Apple Walnut Chicken Salad is a delicious meal that balances sweet and savory. It has different textures and the flavors develop more as it chills in the fridge. It’s easy to prepare with ingredients that are pantry staples or can be picked up at any grocery store!
What kind of nuts can I use instead of walnuts?
Pecans or almonds are great alternatives to walnuts in this chicken salad!
What kind of apples should I use for Apple Walnut Chicken Salad?
You can use whatever apples you have on hand. The best would be an apple that maintains firmness and doesn’t become mushy. If you go with a more tart apple like Granny Smith, plan to increase the amount of honey this recipe calls for to adjust for the lack of sweetness.
If you’re looking for a way to use up some apples, check out our recipe for Jewish Apple Cake!
What should I serve Apple Walnut Chicken Salad with?
This Apple Walnut Chicken Salad is great on its own or as a sandwich. We served it on potato buns with lettuce, but you can serve it on any type of bread like our artisan sourdough recipe. It could also be served in a wrap! On the side, you can serve it with chips, pretzels, or carrots.
How to Make Apple Walnut Chicken Salad:
Ingredients
2 ½ cups – 3 cups of shredded cooked chicken
1 ½ cups diced apples (1 large apple, or 2 small)
1 cup of diced celery
¾ cups of chopped walnuts
½ cup of mayonnaise
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Food Prep:
Your chicken should be cooked and shredded before beginning this recipe. You can use leftover cooked chicken, a rotisserie chicken, or even canned chicken!
Core and dice a large apple or two small ones to get the equivalent of 1 ½ cups. You can leave the apple peels on. We did, but that’s a preference. Chop enough walnuts to get ¾ cups. Wash and cut celery so that diced it equals 1 cup.
Apple Walnut Chicken Salad
In a bowl, combine 2 ½-3 cups of shredded cooked chicken, 1 ½ cups of diced apples, ¾ cups of chopped walnuts, ½ cup of mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Mix until combined. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Chill the chicken salad for at least an hour before serving. When ready to serve, mix and taste, adding and adjusting salt and pepper to preference.
Serve on potato buns with lettuce and enjoy!
Apple Walnut Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups to 3 cups of shredded cooked chicken
- 1 ½ cups diced apples 1 large apple, or 2 small
- 1 cup of diced celery
- ¾ cups of chopped walnuts
- ½ cup of mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Food Prep
- Your chicken should be cooked and shredded before beginning this recipe. You can use leftover cooked chicken, a rotisserie chicken, or even canned chicken!
- Core and dice a large apple or two small ones to get the equivalent of 1 ½ cups. You can leave the apple peels on. We did, but that’s a preference. Chop enough walnuts to get ¾ cups. Wash and cut celery so that diced it equals 1 cup.
Apple Walnut Chicken Salad
- In a bowl, combine 2 ½-3 cups of shredded cooked chicken, 1 ½ cup of diced apples, ¾ cups of chopped walnuts, ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Mix until combined. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Chill the chicken salad for at least an hour prior to serving. When ready to serve, mix and taste, adding and adjusting salt and pepper to preference.
- Serve on potato buns with lettuce and enjoy!
Save for Later
