Shredded Chicken Salad with Apple and Walnuts
A light, refreshing salad with tender chicken, sweet apple, and crunchy walnuts in a citrus dressing. This american-inspired salads ready in about 25 minutes pairs shredded cooked chicken, medium, diced apple, chopped walnuts for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 2 cups, shredded cooked chicken
- 1 medium, diced apple
- 1/4 cup, chopped walnuts
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp Dijon mustard
- pinch salt
- pinch pepper
- 3 cups mixed greens
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups shredded cooked chicken, 1 medium diced apple, and 1/4 cup chopped walnuts.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/4 tsp Dijon mustard, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of pepper to make the dressing.
- Step 3: Pour dressing over chicken mixture and toss until evenly coated; add 3 cups mixed greens and gently toss to combine without breaking the greens.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Shredded Chicken Salad with Apple and Walnuts take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (25 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Shredded Chicken Salad with Apple and Walnuts?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep shredded cooked chicken from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Shredded Chicken Salad with Apple and Walnuts?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Shredded Chicken Salad with Apple and Walnuts for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Shredded Chicken Salad with Apple and Walnuts?
American salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Loved the balance of flavors. The chicken was moist and the apple was refreshing. Will make again!
- ★★★★★
This salad is a game-changer! The apple and walnuts add the perfect crunch and sweetness. Made it for a dinner party and everyone loved it.
- ★★★★☆
Quick and delicious! The family devoured it for lunch.
