Fall-Inspired Diced Chicken Salad

This vibrant and tasty Harvest Chopped Chicken Salad is created with leafy kale, succulent chicken, diced apples, and crunchy pecans, all drizzled with a maple dijon dressing! This salad is robust enough for dinner yet light enough for lunch!

I cherish this season, and nothing surpasses a scrumptious autumn salad. This Harvest Chopped Chicken Salad is packed with leafy kale, tender seasoned chicken, sweet apples, fresh veggies, crunchy pecans, and crumbled feta cheese, all mixed with a delicious dressing. This harvest salad is not just the ideal healthy lunch; it also makes for a satisfying, filling dinner that you can whip up any day of the week. Each bite is bursting with flavor!

Reasons to Love This

• Substantial salad – unlike many salads that leave you wanting more, this one is loaded with protein, fiber, and healthy fats to keep you satiated!
• Delicious – the spices on this chicken are delightful; the apples and dried cranberries offer bursts of sweetness, while the maple dijon vinaigrette beautifully harmonizes all these flavors!
• Adaptable – you can easily customize this salad by swapping out veggies, incorporating sweet potatoes or butternut squash, changing your protein option, and selecting your own mix-ins.
• Ideal for meal prep – prepare the salad ingredients in advance and enjoy throughout the week. Kale resists wilting from dressings, making this salad excellent for meal prep, and leftovers become even tastier the next day!

Essential Ingredients

• chicken – you’ll need 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, or you can opt for boneless skinless chicken thighs or tenderloins.
• kale – it provides structure and crunch while delivering an earthy, nutrient-rich base. Just ensure to remove the tough stems first. Spinach, arugula, or other leafy greens can also be utilized.
• apples – you’ll need 2 crisp apples, finely chopped. Honeycrisp apples offer a delightful sweet and tart flavor, but you may use Fuji, Granny Smith, or any apples of your preference.
• celery + red onion – they add a refreshing crunch and extra flavor! Green onion or white onion are suitable substitutes.
• pecans – these provide a satisfying crunch, but you could also use chopped walnuts, almonds, or cashews. Candied maple walnuts would enhance the taste as well!
• seasonings – a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper.
• dried cranberries – they contribute a hint of sweetness and chewiness that counterbalances the savory notes of the salad. Dried cherries, golden raisins, or chopped dates can also work.
• crumbled cheese – I utilized crumbled feta cheese, but options like goat cheese, gorgonzola, or blue cheese would also be excellent choices for this salad.
• maple vinaigrette – combine a few tablespoons of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup (or honey) for natural sweetness, Dijon mustard, fresh garlic, salt, and pepper. A splash of lemon juice or zest could brighten up the entire salad.

Steps to Prepare Harvest Chicken Salad

1. Cook the chicken. Season both sides of the chicken 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 per side. Use a digital thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the juices run clear. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes. Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
2. Prepare the dressing. In a small bowl or mason jar with a tight lid, combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Shake well or whisk until emulsified. Adjust the seasonings to taste.
3. Combine salad ingredients. In a large bowl, mix all the salad components, including the cooked chicken. Drizzle with the dressing and toss until evenly coated. Serve and enjoy!

Variations and Alternatives

• Extra veggies – while this salad contains celery and red onion, feel free to add an assortment of veggies like shredded Brussels sprouts, strips of red bell pepper, green pepper, carrots, and more.
• Add some crunch – this salad has a wealth of texture and autumn flavors, but consider including a variety of nuts like candied maple walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or crispy bacon for added crunch.
• Fresh fruit – I added crisp, sweet apples to this fall harvest salad to bring sweetness. You could also include diced pears, fresh berries, sliced grapes, or pomegranate arils.
• Change the cheese – if crumbled feta cheese isn’t your preference, feel free to use crumbled goat cheese, grated parmesan, or blue cheese crumbles.
• Wrap it up – place this salad inside a large tortilla to create a plentiful chicken wrap or sandwich.
• Utilize the dressing on other salads, as a veggie dip, tossed with pasta salads, or as a spread for sandwiches and wraps.

Preparing this Salad Ahead of Time

The fantastic aspect of this salad is that all its components can be easily prepped in advance at the week’s start and stored separately in containers until ready to assemble.

• The chicken can be cooked up to 3 or 4 days prior and is delicious served warm or cold on the salad. Leftover chicken (or turkey), crockpot shredded chicken, or pre-cooked rotisserie chicken work well too.
• The maple dijon dressing can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days in a sealed mason jar or airtight container. Shake it up before using.
• The chopped kale can be washed and stored in a container in the fridge until you’re ready to prepare the salad.
• The celery and red onion can be prepped ahead by chopping and slicing. Store in separate containers until it’s time to assemble the salad.

Additional Chicken Salad Recipes

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