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    Home » Recipe Index » 30 Minute Meals

    Apple Pecan Chicken Salad (for one)

    August 14, 2022 Updated April 19, 2024 By Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD 30 Minute Meals, Chicken Dishes, Cooking for One, Fall Recipes, One Pot/One Pan Meals, Pantry Dinners, Prep Ahead Meals, Salads

    Jump to Recipe

    This apple pecan chicken salad, is a fantastic throw together lunch or dinner. It just takes 10 minutes! Use precooked chicken, green apple, pecans, and a Greek yogurt/mayonnaise dressing for a tangy salad.

    stacked chicken salad sandwich on plate

    Table of contents

    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Storage Tips
    • Substitutions/Tips
    • FAQ
    • Other good chicken salad recipes
    • Repurpose this chicken salad
    • What to do with leftover ingredients?

    Meal plans are great, but we don't always make them or are able to follow them. That's why pantry meals are so important so we can eat something delish without much effort.

    That's where this apple pecan chicken salad comes in, and other Pantry Meals.

    If you have (or are building) a well stocked pantry, you can throw this easy recipe together. And as always, swap out ingredients for what you have.

    Quickly cook a frozen chicken breast or tender, or use some precooked or rotisserie chicken. Both can be frozen, or batch cooked for the week.

    For example, green apples add a wonderful crunch and tang, but another type is good, or you can add dried fruit.

    Ingredients

    Scroll down to the apple pecan chicken salad recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick visual + description of what's in this recipe.

    apple pecan salad ingredients on table
    • Precooked chicken: Save time with precooked or rotisserie chicken, but you can quickly poach or pan fry frozen or fresh chicken. I typically pan fry frozen chicken tenders in some water to keep them from drying out.
    • Celery
    • Apple: I love a granny smith apple or other tart apple, but use whatever you prefer or have.
    • Pecans: Chopped pecans are great in this chicken salad, but you can use any kind of nuts in it.
    • Mayonnaise: My favorite chicken salad dressing is a combination of mayonnaise and plain Greek yogurt for it's sweet/tangy blend. Use what you want in this apple pecan chicken salad.
    • Plain Greek yogurt
    • Dijon mustard
    • Garlic salt
    • Something to serve it on/with: greens for a salad, bread or croissant or pita for a sandwich, etc. This apple pecan chicken salad is versatile and so tasty!

    Instructions

    Scroll down to the apple pecan chicken salad recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.

    white dressing in glass bowl

    1. Start making your apple pecan chicken salad by adding the dressing ingredients (Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, garlic salt, and Dijon mustard) to a medium sized bowl. Whisk together until smooth.

    apples, celery, pecans in mixing bowl

    2. Add chopped cooked chicken, chopped pecans, apple, and celery. Mix together.

    chicken salad in bowl with rubber spatula

    3. Taste and add salt/pepper if needed.

    If you're enjoying this apple pecan chicken salad, I recommend doubling the yogurt and mayo so you have a dressing.

    Storage Tips

    You can easily make a few extra servings of this apple pecan chicken salad. For the crunchiest vegetables and nuts, add those prior to serving. This chicken salad should last in an airtight container for about 3-5 days or so in the fridge.

    Substitutions/Tips

    • Use rotisserie chicken or any type of pre-cooked chicken. You can also probably use tofu in this apple pecan chicken salad to make it vegetarian.
    • I like a mix of plain Greek yogurt and mayo for a bit of tangy flavor, but you can just use yogurt or mayo if that's all you have. If you have just mayo, but want some tanginess, add a dash of white or apple cider vinegar.
    • Double the yogurt/mayo if making a salad, as it'll act as a dressing, this is usually too drippy to enjoy as a sandwich or wrap.
    • Make extra servings for leftovers. You can typically store leftover chicken pecan salad in an air tight container in the fridge for 5 days, but just use the sniff test (does it smell good?) to avoid wasting food as it can last longer.
    • Other great add-ins: sliced green or red onion, swap the pecans for other chopped nuts, swap the apples for grapes or dried fruit, omit celery if you don't have it. This apple pecan chicken salad is delicious in many ways!

    FAQ

    Are pecans good in chicken salad?

    Yes, pecans are very good in chicken salad, really all nuts are good in chicken salad. Pecans are added to this chicken pecan salad recipe, it's delicious.

    What do I do with bland chicken salad?

    My favorite added flavors to chicken salad are: mustard, Greek yogurt, and garlic salt. They add a nice flavor without overpowering the chicken. If you need more tang, add Greek yogurt or white or apple cider vinegar.

    Can I boil chicken to make a chicken salad?

