Name: Harvest Chicken Salad with Apples & Cranberries
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: american
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced; 1 medium apple, such as Fuji or Honeycrisp, cored and diced; 1/2 cup dried cranberries; 1/4 cup chopped celery; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon black pepper; optional: 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts for added crunch

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This Harvest Chicken Salad with Apples & Cranberries is a fantastic way to bring fresh, vibrant flavors to your table with minimal effort.

It’s packed with lean protein, crisp fruit, and a touch of sweetness, making it a satisfying and healthy option for any meal. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or a light dinner, this recipe delivers on both taste and convenience.

This recipe is designed to be straightforward and delicious, perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep. The combination of tender chicken, crunchy apples, and chewy cranberries creates a delightful texture and flavor profile that’s sure to become a family favorite.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This recipe truly shines because it’s incredibly versatile and forgiving, making it ideal for home cooks of all skill levels. You’ll love how quickly it comes together, especially if you use pre-cooked chicken, transforming it into a meal that’s ready in minutes. It’s a fantastic option for meal prepping healthy lunches for the week, as it holds up beautifully in the refrigerator. Families will appreciate its balanced flavors and appealing textures, and it’s a great way to introduce more fruit into your diet in a savory context. Serve it for a light and refreshing lunch on a warm day, as a quick and easy dinner when you’re short on time, or even as a delicious side dish for a potluck or picnic. It’s also perfect for those who are looking for a healthy and satisfying alternative to heavier meals, offering a burst of freshness with every bite.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients for this chicken salad is simple, and many of them are likely already in your pantry or refrigerator. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the ability to easily swap out ingredients based on what you have on hand or what your family prefers. Don’t feel pressured to buy specialty items; everyday staples are all you need to create a delicious and satisfying dish.

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
1 medium apple, such as Fuji or Honeycrisp, cored and diced
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Optional: 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts for added crunch

For the cooked chicken, you can use leftover roasted chicken, rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, or even boil and shred chicken breasts specifically for this recipe. If you’re not a fan of mayonnaise, plain Greek yogurt can be a fantastic substitute for a lighter, tangier dressing. Feel free to experiment with different types of apples; Granny Smith will add a tart contrast, while Gala offers a sweeter note. If dried cranberries aren’t your favorite, golden raisins or even finely chopped dried apricots can be used instead. For the celery, if you don’t have it, a small amount of finely diced red onion can add a similar crunch and a bit of a sharper flavor, but use sparingly.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This recipe is designed for efficiency, making it perfect for busy schedules.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes

This assumes you are starting with pre-cooked chicken. If you need to cook the chicken from scratch, you’ll need to factor in an additional 15-20 minutes for boiling or baking the chicken breasts and allowing them to cool slightly before shredding or dicing.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating this delicious Harvest Chicken Salad is a breeze. Follow these simple steps to achieve a perfectly balanced and flavorful dish every time.

Prepare the Chicken: If you’re starting with whole cooked chicken, shred or dice it into bite-sized pieces. Aim for uniform pieces so that each bite of salad is consistent. Place the chicken in a large mixing bowl.
Dice the Apple and Celery: Core the apple and dice it into small, even pieces. You can leave the skin on for extra fiber and color, or peel it if preferred. Wash and finely chop the celery. Add both to the bowl with the chicken.
Add Dried Cranberries and Nuts (Optional): Stir in the dried cranberries with the chicken, apple, and celery. If you’re using pecans or walnuts, add them now for an extra layer of crunch and flavor.
Whisk the Dressing Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper until completely smooth and well combined. The dressing should be creamy and slightly tangy.
Combine and Mix: Pour the prepared dressing over the chicken mixture in the large bowl. Using a spatula or large spoon, gently fold all the ingredients together until everything is evenly coated with the dressing. Be careful not to overmix, as this can break down the chicken too much.
Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Take a small taste of the chicken salad. Adjust the salt and pepper if necessary. You might also want to add a touch more apple cider vinegar for extra tang or a pinch of sugar if you prefer a sweeter profile.
Chill Before Serving: For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate the chicken salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This Harvest Chicken Salad is incredibly adaptable, making it a perfect fit for various tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly version, you might want to finely dice the apple and celery even smaller, and consider using golden raisins instead of cranberries if your children prefer them. You can also serve it on mini slider buns or with crackers for a fun, deconstructed meal.

For a heartier meal, serve generous scoops of the chicken salad in large lettuce cups (like butter lettuce or romaine) for a low-carb option, or pile it high on toasted whole-grain bread, croissants, or in a pita pocket. It’s also fantastic served alongside a green salad or a bowl of soup. For a party or buffet, arrange small portions on cucumber slices or endive spears, or offer it with a variety of crackers and breadsticks for guests to serve themselves.

Different Fruits: Pears, grapes (halved), or even finely diced mango can replace or complement the apple and cranberries.
Herbs: Fresh dill, parsley, or chives, finely chopped, can add a wonderful aromatic lift to the salad.
Spice: A tiny pinch of curry powder in the dressing can introduce a warm, exotic flavor.
Crunch Factor: Toasted slivered almonds, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds can be used in place of or in addition to pecans or walnuts.
Creamy Base: For a lighter option, use a mix of mayonnaise and Greek yogurt, or all Greek yogurt. Avocado, mashed, can also replace some of the mayonnaise for a creamier, healthier twist.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Being aware of these can help you achieve perfect results every time.

One frequent mistake is over-dressing the salad. Too much mayonnaise or dressing can make the chicken salad soggy and heavy, masking the fresh flavors of the other ingredients. To avoid this, start with about half the recommended dressing amount, mix, and then add more gradually until you reach your desired consistency. It’s easier to add more than to take it away.

Another common issue is not chilling the salad long enough. While you can technically eat it right away, the flavors truly develop and meld after at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator. Skipping this step can result in a less cohesive and flavorful dish. Plan ahead to give it that crucial chilling time.

Cutting ingredients unevenly can also impact the texture and experience. If some apple pieces are large and others are tiny, you won’t get a consistent crunch in each bite. Take a moment to dice your apple and celery into roughly uniform pieces for the best texture.

Finally, using warm chicken can lead to a less appealing texture and can cause the dressing to separate. Always ensure your cooked chicken is cooled completely before adding it to the salad. If you’re in a hurry, you can spread the cooked chicken on a plate and chill it in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to speed up the cooling process.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

Proper storage is key to enjoying your Harvest Chicken Salad for days. Once prepared, transfer the chicken salad to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The flavors tend to deepen over time, making it an excellent candidate for meal prep.

When making it ahead, assemble the entire salad as directed, including the dressing. The acid from the apple cider vinegar in the dressing helps prevent the apples from browning too quickly. If you’re particularly concerned about the apples losing their crispness, you can dice them just before serving or add a squeeze of lemon juice to the diced apples before mixing them in. However, for typical meal prep within 3-4 days, the salad generally holds up very well.

Freezing

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.

Harvest Chicken Salad with Apples & Cranberries

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