Apple Pecan Chicken Salad

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Apple pecan chicken salad is an easy meal that packs a big, satisfying flavor. Use leftover or canned chicken to mix up a delicious sandwich filling or cracker topping that’s full of delicious texture and flavor from pecans, granny smith apples, and the right blend of seasoning.

a sandwich with sliced wheat bread and chicken salad with apples in the middle.

As a stay-at-home mom, I’m always looking for a satisfying quick lunch I can toss together while my son eats or plays. I go for simple things like Italian pinwheels, a BLT hot dog, and this apple pecan chicken salad.

It’s one of my favorite go-to meals. I can throw it together in minutes, and it lasts several days in the fridge, so I know my meal prep is done. The combination of crisp, tart apple, buttery pecans, and creamy seasoned mayonnaise is delicious and can be enjoyed on your favorite sandwich bread or a crisp cracker!

Recipe Features

  • It can be made with canned, drained chicken or by shredding up leftover or rotisserie chicken. (Or Thanksgiving turkey!)
  • 10 minutes is all you need to prep, mix, and start enjoying your salad.
  • Shelf life is 3-5 days, making this recipe the perfect Sunday meal prep choice.

Ingredients & Substitutions

The ingredients for this recipe are easy to find and may likely be in your pantry already. There are also many ways to change it up with what you have on hand!

Ingredients for making chicken salad with apples and pecans including shredded chicken, mayonnaise, and seasonings.
  • Chicken – Drained canned or shredded chicken breast works well here. Shredded turkey is a good alternative.
  • Mayo – Any mayonnaise works, or you can swap in up to half unflavored Greek yogurt. If you use all yogurt, the flavor will be too tart.
  • Apples – Use a crisp apple. I prefer the tartness of granny smith, but any will work.
  • Pecans – I prefer pecan. Any nut, such as almonds or walnuts, is also a good choice.
  • Seasonings – Garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
  • Sugar – Plain white granulated sugar adds a needed touch of sugar.
  • Lemon Zest & Juice – The tang of the juice and lemony zest add the perfect brightness. If needed, skip the zest and use bottled juice or a splash of apple cider vinegar.

Step by Step Instructions

Making chicken salad is about as simple as it gets. In a big bowl combine everything…then eat! In less than 20 minutes you can prep, mix, and eat a very tasty apple pecan chicken sandwich!

a bowl of shredded chicken, diced green apple, mayonnaise, pecans and spices in a large white bowl.

Step 1 – Assemble Ingredients

If needed, shred your chicken. Or, drain your canned chicken and separate any large chunks. Chop the apples and pecans and add them to the chicken. I prefer to keep them bite-sized so it’s easier to eat in sandwich form.

Zest and juice the lemon, then both with the seasonings and mayonnaise.

a bowl of shredded chicken on a wooden table.

Step 2 – Mix and serve

Use a spoon or spatula to gently mix the salad until everything is evenly distributed. Pop a generous scoop of salad onto a slice of white wheat bread or honey wheat bread, or scoop it up with a crisp cracker. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days, though I find it best within 3 days.

Pro Tips

  • If you’re using canned chicken – It tends to be moist, and in large chunks. Break them as you mix so you don’t have large chunks of undressed chicken.
  • If you’re using shredded chicken breasts – It tends to ‘drink’ up the mayo, mix gently so it doesn’t get mushy and be willing to add a bit more mayo if needed.
a sandwich with sliced wheat bread and chicken salad with apples in the middle.

FAQ’s

Is apple chicken salad healthy?

I’m not a health food expert. This salad does contain mayonnaise and a negligible amount of sugar, but as I said, you are welcome to replace up to half the mayo with nonfat plain Greek yogurt. You’ll need to evaluate your diet and the ingredients to see if it is healthy for you.

Do the apples get brown in this?

No! I’ve never had any browned apples thanks to the mixture of mayonnaise and lemon juice.

How far in advance can I make this?

I recommend up to 3 days in advance for best quality, but 5 days is the maximum.

I hope you enjoy the creamy and crunchy texture and the light, vibrant flavor of this apple pecan chicken salad. It regularly appears on my lunch ‘menu’ alongside other favorites like summer kale berry salad, chipotle shrimp bowls, and ground chicken parmesan patties. Make lunch easy, and enjoy every bite!

Love this recipe? Please consider leaving a 5 star rating in the recipe card below, or a comment to share your experience with fellow home cooks. I hope you enjoy and as always, Happy Eating!

Two Apple Pecan Chicken Salads

Apple Pecan Chicken Salad

Mikayla M.
Shredded chicken, crunchy apples and pecans, and a flavorful seasoned mayonnaise dressing makes an easy, flavorful, meal prep friendly lunch.
5 from 19 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Lunch, Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 498 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 20 ounces shredded chicken canned or fresh*
  • 1 medium granny smith apple, diced
  • 1/4 cup pecans, chopped
  • 1/2-3/4* cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tbs lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp white sugar

Instructions
 

  • If using canned chicken, drain well. Add chicken to a bowl.
  • Chop pecans, and finely dice apples. Add to chicken.
  • Top with remaining ingredients and stir until well coated.
  • Serve on sliced bread, crackers, or just eat it!

Notes

* Canned chicken is moist, but needs to be drained. Also break down the larger chunks with your spoon either before or during mixing. Fresh shredded chicken will absorb mayo differently, avoid rapid or overmixing or it can get mushy.
*If using fresh chicken it may require a little more mayo (3/4 cup) to taste well dressed.

Nutrition

Calories: 498kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 36gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 118mgSodium: 576mgPotassium: 399mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 100IUVitamin C: 4.2mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 2.1mg
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Nutrition information and cooking times are provided as a best estimate. Values may vary based upon ingredients and equipment.

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5 from 19 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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28 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Incredible doesn’t even begin to describe it. This recipe is a culinary journey that left me craving more…apples and nuts and thyme, all great flavor combos 🙂

  2. 5 stars
    I love chicken salad but never tried it with pecans! It was such a great combo with the apples and thyme. Gonna be perfect for fall!