or cucumber slices for crunch.
- Lettuce Cups: Spoon the salad into romaine or butter lettuce leaves and top with more walnuts for texture.
Make it Without Mayo
For a lighter, tangier twist, use 1 ¼ cups of Greek yogurt instead of mayo. The flavor will be slightly different, but I think it's just as delicious!
Meal Prep
Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge, and it will stay fresh for up to 4 days. The apples won't brown, even after 2-3 days. This recipe makes about four servings, perfect for a quick lunch throughout the week.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Balanced Flavor: Sweet apples and cranberries paired with savory chicken and walnuts.
- Versatile: Enjoy it in sandwiches, wraps, or with crackers.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Perfect for meal prep, with ingredients that stay fresh for days.
Sides for Chicken Salad
- Grapes: A refreshing complement to the savory flavors.
- Crackers: Serve the salad as a dip with buttery crackers.
- Side Salad: Pair with a simple green salad for a light, balanced meal.
Tried this recipe? Let everyone know how it turned out! Your feedback and tips help others decide if they should make it.
30 Minute Apple Walnut Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 1 cup light mayonnaise or regular
- 1 cup chopped fuji or honey crisp apples about 1 apples
- ½ cup chopped celery about 2 stalks
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Chop the apples, celery, and walnuts into small, bite-sized pieces for better consistency in the salad.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients together in a bowl. Mix until well combined.
- Serve immediately with crackers, in a sandwich, or as a wrap. For lunch throughout the week, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!