Kitchen notes · a little help before you start
Lighter Apple Pecan Chicken Salad
Apple and pecans give chicken salad plenty of crunch, with little tart-sweet bites of cranberry tucked into the creamy dressing. Dijon adds a savory edge against the fruit. Tuck some into bread with romaine when a sandwich with a little variety in each bite sounds inviting.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Original yield
- Serves 4
- Ingredients
- 15 listed
Make it part of your week
Recipe categories & planning details
- Meal type
- Main course
- Primary protein
- Chicken
- Cuisine
- American
- Preparation & total time
- Prep: 15 minutes or less · Total: 30 minutes or less
- Dish type
- Salads
A few quick notes
1. Season before cooking
Season the chicken with Italian herbs, salt and pepper before cooking it through in the skillet.
2. Chop the cooked chicken
Cut the cooked chicken into small pieces before transferring it to the bowl with the salad ingredients.
3. Combine before filling
Stir the chicken salad thoroughly before distributing it onto the bread with the chopped romaine lettuce.
Get to know the ingredients
Cored apple
Core and chop the apple so the fruit is ready to mix throughout the chicken salad.
Plain Greek yogurt
Plain fat-free Greek yogurt combines with light mayonnaise in the dressing that coats the chicken and fruit.
Pecans
The pecans are mixed into the salad with the apple and celery, adding texture throughout the filling.
Let’s make it
Choose your servings, then check things off as you go.
Original recipe: Serves 4. Original quantities shown.
Check ingredients as you prepare them. These checks stay on this page.
How to make it
0 of 3 steps completeMake room for Lighter Apple Pecan Chicken Salad
Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.
The last little job
Romaine in the sandwiches
Divide the romaine and chicken salad among the bottom bread slices, then add the tops and serve.
A little more help as you go
An alternative to mayo
The ingredient list expressly allows additional Greek yogurt in place of the light mayonnaise in the dressing.
Other ways to serve
You can also serve the salad alone or in a wrap, in addition to the bread sandwiches.
A few questions you might have
Should I chop the chicken before cooking?
The directions cook the seasoned breasts first, then chop them into small pieces for mixing into the salad.
Does the romaine go into the salad bowl?
The romaine is added when assembling the sandwiches, alongside the mixed chicken salad on the bread slices.
What gives the dressing its tang?
The dressing includes Greek yogurt and Dijon mustard, mixed with the mayonnaise and other salad ingredients.
Can I adjust the seasoning after mixing?
Yes, the directions allow adding salt and pepper to taste after stirring the chicken salad ingredients together.
Is bread the only serving option?
No, you can also eat the chicken salad alone or use it as a filling in a wrap.
Any more cooking tips?
Serve alone, on bread as a sandwich, or in a wrap.
Storage & reheating safety
For cooked, perishable leftovers, refrigerate within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), using shallow containers for prompt cooling. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below, use refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days, and reheat hot leftovers to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer. Follow any shorter package limit.
These are general safety limits, not a tested storage or freezing recommendation for this particular dish. USDA leftovers guidance · Safe cooking temperatures
Recipe source: lecremedelacrumb.com. Ingredient names and quantities may be adapted for the pantry.
Preparation notes follow the recipe shown here.
