This Fall Harvest Chicken Salad recipe is an easy and delicious meal filled with lots of Fall flavors! Bursting with lean protein, sweet dried cranberries, crisp apples and crunchy celery, then mixed in a creamy and tangy homemade dairy free dressing. This is the kind of recipe that works for everything- quick lunches, easy meal prep, light dinners, or even tucked into lettuce wraps for a low-carb option. It's simple, nourishing, and seriously delicious!
Simple and Delicious Chicken Salad Recipe
If you've been searching for a healthy chicken salad recipe with apples and cranberries, this one checks all the boxes.
This chicken salad is perfect to have on hand for a healthy and hearty lunch. It's easy to prep ahead on the weekend, then keep in the fridge for quick lunches during the week. It's simple enough for an everyday lunch, but fancy enough to serve to guests. Filled with lots of Fall flavors, but I know you will love it enough to eat it year round!
Why You'll Love This Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe
- High protein and satisfying
- Made with simple, real-food ingredients
- Naturally gluten-free
- Perfect for meal prep lunches
- Ready in under 20 minutes
What You Need to Make this Homemade Chicken Salad
This recipe is free of gluten, dairy and grains. Here's what you'll need:
- Cooked & Shredded Chicken. You can either boil 2 chicken breasts, or keep it super easy using leftovers or an already cooked rotisserie chicken. You can also use leftover turkey!
- Mayo and Greek Yogurt. These ingredients make the base for the dressing. To keep this recipe dairy free, I love using Kite Hill Plain Unsweetened Greek Style Yogurt.
- Apple Cider Vinegar. Gives the dressing the perfect tangy flavor.
- Celery. Adds the perfect crunch!
- Apples. Gala or Fuji apples are my favorite in this salad, but any kind you have on hand works!
- Dried Cranberries. I always use Ocean Spray Craisins.
- Seasonings. Salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika.
- Optional. Throw in some chopped nuts, for extra nutrients and flavor, or add a pinch of ground cayenne pepper for a little spice.
Looking for other gluten free recipes you can meal prep for the week? Check out these recipes!
- Easy Make Ahead Egg Muffins
- Sweet Potato Hash With Peppers & Onions
- Easy Honey Mustard Sheet Pan Dinner
Step by Step Instructions on How to Make this Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
1. Prepare the Dressing
In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, yogurt, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.
2. Mix the Salad
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken, apple, celery and cranberries. Pour the dressing over the top and toss until everything is evenly coated.
3. Chill and Serve
For the best flavor, cover the bowl and let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley before enjoying.
Make It Ahead for Busy Weeks
This is one of those healthy lunch recipes that actually tastes better after it sits for a few hours. The flavors meld together beautifully, making it ideal for:
- Back-to-school lunches
- Work meal prep
- Easy summer dinners
- Post-workout meals
If you're looking for a low carb chicken salad recipe, this is a great option when paired with greens or lettuce wraps instead of bread.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
It's completely up to you how you want to serve the chicken salad! Whether you prep it for a week of lunches, serve it at a Fall gathering, or enjoy it as a quick dinner, this chicken salad is guaranteed to be a healthy harvest favorite!
- On a bed of greens: Keep it light and low-carb by serving over a crisp salad mix.
- In lettuce wraps: A gluten-free option that's fresh and handheld.
- With gluten-free bread or crackers: Perfect for a hearty sandwich or snack.
- Meal-prep bowls: Pair with quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, or rice for a filling meal.
Tips & Variations
- Make it dairy-free: Use a dairy-free yogurt alternative instead of Greek yogurt.
- Switch up the fruit: Try chopped pears or halved grapes instead of apples, or add pomegranate seeds for extra crunch.
- Boost the protein: Add chickpeas or hard-boiled eggs.
- Lighten it further: Use all Greek yogurt in place of mayo.
If you're loving these cozy fall flavors, be sure to check out some of my other fall-inspired recipes that are perfect for cooler weather and easy weeknight dinners. I think you'll love this Fall Power Bowl With Quinoa & Delicata Squash and this Fall Harvest Sheet Pan Dinner (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Paleo)
If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment below and tag me on instagram @thrivingglutenfree so I can see how it turned out!
Let's eat!
Healthy Harvest Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Method
- In a medium size bowl, add the shredded chicken, apples, celery, cranberries, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Toss to combine.
- In a small bowl, add the mayo, yogurt, vinegar, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Stir to combine and add to the chicken. Toss everything together until mixed well.
- Refrigerate until ready to eat or can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. Serve over lettuce, a gluten-free tortilla wrap, bread, or crackers.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Amanda Howard says
How many servings does this make?