Sweet, savory, and crunchy, this Apple Salad recipe has is everything you want in a fall salad! Served with warm chicken and a hot honey dressing, it’s light while still being flavor-packed and incredibly easy to make.
Not Your Average Apple Salad
Because I don’t do boring salads around here.
I eat some version of a salad nearly what feels like every other day in the summer, but in the fall, especially early fall, I start craving something a little more cozy. Thankfully, this apple salad recipe has some of those cozy fall flavors while still being light and fresh. It’s one I come back to over and over again for a few different reasons.
- Versatile – think of the ingredient list as more of a suggestion, and mix and match whatever you have on hand to make this recipe your own.
- Flavorful – thanks to the plethora of ingredients, every bite is bursting with sweet, savory, spicy tastes that leave you coming back for more.
- Filling – with veggies, protein, fats, and fiber, this salad is filling without being heavy, which makes it perfect for lunch!
— Ashlea
Everything You’ll Need to Make This Delicious Apple Salad Recipe
- Hot Honey Dressing: my homemade hot honey dressing is what really makes this salad. It mixes a little sweet with a little heat and is so good.
- Veggies: I use mixed greens for the base of this recipe. Then, I include red onion and celery for lots of crunch.
- Apples: you can use any red or green apples you like best, but I prefer Pink Lady or Honey Crisp.
- Goat Cheese: salty and creamy, this adds the perfect touch to the salad.
- Dried Fruit: use dried cranberries or dried tart cherries – whatever you prefer!
- Candied Pecans: these add even more crunch and texture to the salad. If you don’t care for the sweetness of the candied pecans, you can use plain roasted pecans, walnuts, or almonds instead.
- Chicken: I prefer boneless, skinless chicken breast for salads, but you can swap boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you’d like.
Customize Your Apple Salad
- Dressing – swap the dressing with any other homemade or store-bought flavor you like best, such as copycat Chiptole dressing, spicy cashew dressing, or creamy honey mustard dressing.
- Goat Cheese – not a fan of goat cheese? Use feta cheese, mozzarella, or Parmesan instead. Or, omit it completely to keep this recipe dairy-free.
- Apples – add to or replace the apples with strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, or even peaches.
- Chicken – use grilled shrimp, pan seared salmon, or crispy baked tofu instead.
My Favorite Meal Prep Tips
This chicken apple salad recipe is great to prepare for your weekly meal prep! Here are my top tips to keep it fresh:
- Make the dressing: prepare the dressing up to a week in advance, and store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Chop and store your produce: wash and chop all the produce in advance, and store everything in separate airtight containers in the fridge. Then, all you have to do is toss everything together when you’re ready to eat!
- Store the chicken: cook and dice the chicken ahead of time, and store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
Storing Tips
I like to store the components for this apple salad separately and then assemble when I’m ready! If you have leftover salad, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for one day. The salad greens tend to wilt a bit after adding the dressing.
More Apple Recipes You’ll Love
- Apple Cinnamon Waffles
- Sweet and Tangy Apple Slaw
- Apple Coffee Cake
- Apple Pie Overnight Oats
- Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
- Dutch Apple Pie
Looking for more? Get all of my favorite apple recipes, here!
I hope you give this Apple Salad Recipe a try! It’s quick, easy, and so delicious! If you do give this recipe a try, let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @allthehealthythings on INSTAGRAM. Your reviews and ratings help support All the Healthy Things and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you trust and love.
Print
Apple Salad with Hot Honey Vinaigrette
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Sweet, savory, and crunchy, this Apple Salad recipe has is everything you want in a fall salad! Served with warm chicken and a hot honey dressing, it’s light while still being flavor-packed and incredibly easy to make.
Ingredients
Hot Honey Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup whole milk yogurt
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup hot honey
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons whole grain dijon mustard
- 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
- pepper to taste
For the Salad
- 8–10 cups spring mix
- 1 large pink lady or honey crisp apple, cored and thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup diced celery
- 1/3 cup goat cheese
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries or dried tart cherries
- 1/3 cup candied pecans
For the Chicken
- 1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until well combined and creamy.
- Make the Salad: Add the mixed greens to large mixing bowl. Top the salad with all of the veggies and toppings.
- Make the Chicken: Split the chicken breast in half, lengthwise, to make it a bit thinner so it cooks more evenly. Add the chicken breast to a large mixing bowl. Add the salt, pepper, and seasonings. Toss the chicken in the seasoning until evenly coated. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the oil and then add the chicken breast. Cook for 4-6 minutes per side until the chicken is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Let the chicken rest for five minutes before slicing.
- Top the salad with the sliced chicken and serve with dressing.
Recipe by: Ashlea Carver / All the Healthy Things | Photography by: Sasha Hooper
This post was originally published on September 1, 2025 and republished on September 22, 2026.
My husband and I have been enjoying this salad all week! I made the dressing and salad as instructed, it is perfection. Tonight, I made the chicken, I was mistaken- the chicken, salad, and dressing… now that is 👌🏻
This dressing is amazing!!