When friends come to visit us, I rarely make big, complicated dishes. Especially now, when all my time is occupied by my baby boy. That’s when appetizers come in handy. I usually put 2 or 3 different one bite snacks on a table and everyone is happy! The table looks good + they are comfortable to eat with a cup of tea, coffee or a glass of wine. A win win situation!
But there is one drawback. Well, the thing is, I don’t like repeating my appetizers too often. Yes, that’s me. I am an idealist and I always want to make the best of every situation. I really hate this quality of mine sometimes, but I can’t do anything with myself! That’s why I am always looking for new snack ideas to surprise my guests with. This time I’ve thought of a genius idea (ok ok, I saw it on Pinterest actually) – why not to put cranberry chicken salad on apple slices? So simple and looking so nice!
I made these cute apple slices yesterday when my sister was visiting us and they were a clear favorite at the table! Everyone loved them. The refreshing taste of crunchy, juicy apples pairs really well with the filling cranberry chicken salad, I’m telling you! My collection of appetizers that I plan to make more than once just got a new member. Undoubtedly.
If you want to make the salad even more healthy, just substitute mayo with greek yogurt. It is tastier with mayo though! Why do not-so-healthy things have to be so palatable, agrr! You can also have this as a standalone salad, not an appetizer (obviously!). It works both ways. Enjoy!
If you are looking for more chicken appetizer ideas, try these Chicken Nuggets with Mozzarella (which were a huge hit) or Chicken Quesadillas! Or browse through our selection of chicken tenderloin recipes for perfect game night snacks.
Recipe Video
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Ingredients
- 2 cooked chicken breast halves , chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup chopped roasted pecans
- 1/3 cup celery , sliced thin
- 1/3 cup light mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
- salt and pepper , to taste
- 2-3 medium apples , sliced into thin rounds
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken, dried cranberries, pecans and celery. In another small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice and curry powder. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour over the chicken mixture and stir to combine.
- Serve the chicken salad on apple slices.
60 Comments
Crista
July 24, 2016 at 11:26 pmAny chance you have the nutrition info on this recipe ? I am a newbie at the Keto plan so that would be so helpful.
Thanks. crista
Jovita
August 7, 2016 at 7:31 amCrista, sorry, I don’t have it. However, there are many websites where you can add the ingredients and they tell you the nutrition info 🙂
Laura
July 27, 2016 at 10:17 pmDo you think it would taste alright with plain greek yogurt instead of the mayo and sour cream?
Jovita
July 28, 2016 at 8:15 amHi Laura, I haven’t tried it myself, but I don’t see why not! 😉
Mar bhat
December 20, 2021 at 9:04 pmThat’s what I use for myself. I was taking it elsewhere so I used mayo and sour cream as directed, taste was so much better. Lol! Maybe try 1/2??♀️
S
September 2, 2016 at 9:24 pmHow did you slice the apples so thin and what did you do about the core?
Jovita
November 26, 2016 at 11:39 amI showed how I do that later in the comment section 🙂
Platter Talk
October 13, 2016 at 7:30 pmI really find this recipe to be exactly perfect for a lunch. Love the flavors and textures!
Jovita
November 26, 2016 at 11:38 amThanks so much!
BK
October 13, 2016 at 10:15 pmDo you core the apples first? How did you cut them so thin, they look perfect!!
Jovita
October 16, 2016 at 10:32 amHi, don’t core the apple, just slice into “circles” around the apple core. Here is pic how I did it 😉
Linda
April 28, 2022 at 10:30 pmHow do you stop apples from turning brown
Jovita
May 3, 2022 at 8:00 pmRub them with a little lemon juice 🙂
Barbra
October 16, 2016 at 4:13 amHow do you keep the Apple slices from turning brown
Jovita
October 16, 2016 at 9:02 amHi Barbra! To keep from turning brown just swipe both sides of apple slices with half a lemon.
Rae
April 27, 2022 at 4:20 pmI keep a little spray bottle of lime/water (1/2) in fridge to spritz on apples, avocados, etc. It cheers up the flavor and keeps them from browning!
Anna McAndrew
November 3, 2016 at 1:32 amRub them with a little lemon juice
Angie
December 11, 2023 at 6:04 pmThis is an absolute favorite at our house! I use Hellman’s Vegan Mayo and skip the sour cream and lemon juice. I usually add the apples into the chicken mix. We also like to thinly slice an apple, put the apple on a croissant, then top with the chicken salad. So delicious! Thank you for sharing this great recipe!!
