This easy Apple Chicken Salad is one of my favorite recipes to keep in the refrigerator throughout the week. It’s fresh, flavorful, packed with protein, and versatile enough for everything from quick lunches at home to easy meal prep.
Whether you’re looking for an easy lunch, a quick meal prep recipe, or something delicious to pack in lunchboxes, this chicken salad checks every box. Serve it on bread, in wraps, with crackers, or turn it into bite-sized pinwheels for little ones.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Chicken Salad
- Quick and easy to make – Ready in just 15 minutes with simple, everyday ingredients.
- Perfect for meal prep – Make a batch ahead of time for easy lunches throughout the week.
- Great for school lunches – Pack it in sandwiches, wraps, or roll it into pinwheels for an easy lunchbox option.
- Packed with protein – Made with tender chicken and Greek yogurt for a filling meal that helps keep you satisfied.
- Family-friendly – A recipe both kids and adults will enjoy.
- No reheating needed – Serve it chilled, making it ideal for lunches, picnics, and busy days on the go.
Why It’s Great for School Lunches
This Apple Chicken Salad is one of my favorite make-ahead lunches because it stays fresh in the refrigerator for several days and tastes just as delicious served cold. That means you can prep a batch at the beginning of the week and quickly assemble lunches each morning.
For younger kids, I love rolling the chicken salad into a tortilla and slicing it into pinwheels. They’re easier for little hands to hold, create less mess, and fit perfectly inside a lunchbox. For older kids and adults, it’s just as delicious on a sandwich, croissant, or served with crackers for a simple lunch.
To build a balanced lunch, pair it with fresh fruit, crunchy vegetables, a whole grain like crackers or pretzels, and a dairy option such as yogurt or cheese. Everything can be packed ahead of time, making busy mornings a little less hectic.
Looking for more school lunch inspiration? Be sure to check out my School Lunch Ideas guide for even more kid-friendly lunch recipes, plus my roundup of the best lunch boxes for kids to help you choose the right lunchbox for every age and stage
Recipe Tips
- Dice everything into small, even pieces. Finely chopping the apples, celery, and green onions gives every bite the perfect balance of flavors and makes the chicken salad easier to serve on sandwiches, wraps, or crackers.
- Keep the apples fresh. If you’re making this ahead of time, toss the diced apples with a little lemon juice before mixing them into the salad to help prevent browning.
- Start with less dressing. You can always add more if needed, but starting with a little less helps prevent the salad from becoming overly creamy.
- Use a crisp, sweet apple. Honeycrisp is my favorite, but Pink Lady, Fuji, or Gala all add the perfect crunch and natural sweetness.
- Wait to assemble sandwiches. If you’re meal prepping, store the chicken salad separately and build sandwiches or wraps just before serving to keep the bread from getting soggy.
How to Store
Store leftover Apple Chicken Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
I don’t recommend freezing it, as the dressing and apples can become watery after thawing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make Apple Chicken Salad the night before?
Yes! In fact, I think it tastes even better after a few hours in the refrigerator.
What’s the best apple to use?
Honeycrisp is my favorite because it’s sweet, juicy, and stays crisp, but Fuji, Gala, and Pink Lady are all excellent choices.
Can I use canned chicken?
Yes. Just drain it well before mixing with the dressing.
Can I make this healthier?
Absolutely. Replace some or all of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
How do I keep apples from browning?
Toss them with a little fresh lemon juice before mixing them into the salad.
More Easy School Lunch Recipes
If you’re looking for more make-ahead lunches, be sure to check out:
Apple Chicken Salad
Ingredients
For the Chicken Salad
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 Honeycrisp apple finely diced
- 2 celery stalks finely diced
- 2 tablespoons finely diced shallot
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
For the Dressing
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme chopped
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to tasteFor the Dressing
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme chopped
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, chopped thyme, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Add the shredded chicken, diced apple, celery, shallot, dried cranberries, and chopped pecans to the bowl.
- Gently stir until everything is evenly coated in the dressing.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
- Serve immediately, or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Notes
- For the best flavor and texture, refrigerate the chicken salad for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Honeycrisp apples add the perfect balance of sweetness and crunch, but Pink Lady, Fuji, or Gala apples also work well.
- To prevent the apples from browning, toss them with a little lemon juice before mixing them into the salad if preparing ahead.
- Enjoy this chicken salad on croissants, sandwiches, wraps, with crackers, or rolled into tortilla pinwheels for an easy school lunch.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
