Roasted Apple Chicken Salad Recipe
Meet your new lunch obsession: Roasted Apple Chicken Salad. Imagine tender bites of chicken mingling with juicy, cinnamon-roasted apples, tart cranberries, and crunchy toasted nuts, all wrapped up in a creamy, tangy dressing. This salad is a glorious blend of comforting flavors and satisfying textures, perfect for fall but irresistible all year round. Whether you pile it onto greens for a light meal or tuck it into a sandwich, this dish is bound to brighten your day (and your plate) in the most delicious way!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t believe how such a vibrant Roasted Apple Chicken Salad comes together with just a handful of basic, wholesome ingredients. Each component really pulls its weight to add color, flavor, and heartiness—so don’t skip a thing!
- Apples: The hero of our salad, these get roasted with cinnamon for golden, tender bites bursting with autumnal sweetness.
- Olive oil: Just a drizzle is all you need to help those apples roast perfectly and deepen their flavor.
- Ground cinnamon: Don’t underestimate this warming spice—it transforms the apples into something next-level delicious.
- Cooked chicken breast: Shredded or cubed, it’s a protein-packed base that soaks up all the juicy flavors.
- Chopped celery: Adds a fresh, crisp crunch that brightens every bite.
- Dried cranberries: For pops of sweetness and a hint of tartness that plays so nicely with the apples.
- Toasted pecans or walnuts: These bring irresistibly crunchy, nutty depth; toast them lightly for extra flavor!
- Plain Greek yogurt: Creamy and tangy, this lightens up the dressing while keeping it rich.
- Mayonnaise: Adds a luscious, classic touch and helps balance the yogurt’s tang.
- Dijon mustard: Brings the perfect zippy kick for a flavor-packed dressing.
- Apple cider vinegar: Wake up all the flavors with a splash of bright acidity.
- Salt and black pepper: Don’t skimp—these seasonings tie everything together beautifully.
- Mixed greens or lettuce cups (optional): The freshest vehicle for serving your Roasted Apple Chicken Salad.
How to Make Roasted Apple Chicken Salad
Step 1: Roast the Apples
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss those apple slices with olive oil and a sprinkle of cinnamon until every piece looks delightfully coated. Lay them out on a baking sheet in a single layer—this helps them roast up perfectly. Pop them in the oven for 15 to 18 minutes, making sure to flip the apples halfway through for even caramelization. You’ll know they’re ready when they’re just tender and a little bit golden around the edges. Let them cool slightly so they don’t melt the rest of the salad ingredients!
Step 2: Mix the Salad Base
While your kitchen fills with the aroma of roasted apples, grab a large bowl. Combine your cooked chicken (leftover or rotisserie chicken works wonders here), chopped celery, dried cranberries, toasted nuts, and the warm, roasted apples. This is when the salad starts to look and feel hearty, colorful, and totally inviting.
Step 3: Whisk Together the Dressing
Time to stir up some magic! In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper. This creamy, tangy dressing is the perfect match for all those toasty, fruity flavors. Taste and add a touch more salt or pepper if you crave a bolder bite.
Step 4: Combine and Chill
Pour that dreamy dressing over your chicken-apple mixture and toss until every ingredient gets generous coverage. You want every bite of Roasted Apple Chicken Salad to be a little creamy, a little tangy, and altogether delicious. Cover the bowl and let it chill in the fridge for 15–30 minutes—this lets the flavors meld and gives the salad an extra-refreshing chill.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Spoon your Roasted Apple Chicken Salad onto a bed of crisp greens, stuff it into lettuce cups, or tuck it between slices of hearty bread. However you serve it, take a moment to appreciate those colors and textures—then dig in and savor all your hard work!
How to Serve Roasted Apple Chicken Salad
Garnishes
Let your Roasted Apple Chicken Salad shine with a few simple garnishes! A sprinkle of extra toasted nuts or a handful of microgreens instantly elevates the presentation and adds flavor contrasts. For a touch of sweetness, scatter a few extra cranberries right before serving, and if you love a bit of fresh zing, try snipped chives or parsley on top.