    Yes, honestly it's my favorite way to make chicken salad. It's easy, doesn't take much attention, and allows you to season your chicken salad however you want, I used boiled/steamed chicken to make this chicken salad.

    chicken salad, chips, celery on blue plate

    Other good chicken salad recipes

    • Chicken Salad Pita
    • Dried Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad

    Repurpose this chicken salad

    Serve your apple pecan chicken salad as a salad, sandwich, wrap, in a pita, with crackers, or however you want!

    What to do with leftover ingredients?

    When you're cooking for one, you often have leftover produce, cans of whatever ingredient, etc. Here are a couple ideas on how to use up the leftover ingredients. It'll help you save money by wasting fewer ingredients.

    • Chicken: Creamy Mushroom Chicken with Rice, Watermelon Chicken Salad, Buffalo Chicken Flatbread
    • Celery: dip into Jalapeno Artichoke Dip or Queso Dip, Delicata Squash Soup
    • Apple: Spinach Apple Smoothie, Apple Cucumber Salad, Apple Pie Overnight Oats
    • Pecans: Kale Apple Pecan Salad, Bananas Foster Pancakes
    • Greek Yogurt: Overnight Oats with Yogurt, Broccoli Greek Yogurt Salad, Greek Yogurt Bowl, Triple Berry Smoothie with Granola.

    Did you make this apple pecan chicken salad? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

    open faced chicken salad sandwich with sides on plate

    Apple Pecan Chicken Salad (for one)

    This apple pecan chicken salad, is a fantastic throw together lunch or dinner. It just takes 10 minutes! Use precooked chicken, green apple, pecans, and a Greek yogurt/mayonnaise dressing for a tangy salad.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 8 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1 person
    Author: Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN

    Equipment

    • cutting board
    • knife
    • medium mixing bowl
    • small whisk
    • rubber spatula

    Ingredients

    • 1.5-2 Tablespoon Plain Greek yogurt or regular plain yogurt
    • 1.5-2 Tablespoon Mayonnaise
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • ¼ teaspoon Garlic salt
    • ½ whole Chicken breast about 2 ounces
    • ½ cup Granny smith apple chopped
    • ¼ cup Celery chopped
    • 1 Tablespoon Pecans chopped
    • Optional: lettuce, bread, pita, etc for serving

    Instructions

    • Add dressing ingredients to medium sized mixing bowl: 1.5-2 Tablespoon plain Greek yogurt, 1.5-2 Tablespoon mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, ¼ teaspoon garlic salt. Whisk until smooth.
    • Add chopped pre-cooked chicken breast (about ½ whole breast), ½ cup chopped granny smith apple, ¼ cup chopped celery, 1 Tablespoon chopped pecans to dressing mix. Stir together with rubber spatula or spoon.
    • Serve over lettuce, as a sandwich, wrap, or pita. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • Use rotisserie chicken or any type of pre-cooked chicken, or probably even tofu for a vegetarian version.
    • Just use yogurt or mayo if that's all you have. Add a dash of white or apple cider vinegar to mayo if you want it a bit tangier. 
    • Double the yogurt/mayo if making a salad, it'll be your dressing, this is usually too drippy to enjoy as a sandwich or wrap.
    • Make extra servings for leftovers. You can typically store leftover chicken pecan salad in an air tight container in the fridge for 5 days, but just use the sniff test (does it smell good?) to avoid wasting food as it can last longer.
    • Other great add-ins: sliced green onion, swap the pecans for other chopped nuts, swap the apples for grapes or dried fruit, omit celery if you don't have it.
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    About Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian who has been cooking for one for over 10 years. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michelle says

      August 19, 2022 at 12:11 pm

      5 stars
      Love the pecans in your version for some extra crunch and nuttiness.

      Reply
    2. Kim says

      August 15, 2022 at 7:58 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! Makes a great meal prep chicken salad and a great way to use leftover chicken. I am making this frequently and it always disappears!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        August 17, 2022 at 11:04 am

        totally! it's so easy with leftover chicken

        Reply
    3. Jamie says

      August 15, 2022 at 7:21 pm

      5 stars
      I love how the dressing used Greek yogurt! This salad was so satisfying and I loved the crunch of the apples.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        August 17, 2022 at 11:04 am

        apples are the best part of it honestly!

        Reply
    4. Gina Abernathy says

      August 15, 2022 at 5:53 pm

      5 stars
      Super simple and a great tasting salad. Green apples are my favorite and I love pecans in my salad.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        August 17, 2022 at 11:04 am

        same! enjoy

        Reply
    5. Caitlin says

      August 15, 2022 at 5:45 pm

      5 stars
      This is my new go to recipe for lunch prepping, so easy and delicious!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        August 17, 2022 at 11:04 am

        great to hear! it's so easy

        Reply
    5 from 5 votes

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