Apple Walnut Chicken Salad with Creamy Balsamic Dressing
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This Apple Walnut Chicken Salad with Creamy Balsamic Dressing is a crisp, crunchy, and flavorful salad. Made with shredded chicken, juicy apples, feta cheese, crunchy walnuts, all layered on a bed of arugula. Drizzled with a dressing that makes this salad creamy with a tangy taste that compliments the sweetness and tartness of the apples perfectly. Perfect to enjoy on a cool fall day.
Apple Walnut Chicken Salad with Creamy Balsamic Dressing
This Apple Walnut Chicken Salad is loaded with fresh ingredients that are a staple this time of year. Once you take a bite out of this crispy and crunchy salad you will immediately love the flavors and texture. Just the perfect blend of sweet and tangy in a creamy dressing that completes this amazing salad.
This salad is packed with so many nutrients that make it so flavorful and filling. It makes for a great lunch or even a light dinner. It’s loaded with protein, veggies, fruit, and rich in fiber. The Creamy Balsamic Dressing definitely one of the best parts about this delicious salad.
The dressing is made using plain Greek yogurt which is actually pretty healthy as it’s rich in probiotics. Greek yogurt is pretty bitter so when you mix it with balsamic vinegar and all the other ingredients it makes a pretty tangy dressing. This goes perfect with the sweetness from the apple and dried cranberries. Everything about this salad is totally amazing and delicious.
Ingredients needed to make Apple Walnut Chicken Salad:
- Apple– Any kind of crispy apple will work.
- Raw Walnuts– You can also use pecans or almonds.
- Arugula– Or any Leafy Greens
- Shredded Chicken– You can use rotisserie chicken too.
- Dried Cranberries– Or dried cherries.
- Feta– Goat cheese will work too.
- For Creamy Balsamic Dressing– Greek yogurt, balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, pink sea salt, and black pepper.
Equipment needed to make Apple Walnut Chicken Salad:
- Small Mixing Bowl– To make dressing.
- Whisk– To whisk dressing.
- Large Serving Bowl– To serve the salad in.
How to make Apple Walnut Chicken Salad:
- Step 1– In a small bowl, combine all ingredients for dressing; Greek yogurt, balsamic, dijon mustard, extra virgin olive oil, lemon, pink salt and pepper. Whisk until all ingredients are well combined and smooth and creamy texture is reached.
- Step 2– In a large serving bowl spread arugula. Layer the rest of ingredients over arugula and next to each other; sliced apple, shredded chicken, raw walnuts, dried cranberries, and feta.
- Step 3– Drizzle dressing over salad and give it a good toss making sure all ingredients are well combined and coated with dressing.
- Step 4– Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips and Substitutions:
- Switch up your greens- Substitute arugula for any other green like baby spinach or kale.
- Use any kind of apple- You can use kind of apple for this salad. My go-to’s are crispy and crunchy apples such as Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady.
- Toast your walnuts- Slightly toast your walnuts and this will make them crunchier and your salad so much tastier.
- Rub apple slices with a bit of lemon juice on each side- This will prevent your apple from browning if you are not serving your salad right away.
How to serve Apple Walnut Chicken Salad:
This apple walnut chicken salad is pretty versatile and can be served in many ways. My go-to way is in a big bowl for lunch. You can also serve it in bread and made apple walnut chicken sandwiches. Another great idea is to serve it in a wrap and make a chicken salad wrap.
The best apple for salads:
You can use any apple you wish to use for this salad, or any other salad for that matter. However, the best kind of apples to use for salads are those that are crisp and crunchy. Apples that are not quick to brown after being cut or sliced are also a better option. My go-to apples for salads are always Fuji or Pink Lady. Honeycrisp and Jazz are also great options.
*Pro Tip: To prevent your Apple slices from browning even longer, dab them with some lemon juice on each side.
How to slice an apple:
Slicing an apple is pretty easy and you don’t really need any fancy tools other than a good knife. Place the apple on top of a cutting board upright. Start by cutting the apple straight down the core. Then cut down the core again on each half. Remove the seeds and scraps from each fourth of the apple. Face each side down on the cutting board and slice apple as thin or thick as you’d like each slice.
How to make chicken for salads:
You will want to cook your chicken depending on how the specific recipe calls for. Some salad recipes call for grilled chicken for example. For recipes that call for chicken or shredded chicken you can cook your chicken in different methods then shred it. It could be baked, pan fried, or boiled.
You can also cook your chicken in the instant pot or slow cooker. Then shred it and you have yourself some Easy Flavorful Shredded Chicken. For this recipe you can even skip this whole step of cooking chicken and use rotisserie chicken and just shred it.
Apple Walnut Chicken Salad FAQ’s:
Can I make chicken salad ahead of time?
Yes. You can make this apple walnut chicken salad a few hours to a day ahead. Make sure not to add the dressing until you are ready to serve. This will prevent the salad from getting soggy. You can also rub a bit of lemon juice on your apple slices. This will prevent them from turning brown.
Can I use rotisserie chicken or make chicken on the grill?
Yes. You can use any kind of cooked chicken you have on hand.
Can I eat this salad warm or cold?
This salad is best when served cold.
Storing Apple Walnut Chicken Salad:
Place any leftover apple walnut chicken salad in an airtight container. If the salad already has dressing on it, keep it refrigerated for up to 1 day. If it doesn’t have dressing drizzled over it, keep it refrigerated for up to 2-3 days.
Did you like this recipe for Apple Walnut Chicken Salad? You may also like these other fall salad recipes:
Apple Walnut Chicken Salad with Creamy Balsamic Dressing
This Apple Walnut Chicken Salad with Creamy Balsamic Dressing is a crisp, crunchy, and flavorful salad. Made with shredded chicken, juicy apples, feta cheese, crunchy walnuts, all layered on a bed of arugula. Drizzled with a dressing that makes this salad creamy with a tangy taste that compliments the sweetness and tartness of the apples perfectly. Perfect to enjoy on a cool fall day.
Ingredients
For Salad:
- 1 cup arugula
- 1 Apple sliced
- 1/2 cup shredded chicken
- 1/4 cup raw walnuts
- 2 tbsp dried cranberries
- 1 tbsp feta
For Dressing:
- 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon
- 1/2 tsp pink sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
In a small bowl, combine all ingredients for dressing; Greek yogurt, balsamic, dijon mustard, extra virgin olive oil, lemon, pink salt and pepper. Whisk until all ingredients are well combined and smooth and creamy texture is reached.
In a large serving bowl spread arugula. Layer the rest of ingredients over arugula and next to each other; sliced apple, shredded chicken, raw walnuts, dried cranberries, and feta.
Drizzle dressing over salad and give it a good toss making sure all ingredients are well combined and coated with dressing.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- Switch up your greens- Substitute arugula for any other green like baby spinach or kale.
- Use any kind of apple- You can use kind of apple for this salad. My go-to’s are crispy and crunchy apples such as Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady.
- Toast your walnuts- Slightly toast your walnuts and this will make them crunchier and your salad so much tastier.
- Rub apple slices with a bit of lemon juice on each side- This will prevent your apple from browning if you are not serving your salad right away.
*Number of total servings in estimated. Actual number of servings may vary depending on your own personal preference in portion sizes.
**Nutritional values shown are general guidelines for 1 serving using the ingredients listed above. These numbers do not reflect and may vary depending on substitutions, additions and/or different brands and/or other ingredients that may be used.
**Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links and sponsored content. All the opinions are my own and I only recommend products I use in my own home with my own family.
*Post updated as of 6/29/2020
**Photos updated as of 10/22/2020
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