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.
🥗 What Makes This Apple Walnut Chicken Salad So Good?
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?
📝 What You’ll Need for Apple Walnut Chicken Salad
(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
🔪 Let’s Make Apple Walnut Chicken salad
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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.
💡 Make Apple Walnut Chicken Salad Your Own
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.
🥗 Apple Walnut Chicken Salad – Quick Overview
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
🍴 Time to Dig In!
This 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?
If you’re a fan of chicken recipes, 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 🐔
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