This Chicken Apple Salad is a fresh, colorful meal filled with crisp romaine, juicy Gala apples, tender chicken, sharp cheddar cheese, sweet dried cranberries, and a homemade maple balsamic dressing. It has just the right balance of savory, sweet, tangy, and crunchy flavors, making it an easy choice for lunch or a light family dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There is plenty to love about this simple chicken salad with apples. The crisp lettuce and fresh apples keep every bite refreshing, while cheddar cheese and sliced chicken make the salad satisfying enough to serve as a complete meal.
The maple balsamic dressing brings everything together with a lightly sweet and tangy finish. Better yet, the recipe uses straightforward ingredients and comes together quickly, making it practical for busy weekdays, meal prep, or a relaxed family meal.
Ingredients
- 6 cups romaine lettuce
- 2 Gala apples, cored and sliced, about 3 cups
- 1 cup cubed cheddar cheese, about 4 ounces
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 12 ounces cooked sliced chicken, about 3 cups
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons 100% pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add the romaine lettuce, sliced apples, cheddar cheese, grape tomatoes, dried cranberries, and red onion to a large serving bowl.
- Arrange the cooked sliced chicken over the salad ingredients.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, pure maple syrup, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, and black pepper until well blended.
- Drizzle some of the dressing over the Chicken Apple Salad just before serving.
- Gently toss to coat the ingredients, or leave the chicken arranged on top for presentation.
- Serve immediately with the remaining maple balsamic dressing on the side.
Tips & Tricks
For the best texture, use crisp, fresh romaine and add the dressing shortly before serving. This helps prevent the lettuce from becoming soggy.
Gala apples add natural sweetness, but Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Pink Lady apples also work beautifully. If you prefer a more tart flavor, try Granny Smith.
To keep sliced apples looking fresh, toss them with a small amount of lemon juice before adding them to the salad.
Leftover roasted or grilled chicken is an easy shortcut. Be sure any prepared chicken and cheese you use meet your halal dietary requirements.
For extra crunch, add toasted pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds. You can also substitute feta or another favorite cheese for the cheddar.
If you prefer a slightly less sweet maple balsamic dressing, begin with less maple syrup and adjust it to taste.
Details
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes when using cooked chicken
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: About 6 servings
Category: Salad, Main Course
Method: No-Cook, Tossed
Cuisine: American-Inspired
Difficulty: Easy
Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly when prepared with halal-certified chicken and suitable cheese; naturally pork-free and alcohol-free
Notes
This apple chicken salad is especially convenient when you have leftover cooked chicken in the refrigerator. Grilled, roasted, or simply seasoned chicken all pair well with the maple dressing.
For a lighter serving, reduce the cheddar or serve it on the side. For a heartier meal, pair the salad with warm bread, roasted vegetables, or a simple soup.
The dressing can also be prepared ahead and refrigerated in a sealed container. Whisk or shake it well before serving.
Nutrition
Approximate nutrition will vary depending on serving size and the exact brands and quantities used.
Per serving, approximately:
Calories: 440
Protein: 27 g
Carbohydrates: 31 g
Fat: 25 g
FAQ
What apples are best for Chicken Apple Salad?
Gala apples are an excellent choice because they are crisp and naturally sweet. Honeycrisp, Fuji, Pink Lady, and Granny Smith are also good options depending on whether you prefer a sweeter or more tart salad.
Can I make chicken salad with apples ahead of time?
Yes, but it is best to store the dressing separately. You can prepare most of the salad ingredients ahead, then add the apples and dressing closer to serving for the freshest texture.
What dressing goes well with chicken and apple salad?
A maple balsamic vinaigrette pairs particularly well with chicken and apples. Maple syrup complements the sweetness of the fruit, while balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard provide acidity and savory depth.
Can I use leftover chicken?
Absolutely. Leftover grilled or roasted chicken makes this recipe particularly quick. Slice or cube the cooked chicken before adding it to the salad.
How can I keep the apples from turning brown?
Lightly coat the apple slices with lemon juice after cutting them. This helps slow browning while adding a subtle brightness that works well with the other salad ingredients.
Can I customize this salad?
Yes. Try different crisp apples, swap the cheddar for another suitable cheese, or add nuts and seeds for extra crunch. The salad is easy to adjust based on what you have available.
Storage
For the best results, store the salad components and maple balsamic dressing separately.
Keep leftover undressed salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The apples may gradually soften or brown, so freshly sliced apples provide the best results.
The dressing can be refrigerated separately in a sealed container for several days. Allow chilled dressing to sit briefly at room temperature and whisk or shake before using if the oil has thickened.
Freezing the assembled salad is not recommended because lettuce, apples, tomatoes, and cheese can lose their desirable texture after thawing.
This salad is best served cold or at room temperature, so reheating is unnecessary. If desired, the chicken can be warmed separately before adding it to the fresh salad.
Similar Recipes
HEALTHY Chicken Apple Salad with Maple Balsamic Dressing
Ingredients
- 6 cups romaine lettuce
- 2 Gala apples cored and sliced, about 3 cups
- 1 cup cubed cheddar cheese about 4 ounces
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved lengthwise
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 12 ounces cooked sliced chicken about 3 cups
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons 100% pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add the romaine lettuce, sliced apples, cheddar cheese, grape tomatoes, dried cranberries, and red onion to a large serving bowl.
- Arrange the cooked sliced chicken over the salad ingredients.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, pure maple syrup, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, and black pepper until well blended.
- Drizzle some of the dressing over the Chicken Apple Salad just before serving.
- Gently toss to coat the ingredients, or leave the chicken arranged on top for presentation.
- Serve immediately with the remaining maple balsamic dressing on the side.
Notes
Conclusion
This Chicken Apple Salad makes it easy to turn everyday ingredients into a flavorful, satisfying meal. Crisp apples, tender chicken, cheddar, cranberries, and fresh vegetables create plenty of contrasting textures, while the homemade maple balsamic dressing adds a delicious sweet-and-tangy finish.