Apple Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe

In the mood for a classic salad recipe? We're not talking about the kind of salad with lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers. In this case, we're talking about the type of salad with a creamy mayo base, chopped veggies, and some sort of protein. If those types of salads really speak to you, then we have the perfect recipe for you! Enter, this apple pecan chicken salad. This wonderful side dish or main course comes complete with chopped Granny Smith apples, pecans, and onions that give it the perfect amount of crunchiness in every single bite. We'd be lying if we pretended as though this wasn't one of our favorite salad recipes, and once it hits your lips, we have a feeling that you'll be saying the same.

Recipe developer Catherine Brookes of Blue Sky Eating just put out another slam-dunk meal that is not only aesthetically appealing, but also amazingly delicious. "I love the crunch that this creamy salad has," Brookes raves. "It's a combination of ingredients that you might not have otherwise thought to put together, but they go together wonderfully!" Keep scrolling for step-by-step instructions on how to make this yummy dish. 

Are you in the mood for some apple pecan chicken salad? If so, let's put together a list of ingredients you will need to pick up at the store. 

Start with a pair of cooked chicken breasts. If you have some at home leftover already, you can use those. As you can see in the title, the recipe also calls for a green apple (Brookes used a Granny Smith) and a few pecan halves. While you have your mind on produce, add some red onion and celery to your list. You will also need to pick up mayonnaise and chopped chives. Last but not least, make a list of spices, including salt and onion powder.

After making your list and taking a trip to the store to get all of the ingredients, it's time to get to the actual prep part of the recipe. In this case, there is no cooking involved, which makes the process super easy and quick. Start by grabbing your cooked chicken breasts, a cutting board, and a sharp knife. Cut the chicken into small chunks.

"The chicken can be chopped to suit your preference," Brookes shares. "I went for maybe 1-inch chunks. With the onion, as finely chopped as you can get is good."

Once you finish chopping the chicken, it's a wise idea to keep the cutting board and the knife out, as you still have a few more things to chop. Next, grab your apple. De-core it first, and then dice it into small chunks along with the celery stalks. If you prefer a red apple as opposed to a green one, that's totally fine, as per Brookes. 

Next, grab the red onion and chives. It's always a good idea to save these for last, since they may cause a few tears to be shed. Chop them both, and then set them aside as you will need them in just a moment.

The good news is that you have finished the most labor-intensive part of the recipe, and it's all smooth sailing from here! Grab a large mixing bowl, and add in your chopped chicken to it. Next, add the apple you just chopped, along with the celery, red onion, and chives. 

As with most other "salad" recipes, you can go ahead and dump in the mayonnaise. Then, sprinkle a little bit of salt and your onion powder. Last but not least, add your chopped pecans. Using a spoon, stir the mixture a few times to combine everything well.

The great part about this recipe is that there are several ways to enjoy it. If you'd like, you can get two pieces of bread (Feel free to choose your favorite kind!), scoop the chicken in the center, and eat it as a main course. This would also make an excellent side at a BBQ, potluck, or another similar event.

Even though this has mayo, it should still keep pretty well, so be sure to keep any extra. "Leftovers should keep for up to two days covered in the fridge," Brookes says. Now, dig into this wonderful meal!