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    Home » Recipe Index » 30 Minute Meals

    Chicken Pecan Salad with Apples

    August 14, 2022 By Rebecca 30 Minute Meals, Chicken Dishes, Cooking for One, One Pot/One Pan Meals, Pantry Dinners, Prep Ahead Meals, Salads

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    This chicken pecan salad, just like Chicken Cranberry and Chicken Salad Pitas are fantastic throw together lunch or dinner. Use precooked chicken, crisp green apple, pecans, and a Greek yogurt/mayonnaise dressing for a tangy salad.

    chicken salad, chips, celery on blue plate

    Table of contents

    • How will this chicken salad recipe make your life easier?
    • What makes this pecan chicken salad so good?
    • How do I make this apple pecan chicken salad?
    • Substitutions/Tips
    • FAQ
    • How can I repurpose?
    • What can I make with leftover ingredients?

    How will this chicken salad recipe make your life easier?

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

    What makes this pecan chicken salad so good?

    apple pecan salad ingredients on table

    How do I make this apple pecan chicken salad?

    white dressing in glass bowl

    Start making your chicken pecan 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

    Next, add chopped cooked chicken, chopped pecans, apple, and celery. Mix together.

    chicken salad in bowl with rubber spatula

    Taste and add salt/pepper if needed. If enjoying as a salad, I recommend doubling the yogurt and mayo so you have a dressing.

    Substitutions/Tips

    • Use rotisserie chicken or any type of pre-cooked chicken. You can also probably use tofu in this chicken pecan apple 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.

    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. Salt can also add flavor.

    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.

    stacked chicken salad sandwich on plate

    How can I repurpose?

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

    What can I make with leftover 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 chicken pecan salad? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

    open faced chicken salad sandwich with sides on plate
    Print Pin
    5 from 5 votes

    Chicken Pecan Salad with Apples

    This chicken pecan salad, just like other chicken salad recipes are fantastic throw together lunch or dinner. Use precooked chicken, crisp green apple, pecans, and a Greek yogurt/mayonnaise dressing for a tangy salad.
    Course Lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 8 minutes
    Servings 1 person
    Author Rebecca

    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!

    Video

    CHICKEN PECAN SALAD

    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.

    Want to get more single serving recipes like this chicken pecan salad delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.

    Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started. 

    More 30 Minute Meals

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      Air Fryer Frozen Salmon for One

    About Rebecca

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian. 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. 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
    2. 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
    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. 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
    5. Michelle says

      August 19, 2022 at 12:11 pm

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

      Reply

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    Rebecca, MS, RDN
    of Nourish Nutrition

    At Nourish Nutrition, you'll find bold, flavorful recipes for one. Most are single serving, and all have suggestions to use up the leftover ingredients so you can stop throwing away unused ingredients & leftovers!

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