Harvest Chicken Salad Recipe is one of those delightful dishes that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Combining tender chicken, crisp apples, crunchy pecans, and the sweet-tart burst of dried cranberries all tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing—it’s a celebration of fall’s best flavors in every bite. You’ll find it perfect for lunchboxes, cozy dinners, or even casual get-togethers when you want something satisfying and fresh. If you love a salad that balances textures and tastes effortlessly, this recipe is definitely for you!
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What Makes This So Good
This Harvest Chicken Salad Recipe shines because it brings together a mix of sweet, savory, creamy, and crunchy textures that delight your palate in every forkful. It's a refreshing yet hearty salad that doesn’t feel like eating “just greens” but a complete satisfying meal.
- Big Flavor, Minimal Fuss: You get a vibrant mix of tastes with just one bowl and a simple dressing—no complicated sauces needed.
- Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters tend to love the familiar yet exciting combo of apple and chicken, making lunch or dinner easier.
- Simple Ingredients: Everything is easy to find year-round, and the dressing uses pantry staples you probably already have.
- Works Any Night: Whether it’s a busy weeknight meal or a weekend gathering, this salad comes together in minutes and keeps well for leftovers.
Ingredient Guide
Getting familiar with each ingredient will help you tailor the Harvest Chicken Salad Recipe perfectly to your taste or pantry. I'll share a few personal tips on picking and prepping so you’re ready to create something delicious every time.
- Chicken Breasts: I like cooking mine ahead of time—grilled, roasted, or poached—all work great as long as you dice them into bite-sized pieces for easy eating.
- Apple: Go for a crisp apple like Honeycrisp or Fuji so you get a juicy crunch that balances the creaminess of the dressing.
- Celery: Adds a fresh snap and subtle earthiness; slice it finely so it doesn’t overpower the salmon texture.
- Green Onions: I love these for their mild bite and color—slice thinly to spread that flavor throughout.
- Dried Cranberries: They bring a sweet-tart pop that keeps the salad lively and seasonal.
- Pecans: Toast them lightly to deepen the nuttiness—trust me, it makes a difference in texture and taste.
- Greek Yogurt & Mayonnaise: The combo creates a dressing that’s creamy without being too heavy. Use full fat Greek yogurt if you can for richness.
- Lemon Juice & Dijon Mustard: These punch up the dressing with brightness and slight tang—fresh lemon juice is always best!
- Garlic & Onion Powder: Small amounts add subtle layers of flavor without overwhelming the salad’s fresh ingredients.
Quick Reminder: Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
How to Make Harvest Chicken Salad Recipe
Step 1 — Prep & Ready
Start by prepping your chicken, apple, celery, and green onions. Dice the chicken into small, uniform pieces to ensure every forkful has a little bit of everything. The apple should be diced the same size as the chicken so it mixes evenly without one flavor dominating. Thinly slice the green onions and chop your pecans if they’re whole. I always toast my pecans briefly in a dry skillet for a couple of minutes until fragrant—that extra step gives a warm, toasty aroma that makes the salad feel truly cozy.
Step 2 — Cook with Confidence
This recipe doesn’t call for further cooking since the chicken should already be cooked. What you’ll do next is whisk together the dressing ingredients until smooth—Greek yogurt, mayo, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Give it a taste to adjust salt and acidity; it should be creamy with a gentle tang. When you pour it over the chicken and fruit mixture, you’ll notice how everything lightly glistens with the dressing—that’s when it’s ready for a gentle toss.
Step 3 — Finish & Serve
After tossing, taste your Harvest Chicken Salad once more. Sometimes a pinch more salt or a splash of lemon juice brightens it up perfectly. Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature. I love plating it over crisp greens or stuffing it into a buttery croissant for a delicious lunch. The pecans add that final satisfying crunch, making each bite a perfect harmony of textures and flavors.
Extra Helpful Tips
Making this Harvest Chicken Salad Recipe is easier—and tastier—when you keep a few tricks in mind from my kitchen to yours. You’ll avoid common pitfalls and see how small tweaks really elevate the final dish.
- Watch for This Sign: When mixing the salad, don’t overdress it. You want each ingredient lightly coated, not swimming. Overly saucy salads can get soggy fast.
- Temperature Trick: Let your cooked chicken cool completely before combining with the dressing to keep the salad fresh and creamy rather than steaming and slippery.
- Prep-Ahead Option: You can mix the dressing up to 2 days ahead and store it in the fridge. Just stir well before using to reincorporate any settled ingredients.
