Chicken Salad with Apples Recipe
Introduction
This Chicken Salad with Apples offers a refreshing twist on a classic favorite. Combining tender rotisserie chicken with crisp apples, tart cranberries, and a creamy, tangy dressing, it’s perfect for a light lunch or picnic.
Ingredients
- 2 breasts rotisserie chicken (finely shredded or chopped)
- ½ cup mayonnaise (or more to taste)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (or more to taste)
- ½ lemon (juiced)
- 2 tablespoons fresh tarragon (finely chopped or ½ teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or more to taste)
- 1 small apple (finely diced, Honeycrisp or Fuji)
- 2 stalks celery (finely diced)
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries (roughly chopped)
Instructions
- Step 1: Remove the skin and bones from the rotisserie chicken and chop or shred the meat into bite-size pieces.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, tarragon, and kosher salt until smooth.
- Step 3: Add the shredded chicken, diced apples, dried cranberries, and diced celery to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss everything to coat evenly.
- Step 4: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Step 5: Serve chilled, either in sandwiches, wraps, or over a bed of mixed greens.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crunch, sprinkle toasted walnuts or pecans over the salad before serving.
- Swap out tarragon for fresh dill or parsley if preferred.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lighter dressing.
- Try different apple varieties like Granny Smith for a tarter bite.
Storage
Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir gently before serving again. If the salad thickens after chilling, you can add a splash of lemon juice or a little extra mayonnaise to loosen it.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use cooked chicken instead of rotisserie chicken?
Yes, you can use any cooked chicken, such as grilled or poached, shredded or chopped to your liking.
How can I make this salad ahead of time?
Prepare the salad up to a day in advance and keep it refrigerated. Adding the apples right before serving can help prevent them from browning, but tossing with lemon juice as in the recipe helps keep their color too.
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Chicken Salad with Apples Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A refreshing and flavorful chicken salad combining tender rotisserie chicken with crisp apples, celery, and sweet dried cranberries, tossed in a creamy lemon-tarragon dressing. Perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or served over mixed greens, this easy no-cook recipe delivers a delightful balance of savory and sweet in every bite.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 breasts rotisserie chicken (finely shredded or chopped)
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise (or more to taste)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (or more to taste)
- ½ lemon (juiced)
- 2 tablespoons fresh tarragon (finely chopped) or ½ teaspoon dried tarragon
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or more to taste)
Add-ins
- 1 small apple (finely diced, Honeycrisp or Fuji preferred)
- 2 stalks celery (finely diced)
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries (roughly chopped)
Instructions
- Prep Chicken: Remove the skin and bones from the rotisserie chicken breasts and chop or shred the meat into bite-sized pieces for easy eating.
- Mix Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, freshly squeezed lemon juice, finely chopped tarragon, and kosher salt until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the shredded chicken, finely diced apples, roughly chopped dried cranberries, and diced celery into the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss everything together until the chicken and fruit are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
- Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step allows the flavors to meld and the salad to develop refreshing tastes.
- Serve: Enjoy the chicken salad cold as a sandwich filling, wrapped in a tortilla for a light lunch, or spooned over a bed of fresh mixed greens for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use leftover rotisserie chicken or freshly cooked chicken breasts for ease and flavor.
- Adjust mayonnaise and mustard quantities to achieve your preferred creaminess and tang.
- Substitute tarragon with fresh parsley or dill if unavailable.
- For extra crunch, add chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a lower-fat version, use light mayonnaise or Greek yogurt instead.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chicken salad, apple chicken salad, rotisserie chicken recipe, easy chicken salad, creamy chicken salad, healthy chicken salad
