Chicken Pecan Apple Salad (Printable)

Tender chicken combined with toasted pecans, crisp apples, and creamy dressing in a fresh salad.

# Ingredient List:

→ Protein

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded (about 10.5 oz)

→ Nuts

02 - 3/4 cup pecan halves, toasted and roughly chopped

→ Fruits & Vegetables

03 - 1 large apple, cored and diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
05 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced

→ Dressing

06 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
07 - 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
08 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
09 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 tsp honey
11 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish (optional)

12 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
13 - Mixed salad greens, for serving

# Directions:

01 - Toast pecan halves in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes until fragrant. Allow to cool, then chop roughly.
02 - In a large bowl, mix the chicken, toasted pecans, diced apple, sliced celery, and finely diced red onion.
03 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, honey, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
04 - Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently until evenly coated.
05 - Taste the salad and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
06 - Serve chilled or at room temperature on a bed of mixed salad greens. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in 30 minutes flat, making weeknight dinners feel less like a chore and more like a treat.
  • The balance of creamy, crunchy, and tart hits every texture and flavor note your palate secretly wants.
  • It's forgiving enough to adapt—swap out the apple for grapes, add a handful of dried cranberries, or lighten it with extra yogurt whenever the mood strikes.
02 -
  • Don't skip toasting the pecans—it's the single move that elevates this from ordinary to genuinely delicious, and it takes just minutes.
  • If you're making this ahead, store the salad and dressing separately and combine right before eating, or the greens will wilt and the apple will soften more than you want.
03 -
  • If you use rotisserie chicken, pull the skin away before shredding—it keeps the salad from feeling greasy and lets the other flavors shine.
  • A touch of apple cider vinegar whisked into the dressing adds complexity and helps preserve the apple's color if you're making this ahead.

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