This SugarBee® Apple Chicken Salad is a perfect combination of sweet, savory, and crunchy, making it a delicious and balanced meal for your weekly meal prep. With tender diced chicken, crisp SugarBee® apples, creamy Greek yogurt, and the crunch of walnuts, this salad is packed with flavor and nutrients.

It’s an easy, convenient recipe you can prepare ahead of time in mason jars for grab-and-go meals throughout the week!

This recipe is sponsored by SugarBee® Apple.

Related: How to Select & Store Apples

We love apple recipes! Apples are always great to add into salads, breads, desserts and so much more. Whether you are looking for a sweet apple recipe like our Cinnamon Apples, Copycat Crumbl Apple Cookie, or Apple Pie Tacos they are simply delicious.

However savory apple recipes are also a fan favorite like our Sweet Onion & Apple Panini, Fennel Apple Salad and Stacked Waldorf Apple Salad we have you covered with our plethora of Apple Recipes!

We love working with SugarBee® apples because they’re crispy, juicy, sweet, and delicious. If you’ve never tried one before, SugarBee® apples are a cross between Honeycrisp apples and a mystery varietal as they were naturally created by bees. The natural notes of honey, caramel, and molasses are the perfect pairing for chicken salad.

Did You Know? SugarBee® owes its unique origin story to a very special honeybee. One sunny spring day, a honeybee collected pollen from an unknown apple blossom and then landed on a Honeycrisp blossom. Mother nature did her part and SugarBee® apple was born!

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Apples

Apple Chicken Salad Variations

There are plenty of ways to get creative with Apple Chicken Salad to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs. Here are some delicious variations you can try:

1. Apple and Pecan Chicken Salad

• Swap walnuts for pecans: Pecans add a sweeter, buttery flavor that pairs beautifully with apples.
• Add feta cheese: A sprinkle of crumbled feta adds a tangy, creamy element to the salad.

2. Apple and Celery Chicken Salad

• Add diced celery: For extra crunch and freshness, toss in some diced celery.
• Use a touch of lemon juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice will brighten up the flavor and add a bit of zest.

3. Apple and Spinach Chicken Salad

• Incorporate fresh spinach: Instead of making it all about the apples, add fresh spinach for more greens.
• Add a vinaigrette dressing: Swap the creamy dressing for a light balsamic vinaigrette or lemon vinaigrette for a lighter option.

4. Apple and Cranberry Chicken Salad

• Swap dried cherries for dried cranberries: Dried cranberries offer a tart, sweet flavor that pairs well with apples and chicken.
• Add orange zest: A little orange zest in the dressing enhances the fruity flavor of the cranberries and apples.

5. Apple and Avocado Chicken Salad

• Add avocado: Sliced avocado adds creaminess and healthy fats, balancing out the sweetness of the apples.
• Use a yogurt-based dressing: Keep the dressing simple with just Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and a bit of olive oil.

6. Apple and Bacon Chicken Salad

• Add crispy bacon bits: For a smoky, salty crunch, toss in some crumbled bacon. It complements the sweetness of the apples beautifully.
• Use a honey mustard dressing: Honey mustard brings both sweetness and tang to pair with the bacon.

7. Apple and Grapes Chicken Salad

• Add red or green grapes: Slice grapes in half and add them to the salad for a burst of juicy sweetness alongside the apples.
• Use a creamy poppy seed dressing: A poppy seed dressing complements the sweetness of the apples and grapes.

8. Apple and Sweet Potato Chicken Salad

• Add roasted sweet potatoes: Roasted cubes of sweet potato add a comforting, savory-sweet flavor.
• Use tahini dressing: A tahini-based dressing with a bit of lemon juice and garlic works wonderfully with the roasted sweet potatoes.

9. Apple and Cheddar Chicken Salad

• Add shredded cheddar cheese: Cheddar’s sharp, tangy flavor pairs beautifully with the sweetness of apples.
• Include mustard greens: Add some mustard greens for a spicy, peppery bite that balances out the cheese and apples.

