Fall-Inspired Diced Chicken Salad

This vibrant and tasty Harvest Chopped Chicken Salad features fresh kale, tender chicken, diced apples, and crunchy pecans, all mixed together with a maple dijon dressing! It’s hearty enough for dinner yet light enough for lunch!

I truly enjoy this season, and there’s nothing quite like a delightful fall salad. This Harvest Chopped Chicken Salad is filled with leafy kale, delicious seasoned chicken, sweet apples, fresh vegetables, crunchy pecans, and crumbled feta cheese tossed in a rich dressing. This harvest salad provides a great healthy lunch and makes for a satisfying dinner that is simple to prepare any day of the week. Every bite is packed with flavor!

Why You’ll Adore This

• Substantial meal salad – unlike some salads that leave you wanting more shortly after, this one is loaded with protein, fiber, and healthy fats to keep you feeling full and satisfied!
• Delicious – the seasoning on the chicken is wonderfully appetizing, the apples and dried cranberries provide bursts of sweetness, while the maple dijon dressing unites all of these flavors!
• Adaptable – easily customize this salad by exchanging veggies, adding sweet potatoes or butternut squash, varying your protein choice, and selecting your favorite mix-ins.
• Ideal for meal preparation – prepare the salad components in advance so you can enjoy them throughout the week. Kale stands up well to dressings, making this salad perfect for meal prep, and the leftovers taste even better the next day!

Ingredients Required

• chicken – use 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, or opt for boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken tenderloins.
• kale – provides structure and crunch while contributing an earthy, nutrient-rich base. Just be sure to remove the tough stems beforehand. Spinach, arugula, or other fresh leafy greens are also good alternatives.
• apples – you’ll need 2 crunchy apples finely chopped. I chose Honeycrisp apples for their sweet and tangy flavor, but feel free to use Fuji, Granny Smith, or any apples you prefer.
• celery + red onion – these add a crunchy texture and extra flavor! Green onions or white onions can also be substituted.
• pecans – these provide a delightful crunch to the salad, and you could also use chopped walnuts, almonds, or cashews. Candied maple walnuts would complement this salad nicely!
• seasonings – a mixture of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper.
• dried cranberries – lend a hint of sweetness and chewiness that balances out the salad’s savory elements. Dried cherries, golden raisins, or chopped dates would also work well.
• crumbled cheese – I opted for crumbled feta cheese, but goat cheese, gorgonzola, or even blue cheese would add great flavor to this salad.
• maple vinaigrette – a few tablespoons of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup (or honey) for natural sweetness, Dijon mustard, fresh garlic, salt, and pepper. You could also include a splash of lemon juice or a bit of lemon zest for extra brightness.

Steps to Prepare Harvest Chicken Salad

1. Cook the chicken. Season the chicken on both sides with onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat a grill pan or large skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for about 4-6 minutes on each side. The internal temperature should reach 165°F with a digital thermometer, and the juices should run clear. Move the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
2. Prepare the dressing. In a small bowl or mason jar with a tight lid, mix olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Shake vigorously or whisk until emulsified. Taste and adjust the seasonings as necessary.
3. Combine the salad. In a large bowl, mix all the salad ingredients including the cooked chicken and toss to combine. Drizzle with dressing and stir until thoroughly coated. Serve and enjoy!

Variations and Alternatives

• Additional veggies – While this salad includes celery and red onion, feel free to add more vegetables like shredded Brussels sprouts, red bell pepper strips, green pepper, or carrots.
• Add some crunch – this salad is already full of texture and fall flavors, but consider adding various nuts, such as these candied maple walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or even crispy bacon.
• Fresh fruit – I included crisp sweet apples in this fall harvest salad for added sweetness. You could also use chopped pears, fresh berries, sliced grapes, or pomegranate arils.
• Change the cheese – you can swap crumbled feta cheese for crumbled goat cheese, grated parmesan, or blue cheese crumbles.
• Wrap it up – place this salad in a large tortilla for a robust chicken wrap or sandwich.
• Utilize the dressing on other salads, as a veggie dip, tossed in pasta salads, or even as a spread for sandwiches and wraps.

Preparing This Salad in Advance

The beauty of this salad is that all components can be efficiently prepared ahead of time at the week’s start and stored separately until it’s time to assemble.

• The chicken can be cooked 3 or 4 days prior and tastes fantastic warm or cold on the salad. Leftover chicken (or turkey), slow-cooked shredded chicken, or shredded rotisserie chicken can also be used.
• The maple dijon dressing can be refrigerated for up to 4-5 days in a sealed mason jar or airtight container. When ready to use, give it a good shake to mix.
• The washed kale can be stored in a container in the fridge until you’re ready to prepare the salad.
• The celery and red onion can be chopped and stored in separate containers until it’s time to finish the salad.

Additional Chicken Salad Recipes

I hope you all enjoy this simple Harvest Chicken Salad recipe. If you appreciate it as much as we do, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating below. Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram with the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny!