Apple Almond Chicken Salad

This Apple Almond Chicken Salad is still one of my favorites. It's perfect for meal prepping for lunches too. It's the perfect Paleo and Whole30 lunch as it gives you your protein, veggies, healthy fat, and fruit all in one bowl. If you love chicken salad as much as I do you may want to try this Herbed Chicken Salad or this Chicken Salad with Cranberries and Walnuts.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I love how healthy and satisfying this chicken salad is. Having so many delicious textures like crispy apples, chewy cranberries, tender chicken bites and crunchy almond slivers makes this apple almond chicken salad special.

Ingredients You Will Need

Chicken breast: is a lean cut of meat from the chicken that can be baked, grilled or poached and is so versatile. I love Grass Roots Coop for all of my meat purchases. You can use PENNYP to save!

Celery: is a nutrient rich, low calorie food and adds a delightful crunch to this salad.

Vidalia onion: are a sweet onion with a mild flavor and higher sugar content. They are perfect for when you don't want the bold pungent flavor of a yellow onion to stand out in a recipe.

Pink Lady apple: is my favorite apple! I love the sweet-tart crisp bite it has that adds a refreshing burst of flavor to this salad. It is also my apple of choice as it is slow to oxidize (turn brown) making it the perfect choice for this make ahead salad.

Dried cranberries: are made by partially dehydrating fresh cranberries which gives them a chewy texture much like raisins. They are the perfect additions to salads to add a delicious burst of sweet, tart and tang all at once.

Almond slivers: are high in fiber and a number of vitamins. They have an earthy, nutty and slightly floral flavor. These add to the delightful texture of any apple chicken creation.

Dried thyme: is a pungent herb that can withstand longer cooking times in stews and soups and adds a depth of flavor.

Lemon: adds a fresh, bright, and tangy element, which can help balance the richness of the other ingredients.

Avocado oil mayonnaise: offers a unique creamy texture and a healthier fat profile.

Salt and black pepper: salt enhances the overall flavor of the dish and ground black pepper adds a gentle heat.

Instructions

Roast: your chicken if you do not have any pre-cooked on hand. I roast at 350˚ for approximately 30-40 minutes depending how thick the breast meat is. I also drizzle a little olive oil on it with a sprinkle of salt, pepper and paprika.

Cube: the chicken into small bite sized pieces.

Core the apple: and dice it and toss it with the lemon juice in a small bowl and set aside. This step is crucial in preparing your apple almond chicken salad mixture.

Combine: the mayonnaise with all the spice in a large bowl and stir well.

Add the chicken: onion, celery and cranberries, tossing well to coat with the mayonnaise mixture.

Add apples: and almonds and gently fold in using a rubber spatula so as to not break the almond slivers apart too much.

Enjoy!

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Cook extra chicken: during the week when you might be making it for dinner so you have enough to make a chicken salad for lunches!

Recipe Variations

Walnuts: are a great alternative to the almonds in this salad.

Raisins: are a perfect swap for the dried cranberries. Be sure they are unsweetened if you want to keep this recipe Paleo or Whole30 friendly.

Granny Smith apples: are perfect in this recipe too for a little extra tang and crunch!

Tarragon: is the perfect herb in place of thyme in this recipe.

Storage Tips

You can store this apple almond chicken salad in the refrigerator for 5 days when placed in an airtight glass container. Apple almond chicken combinations should always be refrigerated properly.

FAQs About Apple Almond Chicken Salad

How do I keep the apples from turning brown?

Tossing them in lemon juice will prevent them from turning brown in your salad.

What spices are good in chicken salad?

Tarragon, thyme, and parsley to name a few.