Maple Dijon Chicken Salad with Apples

BY

February 21, 2026

Maple Dijon Chicken Salad with Apples brings sweet maple flavor and tangy mustard together in one fresh bowl. Crisp apples add crunch while tender chicken makes it filling and satisfying. The creamy maple Dijon dressing coats every bite with balanced flavor. This easy salad works for lunch, light dinners, or meal prep throughout the week.


Why Youโ€™ll Love This Recipe

  • Sweet and tangy maple Dijon dressing
  • Crisp apple crunch in every bite
  • High-protein and satisfying
  • Ready in 20 minutes
  • Perfect for meal prep

Preparation and Cooking Time

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
  • 1 crisp apple, diced (Honeycrisp or Fuji)
  • ยฝ cup celery, finely chopped
  • ยผ cup red onion, finely diced
  • โ…“ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
  • ยฝ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt
  • ยฝ teaspoon black pepper

Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter version.


Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Add chicken, apple, celery, red onion, and nuts to a large bowl.
  2. Whisk mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl.
  3. Pour dressing over the chicken mixture.
  4. Fold gently until evenly coated.
  5. Chill for at least 30 minutes for best flavor.
  6. Serve Maple Dijon Chicken Salad with Apples cold.

Serving Suggestions

Serve on croissants, whole-grain bread, or butter lettuce cups. Spoon over mixed greens for a lighter option. Add extra apple slices for garnish.


Quick Tips or Variations

  • Add dried cranberries for more sweetness.
  • Stir in crumbled goat cheese for creaminess.
  • Use rotisserie chicken to save time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What apples work best?

Firm, crisp apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala hold their texture well.

Can I make Maple Dijon Chicken Salad with Apples ahead of time?

Yes. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

How do I keep apples from browning?

Toss diced apples in a little lemon juice before mixing.

Can I freeze this salad?

Freezing is not recommended because the dressing may separate.

Maple Dijon Chicken Salad with Apples delivers sweet maple flavor, tangy mustard, and fresh crunch in every bite. This simple recipe makes lunch easy, fresh, and satisfying.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Maple Dijon Chicken Salad with Apples


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

  • Author: Laura Jennings
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Maple Dijon Chicken Salad with Apples is a sweet and savory lunch recipe with crisp apples and maple mustard dressing.


Ingredients

Scale

3 cups cooked chicken breast shredded

1 crisp apple diced

1/2 cup celery chopped

1/4 cup red onion diced

1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper


Instructions

1. Add chicken apple celery onion and nuts to bowl

2. Whisk mayonnaise Dijon maple syrup vinegar salt and pepper

3. Pour dressing over mixture

4. Fold gently until coated

5. Chill 30 minutes

6. Serve cold

Notes

Use crisp apples

Store up to 3 days

Do not freeze

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Lunch
  • Method: No Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 9g
  • Sodium: 520mg
  • Fat: 24g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 19g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 14g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star