Apple chicken salad is fresh, crunchy, and comes together in about 10 minutes, making it perfect for a quick lunch or easy make-ahead meal. It’s light, creamy, and full of texture thanks to tender chicken, crisp apples, and just the right amount of seasoning.
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Why You’ll Love Chicken And Apple Salad
I love having a quick, delicious recipe that I can pull together quickly, and this one has been in my rotation for years. The mix of tender chicken, crisp apples, and creamy dressing is so satisfying, and the fact that it’s naturally gluten-free is a bonus. It feels fresh without being fussy, and it’s the kind of lunch that keeps you full without weighing you down.
I also really rely on recipes I can prep ahead, and this one fits the bill perfectly. I often batch-cook shredded chicken in the slow cooker and freeze it in one-cup portions, so meals like this are even easier. You can serve it as a sandwich or over greens, but stuffing it into tomatoes makes it look pretty with almost no effort. If you love a classic chicken salad recipe, this bright, crunchy twist is such a fun change. Why this recipe works:
- Fresh, bright flavor
- Great meal prep
- Customizable
- Naturally gluten-free
Ingredient Information And Substitutions
- Chicken- Cooked and shredded chicken breast works best. Leftover rotisserie, baked, or poached chicken are all great options.
- Celery- Adds freshness and crunch. You can swap in chopped cucumber or bell pepper.
- Apple- Sweet-tart apples like SnapDragon or RubyFrost apples bring great flavor. Pears work for a milder, softer sweetness.
- Tomatoes- Use large beefsteak tomatoes for a meal, or Campari tomatoes (slightly larger than cherry tomatoes) for appetizer-sized portions. You could also use lettuce wraps, avocado or in a sandwich.
- Mayonnaise- For a classic creamy texture. Light mayo works well too.
- Plain Greek yogurt- Adds creaminess while keeping things lighter. Regular yogurt or sour cream can be used instead.
- Lemon juice- Helps balance the creaminess and adds freshness. Apple cider vinegar works in a pinch, but start with a little less and adjust to your taste.
- Dried dill- Adds mild herby flavor. Fresh dill also works.
- Garlic powder- Brings savory depth without overpowering. Onion powder is a good substitute.
- Kosher salt- Seasons everything evenly. Table salt can be used, but start with less.
- Black pepper- Adds a little bite and brightness. White pepper works too.
How To Make Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad
Step 1- Mix the chicken salad.
Add the mayo, yogurt, dill, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and lemon juice in a bowl and whisk until it's all fully combined.
Add chicken, celery, apple and stir until everything is evenly coated. Taste and adjust the seasonings to your taste.
Step 2- Fill the tomatoes.
Gently cut the top of each tomato off and use the tip of your knife to carefully cut down into each tomato around the center until you can pull out the core. Be careful not to cut all the way through. Use a spoon to scoop out any seeds or bits of core until the tomato is hollow.
If any of them tip over, trim an ultra-thin slice off the bottom to give it a flat surface. Just take off the tiniest bit so you don’t cut through the base.
Gently pack the chicken salad into each hollowed tomato. Place the stuffed tomatoes in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Poach chicken in lightly salted water until cooked through, then cool and shred. Baking or slow-cooking works too.
Absolutely. Canned chicken takes on flavor well, and with the right mix-ins, it’s not far off from the best canned chicken salad recipe style you’d make at home. Be sure to drain off the liquid really well so the salad isn't too soggy. I prefer Kirkland brand.
It can be. Using Greek yogurt, lean chicken, and plenty of fresh add-ins keeps this version lighter.
I wouldn't recommend it. The texture becomes watery and unpleasant when thawed.
Tips For Making Chopped Chicken Salad
- Use cold chicken. It holds its shape better and mixes more evenly.
- Chop everything evenly. This helps create that perfect scoopable texture.
- Adjust the creaminess. Add more yogurt or mayo if you like it looser, or more chicken if you like it thick.
- Stick to simple seasonings. The flavors in a traditional chicken salad recipe are intentionally basic, so a little dill, salt, pepper, and lemon juice go a long way. But tasting is key, so you can adjust it all to your unique taste.
- Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut. It’s already seasoned and tender, so you can make chicken salad with rotisserie chicken without adding extra cooking time.
- Chill before serving. Even 20-30 minutes in the fridge helps the flavors blend.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- Cook and shred the chicken, then chop the celery and dice the apples right before mixing.
- Leftovers and storage- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
What To Serve With Chicken Apple Salad
To make lunch feel extra satisfying, turn this into a full meal with a few simple sides. Serve this chicken salad with apples with these complementary dishes:
- Chicken and Parmesan Soup with Spinach and Orzo
- Baked Quesadillas
- Pasta and Peas Recipe
- Blueberry Lemon Dump Cake
Other Salad Recipes To Try
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down. Check out my Amazon Store for all my favorite tools, including those used in this recipe. And follow @thelifejolie on Instagram and TikTok!
Apple Chicken Salad
Equipment
- 1 Spatula
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken breast cooked and shredded
- ½ cup diced celery
- 1 large apple peeled and diced
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup plain greek yogurt
- ½ teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 4 large beefsteak tomatoes tops removed and hollowed out (or around 20 Campari tomatoes)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk mayonnaise, greek yogurt, dried dill, salt, pepper, garlic powder and lemon juice until well combined. Taste as you go and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Mix chicken, celery, apple in with the dressing and toss until well combined.
- Carefully stuff the tomatoes with chicken salad. Refrigerate until serving.
Video
Notes
- Use cold chicken. It holds its shape better and mixes more evenly.
- Chop everything evenly. This helps create that perfect scoopable texture.
- Adjust the creaminess. Add more yogurt or mayo if you like it looser, or more chicken if you like it thick.
- Stick to simple seasonings. The flavors in a traditional chicken salad recipe are intentionally basic, so a little dill, salt, pepper, and lemon juice go a long way. But tasting is key, so you can adjust it all to your unique taste.
- Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut. It’s already seasoned and tender, so you can make chicken salad with rotisserie chicken without adding extra cooking time.
- Chill before serving. Even 20-30 minutes in the fridge helps the flavors blend.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- Cook and shred the chicken, then chop the celery and dice the apples right before mixing.
- Leftovers and storage- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
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