The Perfect Chicken Apple Walnut Salad Recipe for Lunch Joy

A chicken apple walnut salad reimagines ordinary ingredients into a vibrant culinary experience that dances across your palate.

Crisp textures intertwine with robust flavors, creating a harmonious blend of natural goodness.

Tender proteins mingle with sweet fruit and earthy nuts, offering a nuanced gastronomic adventure.

Each ingredient contributes its unique character, building complexity and depth in every forkful.

Nutritional benefits shine through this colorful medley of fresh components, promising both satisfaction and wellness.

Light yet substantial, this salad appeals to health-conscious food lovers seeking delightful meal options.

Prepare to elevate your dining experience with this elegant and accessible dish.

What You’ll Need for Crunch, Cream, and Color

• Mixed Greens: Fresh, crisp base that provides a nutritious foundation for the salad.
• Romaine Lettuce: Adds extra crunch and additional green volume.

• Grilled Chicken: Lean protein that makes the salad hearty and satisfying. Choose boneless, skinless chicken breast for best results.

• Red Apple, Green Apple: Sweet and tart elements that provide refreshing crunch. Crisp varieties work best for salads.
• Red Onion: Sharp flavor that adds a zesty bite to the salad. Thinly slice for better distribution.
• Celery, Grapes: Additional crisp ingredients that contribute texture and subtle sweetness.

• Candied Walnuts: Crunchy, sweet accent that elevates the salads flavor profile. Homemade or store-bought options available.

• Olive Oil: Smooth base that helps bind dressing ingredients. Extra virgin recommended for best flavor.
• Vinegar, Honey: Balances dressing with tangy and sweet notes.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance overall taste.

Tossing Together Freshness in Every Bite

Step 1: Prepare the Salad Base

Spread a layer of fresh, crisp greens on a large serving plate or bowl. Create a colorful foundation for your salad.

Step 2: Add Delicious Toppings

• Tender cooked chicken
• Crisp apple slices
• Sweet grapes
• Crunchy celery
• Zesty red onion
• Candied walnuts for an extra crunch

Step 3: Whip Up the Dressing

• Whisk the ingredients in a bowl until smooth and well blended
• Use a food processor to puree the dressing for an ultra-smooth consistency

Step 4: Finish and Serve

Drizzle the freshly made dressing over the salad. Serve immediately to enjoy the perfect blend of flavors and textures. The combination of crisp greens, juicy fruits, tender chicken, and crunchy nuts will make this salad a crowd-pleaser.

Smart Salad Tips You’ll Want to Keep

• Crisp Chicken Selection: Choose rotisserie or grilled chicken breast for maximum flavor and tender texture.
• Apple Freshness Hack: Use crisp, sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith to add bright crunch and prevent browning by cutting just before serving.
• Candied Walnut Perfection: Toast walnuts briefly before candying to enhance their nutty depth and ensure a delightful caramelized coating.
• Dressing Emulsion Trick: Whisk dressing ingredients vigorously or pulse in a blender to create a smooth, well-integrated sauce that coats salad ingredients evenly.
• Serving Smart: Assemble salad components separately and dress immediately before eating to maintain optimal texture and prevent wilting of greens.

Keep It Crisp for Meals Later On

• Refrigerator Storage: Transfer leftover salad to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing separate to prevent the greens from becoming soggy and wilted.
• Room Temperature Warning: Never leave the salad at room temperature for more than 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth and potential foodborne illness.
• Reheating Tip: For best results, enjoy the chicken apple walnut salad cold. If you prefer warm chicken, quickly reheat the chicken separately in a skillet or microwave before adding it back to the fresh, crisp greens and other ingredients.

What Complements This Crunchy Delight

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio complements the salad's light, fresh flavors, cutting through the richness of the candied walnuts and enhancing the apple's sweetness.
• Serve with Rustic Sourdough Bread: Toasted sourdough slices provide a delightful crunch and hearty base that balances the salad's delicate textures, making the meal more satisfying.
• Match with Sparkling Water and Citrus: A glass of sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon or lime adds a refreshing touch, cleansing the palate between bites and highlighting the salad's bright, zesty profile.
• Complement with Chilled Herbal Tea: A cool mint or chamomile tea offers a soothing counterpoint to the salad's tangy dressing and adds a subtle, refreshing dimension to the meal.

