🍏Apple Walnut Chicken Salad – 4 Simple Steps to Fresh & Flavorful Perfection!

Apple Walnut Chicken Salad is the ultimate choice when you’re craving something fresh, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. This vibrant bowl combines juicy grilled chicken, crisp sweet apples, and crunchy toasted walnuts on a bed of fresh greens — all brought together with a creamy honey mustard dressing that’s totally irresistible.

Whether you’re looking for a light dinner, a protein-packed lunch, or just want to switch up your usual salad routine — this recipe is a total win.

Here’s why I keep coming back to this bowl again and again:

It’s packed with protein from the grilled chicken — keeps you full for hours

The mix of crisp apples + crunchy walnuts? Perfection

That honey mustard dressing is just the right amount of sweet and tangy

It’s gluten-free, easy to prep, and totally customizable

Oh, and it looks beautiful too — always a bonus!

Honestly, it’s one of those salads that doesn’t feel like a salad. You know what I mean?

(Serves 4)

🍗 For the Chicken:

1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

1 tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Salt and black pepper to taste

(Optional) 1 tsp Dijon mustard – I like adding this for an extra kick

🥬 For the Salad:

6 cups of your favorite greens — I love baby spinach or a spring mix

1 large apple (I use Honeycrisp or Fuji), thinly sliced

1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped

1/2 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese

1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

1/2 cup dried cranberries (totally optional, but sooo good!)

(Optional) Add cooked quinoa or wild rice if you want to bulk it up

🍯 For the Honey Mustard Dressing:

1/4 cup Dijon mustard

3 tbsp honey

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

Salt and pepper, to taste

Step	Time
Prep Time	15 minutes
Cook Time	10 minutes (for chicken)
Total Time	25 minutes
Servings	2–3 bowls
Difficulty	Easy

1. Cook the Chicken

Rub the chicken with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and a little Dijon (if you’re using it).
Grill or cook in a skillet over medium heat — about 5–6 minutes per side should do it.
Once it’s cooked through, let it rest for a few minutes, then slice it up.

2. Toast Those Walnuts

Heat a dry skillet on medium, toss in the walnuts, and stir them around for a couple of minutes until they smell nice and nutty. Don’t walk away — they toast fast!

3. Whip Up the Dressing

In a small bowl or jar, mix together the Dijon, honey, vinegar, and olive oil. Whisk it all until it’s smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Assemble the Salad Bowls

Start with a bed of greens, then layer on the chicken, apple slices, onion, walnuts, cheese, and cranberries.
Drizzle that gorgeous dressing on top — or serve it on the side if you’re meal-prepping.

In a rush? Use rotisserie chicken and skip the cooking.

No walnuts? Try pecans or pumpkin seeds for crunch.

Want a fall twist? Add a pinch of cinnamon to the dressing — it works, trust me!

Need it heartier? Add brown rice, farro, or quinoa.

Going low-carb? Skip the dried fruit and grains.

Detail Information

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes (for grilled chicken)
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 2–3 bowls
Difficulty Easy
Main Ingredients Chicken, Apples, Walnuts, Greens, Honey Mustard Dressing
Flavor Profile Savory, Sweet, Nutty
Best Served Cold or at room temperature
Perfect For Lunch, Light Dinner, Healthy Meal

If you’re a fan of chicken recipes like Apple Walnut Chicken Salad, we invite you to explore more flavorful options on our site. There’s always something delicious waiting to be discovered — so why not try another tasty dish today? Like 🍽️ Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Chicken – Easy & Elegant Main Course Recipe 🐔

For more healthy and creative salad ideas, check outEatingWell or browse the diverse salad recipes onAllrecipes, where you’ll find delicious options to suit every taste and dietary preference.

This Apple Walnut Chicken Salad salad is more than just a “healthy option” — it’s seriously crave-worthy.
It’s the kind of meal that hits all the right notes: sweet, savory, creamy, crunchy, and light without being boring.

I like to prep all the ingredients on a Sunday and throw the bowls together in minutes during the week. Easy, delicious, and actually exciting to eat — what more could you want?

Thank you so much for taking the time to try this Apple Walnut Chicken Salad! We hope you enjoyed this fresh and healthy dish as much as we do. Don’t forget to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below — we love hearing from you! If you liked the recipe, please feel free to share it with your friends and family so they can enjoy it too. Bon appétit!