Creamy Chicken Salad with Crisp Apples

Name: Creamy Chicken Salad with Crisp Apples
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced; 1 medium apple, cored and diced; 1/3 cup mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1/4 cup celery, finely chopped; 1/4 cup red onion, minced; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, optional

This fresh and crunchy chicken salad is a wonderful way to use up leftover chicken for an easy lunch.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· July 20, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

0 minutes

Total

15 minutes

Serves

There is something so satisfying about the combination of savory chicken and sweet, crisp apples. It has been a favorite in my house for years because it comes together in just a few minutes and tastes great on a croissant or a simple bed of greens.

My biggest tip is to make sure your apples are nice and cold before you chop them. It keeps the salad refreshing and prevents the fruit from going soft too quickly while you are mixing everything up.

🧺 Ingredients

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
1 medium apple, cored and diced
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
1/4 cup red onion, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, optional

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Place the cooked chicken, diced apples, celery, and onion into a large mixing bowl.
2
In a small separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.
3
Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
4
Fold in the walnuts if you are using them for a little extra crunch.
5
Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least thirty minutes before serving to let the flavors blend.

💡 Tips

You can store this in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. It is delicious served in a lettuce wrap, on toasted sourdough bread, or just eaten with a spoon right out of the bowl.

#chicken #lunch #easy #quick #healthy

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