Fresh Takes to Reinvent Your Salad

• Harvest Fusion Salad: Replace chicken with roasted turkey breast and swap grapes for dried cranberries for a seasonal autumn-inspired version.
• Mediterranean Remix: Substitute chicken with grilled lamb, add feta cheese, kalamata olives, and use a lemon-oregano vinaigrette instead of the original dressing.
• Vegetarian Protein Power: Swap chicken with grilled tofu or roasted chickpeas, keep the candied walnuts for crunch, and add quinoa for extra protein and texture.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Swap regular chicken for chili-lime seasoned grilled chicken, add black beans, corn kernels, and replace the original dressing with a chipotle-lime vinaigrette for a zesty kick.

Why Chicken Apple Walnut Salad Works Any Time of Day

• Crafting Flavor Harmony: This salad brilliantly balances sweet, tangy, and savory notes with crisp apples, tender chicken, and candied walnuts creating a symphony of taste in every bite.
• Nutrition Powerhouse: Packed with lean protein from chicken, healthy fats from walnuts, and fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, this salad delivers a wholesome meal that energizes and satisfies without feeling heavy.
• Quick Culinary Magic: Requiring just 15 minutes of preparation, this recipe offers a gourmet experience with minimal effort, perfect for busy professionals or anyone craving a delicious, sophisticated lunch or dinner option.
• Texture Adventure: The combination of crunchy candied walnuts, juicy apples, crisp celery, and tender chicken creates a delightful textural journey that keeps every forkful exciting and enjoyable.

Chicken Apple Walnut Salad Recipe

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4.5 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Fresh, crisp chicken apple walnut salad combines succulent chicken, sweet apple slices, and crunchy walnuts over mixed greens. Mediterranean-inspired ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a light yet satisfying meal that delights your palate with each refreshing bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups spinach or spring mix greens
• ½ cup grilled chicken breast, cubed
• ⅓ cup candied walnuts
• ½ cup apple, cubed
• ½ cup red seedless grapes, sliced in half

Complementary Ingredients:

• 1 stalk celery, sliced
• 1 tablespoon red onion, finely diced

Vinaigrette Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ shallot, minced
• 2 tablespoons honey or agave
• 2 tablespoons apple sauce
• ¼ cup canola oil
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch pepper

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Instructions

1. Arrange a bed of crisp, verdant greens on a spacious serving platter or in a generous mixing bowl.
2. Layer sliced grilled chicken breast over the greens, creating an appealing protein foundation.
3. Scatter freshly diced apples, halved grapes, thinly sliced celery, and delicate rings of red onion across the salad surface.
4. Sprinkle candied walnuts generously, providing a delightful crunch and sweet-nutty dimension.
5. For the dressing, combine olive oil (60 milliliters or 2 fluid ounces), apple cider vinegar (30 milliliters or 1 fluid ounce), honey (15 milliliters or 0.5 fluid ounces), Dijon mustard (10 milliliters or 0.33 fluid ounces), salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
6. Whisk dressing ingredients vigorously until thoroughly blended and slightly emulsified, or alternatively, pulse in a food processor for a smoother consistency.
7. Immediately before serving, drizzle the prepared dressing evenly over the salad, ensuring each ingredient is lightly coated.
8. Serve promptly to maintain the greens’ crispness and the ingredients’ optimal temperature and texture.

Notes

• Customize this salad by swapping out mixed greens for baby spinach or arugula for a peppery twist.
• Meal prep tip: Keep dressing and salad ingredients separate until ready to serve to maintain maximum crunch and freshness.
• Candied walnuts can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to a week, adding convenient crunch to multiple meals.
• Choose crisp, tart apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of flavor and texture in this salad.
• Transform leftovers by quickly chopping chicken and mixing with remaining dressing as a quick sandwich or wrap filling the next day.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 40mg