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Easy Cranberry Chicken Salad on Apple Slices make a sweet, crunchy, protein-packed lunch!
Cranberry Chicken Salad on Apple Slices
If you love my chicken salad you’re going to love this healthy Cranberry Chicken Salad on Apple Slices! It’s a refreshing take on lunch that’s as nutritious as it is delicious. Made with chicken breast from a roasted chicken or rotisserie chicken, craisins, red onion, celery, a little mayo and just enough chicken broth to make it juicy. Its combination of sweet, tart, and crunchy elements makes it a balanced and satisfying option for anyone looking to eat healthier without sacrificing flavor.
Why You’ll Love Cranberry Chicken Salad on Apple Slices
This dish has quickly become my go-to lunch option, offering a perfect blend of sweetness, crunchiness, and high protein content. Here’s why I’ve fallen in love with it and how you can make it too.
- High Protein: Chicken is a great source of lean protein, essential for muscle repair and growth.
- Gluten-free: Apple slices serve as a low-calorie, gluten-free alternative to bread, making it perfect for those looking to cut down on carbs or with gluten sensitivities.
- Great taste and texture! The sweetness of the apples complements the savory chicken salad, while the cranberries add a tartness that elevates the overall flavor profile. The crunch of the apple slices against the creamy chicken salad makes for a satisfying mouthfeel that keeps me coming back for more.
Ingredients
- Cooked Chicken Breast: Lean protein source, shredded or diced. You can use a rotisserie chicken.
- Celery: Adds crisp texture and a subtle flavor.
- Mayonnaise: Creamy binding agent that balances flavors; can substitute with Greek yogurt.
- Chicken Broth: Adds moisture without needed more mayonnaise, keeping it light.
- Dried Cranberries: For tart sweetness and a burst of flavor
- Red Onion: Provides a contrast to the dish’s sweet and savory elements.
- Sweet Red Apples: A sweet crunchy base, complementing the chicken salad’s flavors.
How to Make It
It’s surprisingly easy and can be prepared in advance, making it perfect for busy weekdays.
- Prepare the Chicken Salad: In a medium bowl combine the chicken with celery, mayonnaise, chicken broth, cranberries and red onion, and stir until combined. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Slice the Apples: When ready to eat, slice the apples into 1/4 inch thick slices, then remove the seeds. (I used a piping tip). It’s best to eat right away so they don’t turn brown, but if you are planning to eat later, you can toss the apple slices in a little lemon juice.
- Assemble: Spoon a generous amount of chicken salad onto each apple slice and enjoy!
Variations
One of the great things about this recipe is how versatile it is. You can easily customize it to suit your dietary needs or taste preferences. Here are a few suggestions:
- Swap the Protein: Not a fan of chicken? Try using turkey or tuna.
- Add More Veggies: Boost the nutritional content by adding shredded carrots or chopped broccoli.
- Add Nuts: Pecans or walnuts would be great here.
- Change Up the Fruit: While apples are great, pear slices also work beautifully with this salad.
More Chicken Salad Recipes You’ll Love
- Classic Chicken Salad
- Chicken Salad with Lemon and Dill
- Asian Chopped Chicken Salad
- Buffalo Chicken Salad
- Ranch Chicken Salad
Cranberry Chicken Salad on Apple Slices
Easy Cranberry Chicken Salad on Apple Slices make a sweet, crunchy, protein-packed lunch!
Yield: servings
Serving Size: 1 apple, 1 generous cup salad
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cooked chicken breast, from a rotisserie chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/4 cup celery, sliced
- 3 tablespoons Hellman’s mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon dried cranberries
- 1 tablespoon red onion, chopped
- 2 medium sweet red apples, sliced into rounds, then cored
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Salad: In a medium bowl combine the chicken with celery, mayonnaise, chicken broth, cranberries and red onion, and stir until combined. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Slice the Apples: When ready to eat, slice the apples into 1/4 inch thick slices, then remove the seeds. (I used a piping tip). It’s best to eat right away so they don’t turn brown, but if you are planning to eat later, you can toss the apple slices in a little lemon juice.
- Assemble: Spoon a generous amount of chicken salad onto each apple slice and enjoy!
Last Step:
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Notes
Variations
One of the great things about this recipe is how versatile it is. You can easily customize it to suit your dietary needs or taste preferences. Here are a few suggestions:
One of the great things about this recipe is how versatile it is. You can easily customize it to suit your dietary needs or taste preferences. Here are a few suggestions:
- Swap the Protein: Not a fan of chicken? Try using turkey or tuna.
Add More Veggies: Boost the nutritional content by adding shredded carrots or chopped broccoli. - Add Nuts: Pecans or walnuts would be great here.