- Avoid This Common Mistake: Don’t chop the apples too far in advance without tossing them in a little lemon juice or water to prevent browning and maintain that crisp, fresh bite.
Serve & Enjoy
Easy Enhancements
Want to add a little extra flair? Fresh herbs like chopped parsley or tarragon can brighten the salad and add a bit of green freshness. A sprinkle of smoked paprika in the dressing introduces a subtle smoky depth. For a creamier twist, swapping mayo for a bit of avocado or adding a dollop of sour cream can also be delicious. And if you like a little zing, a touch of honey in the dressing balances the tartness beautifully.
Tasty Pairings
This Harvest Chicken Salad makes a perfect partner for warm crusty bread or buttery croissants. You might also enjoy it alongside a light soup like butternut squash or tomato bisque for a satisfying fall meal. For drinks, crisp white wines, iced teas with lemon, or sparkling water with fresh mint keep things refreshing without overpowering the salad’s delicate flavors.
Quick Plating Tips
For an easy, pretty presentation, arrange your salad on a bed of mixed greens and garnish with a few whole pecans and a thin apple slice fan on top. A sprinkle of extra dried cranberries adds a pop of color that looks like fall on a plate. Using a shallow bowl or plate gives the salad room so it doesn’t look crowded, inviting you to dig right in.
Store, Freeze & Reheat
Fridge Storage
You can store leftover Harvest Chicken Salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Keep in mind that the apples and celery will soften a bit over time, and the pecans may lose a little crunch. If you want to keep them crisp, store nuts separately and add before serving.
Freezer Friendly?
This salad isn’t the best candidate for freezing because the fresh fruit and creamy dressing can separate and get watery after thawing. To salvage components, you can freeze cooked chicken separately, then toss the salad fresh at serving time for best texture and flavor.
Reheat Like New
If you want to warm the chicken before tossing, gently reheat it in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave just until warm—avoid high heat to keep the chicken tender. Add the dressing and mix while the chicken is slightly warm for a cozy, comforting version. Otherwise, serve cold and fresh for the classic crisp feel.
Harvest Chicken Salad Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut that saves time and adds flavor. Just shred or dice the meat and proceed with the recipe as usual.
Yes, you can swap Greek yogurt for sour cream or even additional mayonnaise if you prefer a richer dressing. Just keep in mind the flavor and creaminess will shift slightly.
Tossing diced apples immediately with a little lemon juice or water helps prevent oxidation. You can also cut apples just before mixing the salad for maximum freshness.
Yes! Keep the dressing separate until ready to eat if you want to maintain a crisp texture. Otherwise, mixed salads can hold well refrigerated for a couple of days but may become softer.
Final Flavor Thoughts
I hope trying this Harvest Chicken Salad Recipe brings you as much joy as it does me, especially on busy days when you crave something easy but special. If you make it, don’t forget to leave a star rating or drop a comment about your favorite tweak—I love hearing what you come up with! Maybe next time, you’ll add fresh herbs or swap pecans for walnuts. Either way, enjoy every crunchy, creamy, cozy bite.
Print📖 Recipe
Harvest Chicken Salad Recipe
A refreshing and nutritious Harvest Chicken Salad featuring tender diced chicken breasts combined with crisp apple, celery, green onions, dried cranberries, and pecans, all tossed in a creamy Greek yogurt and mayo dressing infused with lemon juice and Dijon mustard. Perfect for a light lunch or a healthy snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes (if cooking chicken from raw)
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Chicken Salad
- 2 large chicken breasts, cooked and diced
- 1 diced apple (such as Honeycrisp)
- ½ cup diced celery
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
Dressing
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or whole milk preferred)
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a glass measuring cup or bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well blended. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Mix the salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the diced cooked chicken breasts, diced apple, diced celery, thinly sliced green onions, dried cranberries, and chopped pecans. Pour the prepared dressing over the ingredients.
- Toss and serve: Stir everything together gently but thoroughly until all salad components are evenly coated with the dressing. Taste the salad and adjust seasoning as desired. Serve immediately or chill for later enjoyment.
Notes
- Use cooked chicken breasts from leftover roast or poached chicken for easier preparation.
- Honeycrisp apples provide a nice balance of sweetness and tartness, but any crisp apple variety can be substituted.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute Greek yogurt with a plant-based yogurt and mayonnaise with a vegan alternative.
- Add chopped fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for extra flavor.
- Chill the salad in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors.
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