This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This Apple Dill Chicken Salad is your new fall lunch MVP. This recipe is sweet, savory, and seriously satisfying. It’s genuinely a restaurant-worthy, family-friendly recipe, and comes together in just 10 minutes (plus a little chill time if you want to deepen the flavor). Gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, paleo, and Whole30 approved!
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Salad with Apple & Dill
I love a good old-fashioned chicken salad recipe, especially when I’m looking for a quick and simple recipe for a meal prep option. However, when the weather starts to get a little cooler, the leaves begin to change, and fall becomes more present, this dill chicken salad recipe becomes my absolute go-to!
Made with fresh apples, dried dill, and red onions, it’s bursting with flavor and texture and is completely irresistible. Even better, all the ingredients combine in a single large mixing bowl, making the recipe ready in ten minutes or less. That means prep time is minimal and cleanup is a breeze!
I love to meal-prep this recipe and keep a bowl on hand for quick, high-protein meals throughout the week. It also makes for easy lunches for both the office and school. Yes, my kids do love it and will devour it for a lunchbox lunch! Honestly, though, do meal prep options get any better than that?
Ingredients Needed and Substitutions
*Scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe and ingredient list!
- Cooked Chicken: I typically use leftover shredded chicken, but rotisserie chicken works well, too!
- Organic Mayonnaise: This forms the base of the dressing. I like avocado oil mayo, but any will work.
- Organic Apples: I prefer to use red, sweet apples like Gala or Fuji, but any brand you like best will work. Or, if you prefer a tart flavor, try using green, Granny Smith apples instead.
- Dried Dill: This adds a herby, fresh flavor boost to the chicken salad. If preferred, fresh dill will also work.
- Red Onion: Finely diced, this adds a nice crunch and a subtle tang.
- Coconut Sugar: Mixed with the mayonnaise, this offsets some of the tangy flavor for a sweet, well-rounded taste. If preferred, you can use honey instead, or omit it altogether if you prefer a less sweet option.
Where I Buy My Chicken
- 100% Grass-Fed, Grass-Finished Beef
- Free-Range Organic Chicken
- Humanely Raised Pork
- Wild-Caught Seafood
Delivered to your door! The latest ButcherBox deal can be found right here!
How to Make Apple Dill Chicken Salad
- Prepare or cook the chicken: If you don’t have cooked chicken, roast or poach the breast until the internal temp is 165°F, then let the chicken cool, and then shred or chop.
- Mix dressing & build salad. In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, mayo, finely diced apples, dill, red onion, and coconut sugar. Stir gently until well mixed and all pieces are coated.
- Taste & adjust. Add more mayo for a creamier texture, more dill for a herby kick, or an extra apple for added crunch.
- Chill or serve immediately. Salad benefits from resting for 30 minutes in the fridge, so flavors come together, but it’s great right away, too.
How To Cook Chicken
If you don’t have cooked chicken ready to use, you can quickly make shredded chicken in an Instant Pot, slow cooker, or on the stovetop. Season the chicken minimally using just salt and pepper.
When cooking, make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165° F. Then, set it aside to cool, and shred the cooked chicken breasts with two forks.
Or, to keep things super simple, you can shred a store-bought rotisserie chicken instead!
Possible Flavor Variations
- Use another meat. You can swap the chicken out for tuna or shredded turkey if you wish.
- Add extra crunchy mix-ins. Bulk up your apple dill chicken salad with mix-ins like chopped almonds, walnuts, pecans, dried raisins, cranberries, or celery.
- Use Plain Greek yogurt. If preferred, you can use plain Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lightened-up, higher-protein dressing option. You cannot go wrong with some extra protein.
Storage, Serving & FAQ’s
Serve this healthy chicken salad recipe over greens as a salad or in lettuce cups or wraps, tortillas, or on toast as an open-faced sandwich or regular sandwich. Don’t forget to add a dill pickle on the side for a classic diner feel! Or, use it as a dip with crackers, tortilla chips, potato chips, pita bread, or veggies. No matter what, you can’t go wrong!
Stored in an airtight container, leftovers will stay fresh in the fridge for 3-5 days. If possible, I recommend making this chicken salad with dill a day or so in advance to really allow the flavors to soak in!
I don’t recommend it! The mayonnaise does not tend to thaw well, separating and altering the flavor of the chicken salad.
Yes! The flavors get even better after a few hours in the fridge—ideal for meal prep or weekend snack prep.
More Chicken Salad Recipes To Try
- Taco Chicken Salad
- Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Salad
- Smoky Chicken Salad Lettuce Boats
- Honey Mustard Chicken Salad
- Loaded Chicken Salad: Four Ways
- Pesto Chicken Salad
Watch The Video:
Apple Dill Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded
- 1/3 cup organic mayonnaise homemade or store-bought, add more as needed
- 2 organic apples finely diced
- 1 1/2 teaspoon dried dill more to taste
- 1/2 red onion finely diced
- 2 teaspoon coconut sugar
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: How To: All-Purpose Shredded Crock Pot Chicken2 cups cooked chicken
- Allow chicken to cool and transfer 2 cups to a large mixing bowl.
- Add mayonnaise, apples, dill, red onion, and coconut sugar to the large mixing bowl.1/3 cup organic mayonnaise, 2 organic apples, 1 1/2 teaspoon dried dill, 1/2 red onion, 2 teaspoon coconut sugar
- Mix well to combine. Taste and adjust ingredients as needed.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
Made this with store bought shredded chicken for a workday lunch! Super quick and easy and delish! Will definitely be keeping this in my rotation!
This chicken salad is absolutely delicious! I’ve made it several times, it’s become my new favorite meal prep for lunch!
Is it necessary to add the coconut sugar and what can be subsituated in its place?
I think it balances out the taste, but you can try without.
Do you think honey would work in place of the coconut sugar?
Probably!
Hi there! This looks really yummy!
Do you think Greek yogurt would work here? I’m following a plan that keeps fats low when eating healthy carbs like fruit and grains.
Yes it will!
So amazing to meet you! It’s crazy that it was our first time meeting, I feel like I’ve known you for years! Consider yourself warned that I’ll be commenting on all future posts…get ready 😉
Mmmmmm. This looks yummy! I’ll have to whip it up for lunch one day soon!
Love Davida! What a small world! This apple salad is so pretty and I love the simplicity. Can’t wait to give it a try!