Side Dishes
This salad is a star on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with some classic sides. I love serving it with warm crusty bread, pita chips, or even a simple mixed green soup for a nourishing meal. Roasted sweet potatoes or butternut squash would amplify those cozy fall vibes, while a light vinaigrette-dressed green salad offers a crisp counterpoint.
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful! Serve Roasted Apple Chicken Salad in hollowed-out apple halves for an autumnal touch, or scoop it into little mason jars for a picnic-ready treat. You can even pile it high onto croissants for a savory-sweet brunch, or wrap it up in whole-grain tortillas for a protein-packed lunch to-go. There’s really no limit to how festive and fun you can make this!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Roasted Apple Chicken Salad holds up beautifully in the fridge for about three days. Make sure to keep it in an airtight container, so it stays fresh and the flavors don’t mingle with anything else. The apples might soften a bit after the first day, but trust me, the flavors only get better as they mingle!
Freezing
Freezing is not ideal for this salad. The apples and dressing lose their appealing texture once thawed, resulting in a mushy consistency. If you have to plan ahead, consider prepping the salad ingredients separately and mixing them close to serving time.
Reheating
Roasted Apple Chicken Salad is a dish best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, so there’s really no need to reheat. If you do prefer your chicken just a touch warmer, try letting it sit out for a bit before eating, or gently warm only the chicken (before assembling) in the microwave. The roasted apples taste lovely cold or at room temperature, so enjoy as-is!
FAQs
Can I use a different kind of apple for this salad?
Absolutely! Use whatever apple you love or have on hand. Sweet varieties like Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp work wonderfully, while tart varieties like Granny Smith will give your Roasted Apple Chicken Salad a tangier bite. The key is to pick a crisp apple that holds up well during roasting.
Is there a dairy-free alternative to the Greek yogurt?
Yes, you can easily substitute a dairy-free yogurt or just use additional mayonnaise as the base for the dressing. A coconut or almond milk yogurt with a mild flavor keeps the salad creamy and delicious without the dairy.
Can I make this salad with turkey instead of chicken?
Definitely! Roasted or leftover turkey is a fantastic swap, especially after the holidays. Turkey complements the roasted apples and cranberries beautifully, making this dish just as delightful.
What can I use instead of nuts for a nut-free version?
No nuts? No problem! Sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds (pepitas) bring the same delightful crunch and nuttiness. Toast them lightly for even better flavor, and enjoy a safe and satisfying salad.
How do I keep the apples from turning brown?
The roasting process naturally helps the apples maintain their color and flavor. However, if you’re prepping them ahead of time, toss the apple slices with a bit of lemon juice before roasting or mixing them into your Roasted Apple Chicken Salad. This helps preserve their gorgeous color and fresh taste.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been craving a fresh spin on lunch or a crowd-pleasing light dinner, this Roasted Apple Chicken Salad is your answer. It’s just such a happy, inviting blend of textures and savory-sweet flavors. Go ahead, give it a whirl—one bite and it might just become a staple in your kitchen, too!
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Roasted Apple Chicken Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Roasted Apple Chicken Salad is a delightful blend of flavors and textures, perfect for a light and satisfying meal. Tender roasted apples, juicy chicken, crunchy celery, sweet cranberries, and toasty nuts are all tossed in a creamy dressing for a deliciously wholesome dish.
Ingredients
Roasted Apples:
- 2 medium apples (cored and sliced)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Salad:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast (shredded or cubed)
- 1/3 cup chopped celery
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional mixed greens or lettuce cups for serving
Instructions
- Roast the Apples: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss sliced apples with olive oil and cinnamon, then spread on a baking sheet. Roast for 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until tender and lightly caramelized. Let cool slightly.
- Prepare the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, celery, cranberries, nuts, and roasted apples.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Pour dressing over the chicken mixture and stir until everything is well coated.
- Chill and Serve: Chill for 15–30 minutes before serving. Serve on a bed of greens, in lettuce cups, or in a sandwich.
Notes
- You can use rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Swap pecans for almonds or sunflower seeds for a nut-free version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roasting, Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