10. Apple and Quinoa Chicken Salad

• Incorporate cooked quinoa: Quinoa adds a protein-packed, gluten-free base that makes this salad even more filling.
• Add cilantro: Fresh cilantro brightens the salad and gives it a refreshing herbal kick.

11. Apple and Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad

• Add fresh herbs: Try adding fresh dill, parsley, or tarragon to the salad for extra flavor and freshness.
• Use a citrus dressing: Squeeze in some lemon or orange juice to brighten the creamy Greek yogurt dressing.

12. Apple and Orange Chicken Salad

• Add orange segments: Fresh orange slices or segments complement the apples and add a juicy citrus burst.
• Use a citrus vinaigrette: A simple citrus vinaigrette dressing made with orange juice, olive oil, and a bit of honey ties it all together.

Flavorful Dressings to Try:

• Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing: For a tangy, vinegar-based dressing with a fruity kick.
• Honey Mustard Dressing: Adds a sweet, tangy, and creamy element that pairs well with apples and chicken.
• Lemon Tahini Dressing: A creamy and slightly nutty dressing that pairs well with the crunch of apples and greens.
• Balsamic Vinaigrette: A more savory dressing that adds a bit of depth and balances the sweetness of the apples.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Meal Prep Friendly: Everything comes together in mason jars for easy storage and transport. No need to assemble each time!
• Nutrient-Filled and Balanced: Packed with protein, healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants, this salad will keep you full and energized.
• Sweet and Savory Flavor: The crisp SugarBee® apples paired with the creamy dressing, protein-rich chicken, and crunchy walnuts create the perfect flavor balance.

Ingredients Needed For Apple Chicken Salad Recipe:

• 4 SugarBee® apples, diced (for a sweet, crisp crunch)
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (for tanginess)
• 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt (for a creamy base)
• 1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar (to balance the tanginess with sweetness)
• 1/4 cup olive oil (for healthy fats and smooth texture)
• 1 cup diced chicken (cooked and cooled, for protein)
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (for a crunchy texture and healthy fats)
• 1/2 cup dried cherries (adds a sweet, chewy element)
• Salt and pepper, to taste (for seasoning)

How to Make SugarBee® Apple Chicken Salad in a Mason Jar:

Prepare the Dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, Greek yogurt, brown sugar, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. This creamy dressing will bring everything together while keeping the salad light and healthy.

Assemble the Mason Jar Salad:
Layer the ingredients in your mason jars in the following order to keep them fresh:

• Dressing at the bottom of the jar (this prevents the salad from getting soggy).
• Add diced chicken on top of the dressing.
• Layer in the diced SugarBee®apples, followed by chopped walnuts and dried cherries.

Seal and Store:
Once your jars are assembled, seal them tightly with the lid. Store the mason jars in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. The dressing will stay at the bottom, so when you’re ready to eat, simply shake the jar to evenly coat the salad.

Serve:
Pour the contents onto a plate or eat directly from the jar for a quick, healthy meal on the go!

Tips for Success:

• Cook chicken ahead of time: Grill or bake your chicken in advance to save time during meal prep. You can also use rotisserie chicken to make this recipe even simpler.
• Customize the salad: We shared 12 different variations so that you can try them all to find your favorite.
• Make it vegan: To make this a vegan-friendly option, substitute the chicken with chickpeas or tofu, and use a plant-based yogurt.

Make this SugarBee® Apple Chicken Salad for a week’s worth of delicious lunches, and you’ll have a refreshing, satisfying meal ready whenever hunger strikes!

Why We Love SugarBee® Apples

Besides the taste, we love the origin story of the SugarBee®. It is the only apple created by bees with notes of honey, caramel and molasses. They are crisp, juicy and sweet which make them perfect for on-the-go snacking or mouth-watering recipes at home. 

You can spot a SugarBee® apple by its bi-colored red and yellow attributes and the bee seal of approval – a unique honeycomb sticker. 

SugarBee® Recipes

• SugarBee® Apple Babka
• SugarBee® Apple Cinnamon Potpourri