Apple Walnut Chicken Salad

Serves 4 · 20 min prep

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked shredded chicken breast
• 2 medium crisp apples
• 2 celery stalks
• 3/4 cup toasted walnuts
• 1/4 small red onion
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 large butter lettuce leaves

Instructions

1. 1Pat the cooked shredded chicken dry with paper towels so the dressing clings instead of sliding off. Dice the apples into neat half-inch cubes, leaving the skin on for color and crunch; toss them immediately with a splash of the lemon juice to slow browning.
2. 2Thinly slice the celery on a slight bias and mince the red onion until the pieces are fine enough to disappear into each bite. Roughly chop the toasted walnuts so you get both larger pieces and smaller crumbles.
3. 3In a large mixing bowl whisk the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, Dijon, remaining lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper until completely smooth and pale. Taste and adjust salt if needed—the dressing should taste bright and lightly tangy.
4. 4Add the shredded chicken, apple cubes, celery, red onion, and most of the walnuts to the bowl. Fold gently with a spatula until every piece is coated; avoid over-mixing so the apples stay crisp.
5. 5Cover and chill the salad for at least 15 minutes so the flavors marry and the chicken cools fully if it was still warm. This rest also firms the dressing slightly for cleaner scooping.
6. 6Just before serving, fold in the chopped parsley and the remaining walnuts for fresh herb lift and extra crunch on top. Taste once more and add a grind of pepper if the apples taste especially sweet.
7. 7Arrange butter lettuce leaves on plates or pack them separately for meal-prep containers. Spoon a generous cup of salad into each leaf or container.
8. 8Serve immediately as open lettuce cups or close them into light wraps. The salad keeps well refrigerated up to three days; stir before eating because a little juice will release from the apples.