- Change Up the Fruit: While apples are great, pear slices also work beautifully with this salad.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 apple, 1 generous cup salad, Calories: 439 kcal, Carbohydrates: 30 g, Protein: 36 g, Fat: 20 g, Saturated Fat: 3.5 g, Cholesterol: 105 mg, Sodium: 245 mg, Fiber: 5 g, Sugar: 22.5 g
Easy, delicious. Will continue making this. I added chopped Brazil nuts.
This was delicious and very filling! I only ate half a cup of salad on an apple and it was plenty for me. I also used 1/8th cup of broth instead of 1/4 and it was perfect. Thank you!
I added 3 shakes of celery seed (1/2 tsp), used about 1/8 c. broth, and plain Greek yogurt + light mayo (3Tbsp total). So yummy! Loved it on the apple slices.
Amazing! I did omit the broth and it was still great! Never thought to use apple slices before but I really loved it. Wedges also work great. Next I’m gonna try cutting up the apples and putting it right in it 🙂
PS I did add just a bit more cranberries too!
Delicious on the apple but a little messy since it was a tad watery. No problem, I will just adjust next time!
What would the macros be without the apple? I’m allergic so had to use something else
This was just delicious! I made it exactly as the recipe stated, and I did not find it watery as some did. Next time I make this -which will be soon!- I’m going to add some chopped pecans. Yum!
Exactly what we needed. Thank you so much.
This is a classic. So adaptable to different people. I make it often and sometimes use canned chicken from Costco when I don’t have any rotisserie chicken on hand
Delicious
I made it the first time with the shredded chicken but today I was wanting to use up a bit of leftover rotisserie chicken I had!
I cut the rotisserie chicken up very small !
Delicious on apples!
Great idea !!
I’m trying to avoid bread in my diet so this was great !!
Plus I’m a WW member!
Thank you Gina 💕
Glad you enjoyed it!
Very simple and tasty! I might add more cranberries and celery next time.
Awesome
This chicken salad was great! (Especially the second day!) It will become part of the regular rotation!
I have not tried it but will sounds good
I’ve made this recipe twice now, delicious both times. Second time I used a little less chicken broth so less watery. Will definitely make it again!
Super easy and a great way to enjoy chicken salad without bread!
Two words- celery salt 🤤
I am a carb queen and need some whole grains to feel full. So I had this on yummy bread (Wegman’s Marathon Bread for the initiated) with celery salt and it was fricken delicious. Like other reviews stated, it’s a bit liquidy, even when you are prepping it for the week. So I will cut the stock in half next time I make it.
Easy and delicious
Wow. Delicious and super simple to whip up. My new go to lunch for sure.
Nutritious and delicious!
Super easy and delicious! So glad I found your site, Gina!
excellent! easy to make. i did just add 1/2 chopped apple to the recipe.
I put this on bread with apple slices on the side for my family and ate mine as is with fresh spinach and walnuts. Great lunch idea!
One of my best “tote” lunches for work. I used tuna, light mayo and skipped chicken broth as tuna is packed in water. Squeezed lime juice over apple slices to keep fresh.
This chicken salad is fantastic! Perfect lunch. Easy to make and delicious. I liked eating it on apple slices. It would be great on a bed of lettuce or bread as a classic sandwich too.
Thanks Lisa!
I made this for lunch today and it was delicious! I used rotisserie chicken and added the chicken broth first to moisten the chicken before adding everything else. I used light mayo and added a little extra celery and red onion too. Thanks for another winner!
Planning on making this tonight…starting with a soup entrée…nearly everything ‘on hand’ in the pantry…but…no dried cranberries! Could I substitute pomegranate arils? Love these ‘quick-yet-delicious/nutritious’ dinner ideas that you miraculously come up with…and generously offer…Life-savers! Thanks for reducing the stress around ‘what’s for dinner’ questioning…Top!
Sure or leave it out
This was delicious. I used light mayo and 50% less sugar cranberries so (if you’re watching WW points), it was 4 points instead of 6. Next time, I will use only a couple of tablespoons of chicken broth. I found it was runny with 1/4 cup – but still so delicious. With that said, I will definitely be making it again!!!!
Had this for lunch today (with Greek yogurt instead of mayo). Delish!
Looks and sounds so delicious! How long can this keep in the fridge?
This was quite nice and very presentable. However? I found it a little bland, other than the apples and cranberries there wasn’t a lot of flavor. I will try it again using tuna, more cranberries and onions. I will re-write at that time. Thank you so much for this lovely idea.
I added black pepper and sea salt. if the chicken stock is high in salt or flavor, it can change the taste too.
Looks simply delicious!
I’m going to serve this dish at Mother -daughter lunch.
Great!!
This cranberry chicken salad on apple slices is a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors that’s perfect for a refreshing and healthy meal option!
Hi Gina,
Can yogurt be substituted for the mayonnaise? My daughter in law can’t have mayonnaise. I plan on making this wonderful recipe tomorrow!