Apple walnut chicken salad takes classic chicken salad to an entirely new place. With sweet apples, the bite of red onions, and the crispy, crunchy textures of chopped walnuts and diced celery, this delicious chicken salad makes the perfect appetizer, lunch, or dinner, and it’s so easy to make. That’s always a plus!
Chicken salad is a classic dish that almost everyone has either made or eaten – probably both. I’ve been making it for as long as I can remember. I helped my grandmother and mother in the kitchen when they made it, and I continued to make it when I became a mom. It’s just such a marvel of simplicity and flavor, coming together so quickly and providing such delicious, complex flavor.
This recipe really ups the flavor and texture, and it’s no more difficult to make than regular chicken salad. Yay!
And, here is a Creamy Chicken Salad with walnuts and red grapes that you might enjoy, and it’s absolutely delicious too!
Why You’ll Love Chicken Salad with Apples and Walnuts
- Budget-Friendly: This recipe uses ingredients that are as affordable as they are basic.
- Limited Ingredients: It only takes a handful of ingredients to make!
- Easy: This recipe comes together in just minutes, making it the perfect last-minute appetizer or weeknight dinner.
- Flavorful: This chicken salad is packed with flavor and texture.
Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: Shredded chicken breasts are the base for any chicken salad.
- Mayonnaise and Apple Cider Vinegar: These ingredients create a rich, tangy dressing base for the salad.
- Granny Smith Apples: Granny Smith apples have the perfect balance of sweet and tart for the salad.
- Onions: Red onions add a nice bite to the salad.
- Walnuts and Celery: Walnuts and celery add extra flavor and crunchy texture to the salad.
For a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts, see the recipe card at the end of the post.
Flavor Variations
- Spicy: Add red pepper flakes for a kick of heat.
- Bacon: The smoky flavor of crumbled bacon is a great addition to this chicken salad.
- Miracle Whip: For a tangier chicken salad, try Miracle Whip.
How to Make Apple Walnut Chicken Salad
- Step 1: Boil the chicken until no longer pink, then set it aside to cool a bit.
- Step 2: Combine the mayo, vinegar, and seasonings in a small bowl.
- Step 3: Shred the chicken and add it to the mayo mixture.
- Step 4: Add the remaining ingredients to the chicken mixture, cover, and chill. Enjoy with crackers or as a chicken salad sandwich.
Hint
Shred the chicken as soon as it’s safe enough to handle for the easiest shredding.
Storage
Refrigerate this apple walnut chicken salad for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Freezing is not recommended. The mayo will break and make a grainy, water mess.
What to Serve with Apple Walnut Chicken Salad
Serve this chicken salad with your favorite crackers, or make it a sandwich with your favorite bread or rolls.
Tips
- Cool meat is difficult to shred, so shred your chicken as soon as it’s safe enough to handle.
- Be sure to mix the ingredients in the order specified in the recipe. This helps keep the vegetables from releasing too much liquid into the salad.
- To remove the sting of cutting the onions, refrigerate them for about 30 minutes before dicing them.
- Chill your chicken salad for at least a couple of hours before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicken salad will get watery after being stored overnight. It’s perfectly normal. Simply mix the salad again to redistribute the liquid and enjoy.
Two shredding claws work very well. For even faster shredding, use a hand mixer or stand mixer with paddle attachment to shred the chicken quickly and easily.
Chicken salad is delicious with crackers, vegetables, chips, or on sandwiches made with your favorite bread.
You sure can. Granny Smith apples have the perfect balance of sweet and tart, however, other sweeter apples will also work well!
Try This Delicious Apple Walnut Chicken Salad Today
With so many flavors and textures going on in this apple walnut chicken salad, this is one you have to try. It’s absolutely delicious, and it’s beyond easy. You can’t beat combination like that! Give this a try, and I know you’ll find yourself making it again and again.
More Delicious Chicken Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Apple Walnut Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts, boneless skinless
- 1 ½ cups mayonnaise
- 1 ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Granny Smith apple, coarsely chopped (1 large apple)
- 1 small red onions, diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1 cup celery, diced
Instructions
- In a medium pot filled with water, over medium heat, boil chicken until it is no longer pink. Remove chicken and place on a cutting board to cool a bit.
- In a large bowl, add mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, pepper, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Shred chicken and add to mayo mixture. Stir.
- Add apples, red onions, chopped walnuts, and celery. Stir to combine.
- Cover and place in the fridge to chill.
- Serve on croissants or with your favorite crackers.
Notes
Tips
- Cool meat is difficult to shred, so shred your chicken as soon as it’s safe enough to handle.
- Be sure to mix the ingredients in the order specified in the recipe. This helps keep the vegetables from releasing too much liquid into the salad.
- To remove the sting of cutting the onions, refrigerate them for about 30 minutes before dicing them.
- Chill your chicken salad for at least a couple of hours before serving.
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