Tooa
October 26, 2016 at 11:17 pmLove your recipe on this one but can I use this on my flour tortilla as a sandwich ?
Jovita
November 26, 2016 at 11:38 amYou can use it any way you like and it will still be great 😉
Kathleen
December 19, 2016 at 7:39 amJovita! What a lovely idea … and so simple! Since I often look for a way to cut back on bread (though I sometimes prefer bread over cake), the apple slices are perfect. I like to put diced apple in my chicken salad, so this just changes its “shape.”
I plan to take these to a weekly group meeting where we are asked to take turns bringing refreshments. (I hope the lemon juice will keep the apples fresh and pretty for a little while during transport and serving!)
Thanks for sharing … it sounds like a five-star recipe!
Jovita
December 19, 2016 at 2:49 pmThanks for the kind words, Kathleen! I am so happy you liked the idea 🙂 Lemon juice should do the job, or you can simply slice the apples on spot preparing the filling in advance 🙂
Faith Boyce
December 29, 2016 at 7:33 pmI like to serve fresh apples and pears with a fruit tray at parties. To keep the fruit from browning AND to prep it in advance, place the fruit pieces in a pitcher filled with a lemon based soda drink. You can do this an hour or so before the party. You’ll be surprised when you remove the fruit, how long it stays fresh appearing without an overwhelming lemon flavor.
Jovita
December 30, 2016 at 9:43 amThanks for the useful advice!
Kimberly A Browning
January 24, 2017 at 3:38 amThank you for the recipe, going to try it this week. Thank you also for allowing us to print it without having to download with apps that we don’t need on our computers.
Jovita
February 3, 2017 at 5:15 pmYou are welcome, Kimberly 😉
Liz
March 12, 2017 at 9:21 pmI just whipped up a batch and added sliced grapes to the mix. I put the sliced apples on top of baby spinach to get some greens in as well. It came out amazing. Thanks for the inspiration.
Jovita
March 26, 2017 at 12:59 pmGrapes is a great addition! The idea with spinach is awesome too 😉
Ally
March 16, 2017 at 2:09 amI just made this for lunch over the next few days. The taste test was so yummy!! I didn’t have any pecans so I threw in walnuts and sliced almonds. I have multi grain crackers to put this on,which I’m looking forward to. I added a dash of celery salt. I’m sure it will be even better tomorrow after it has chilled over night. Thank you!
Jovita
March 26, 2017 at 12:54 pmYou are welcome, Ally! Yes, you can substitute pecans with any other nuts and this salad will still be awesome 😉
Elisa
June 8, 2017 at 1:11 pmDo you have any suggestions for a chicken substitute? I want to make this vegetarian
Jovita
June 18, 2017 at 7:22 pmYou can go with tofu, mushrooms, any cheese, I guess. Most common vegetarian meat substitutes 🙂
Aga
July 21, 2017 at 3:13 amDid you season chicken before cooking???
Jovita
July 21, 2017 at 11:48 amI always do 🙂 Salt and pepper at least 😉
Shannon
November 14, 2017 at 4:34 pmThese are perfect! exactly what I need for my party. Bonus is they look so festive too! Thank you for sharing.
Jovita
November 15, 2017 at 1:33 pmYou are welcome, Shannon! 🙂
Renee Coursey
December 27, 2017 at 5:28 pmHaving a tea party for 12 ladies on Saturday and will be making this for sure with the addition of the grapes. It should
be delicious. Thanks so much!
Jovita
December 27, 2017 at 8:09 pmI am sure your ladies will love these apple slices, Renee! 🙂
Heidi
January 22, 2018 at 2:29 pmI am going to try slicing the apples and placing then in ice water and lemon juice so that I can transport or just make ahead. Perhaps a bowl for home prep or zip top bag for transporting.
Jovita
February 1, 2018 at 7:59 pmGreat idea, Heidi!
Carmen
February 20, 2018 at 5:21 amWbat kind of apples did you use? There are so many kinds and dicferent textires and flavors so appreciate the info.
Jovita
February 21, 2018 at 7:40 amSorry I don’t even remember what kind I used in the original recipe. I tried these slices with many different apples though and every single time they turned out amazing 🙂
Janie
March 7, 2018 at 2:57 pmThis is absolutely the best chicken salad I’ve ever eaten and putting it on apple slices is like frosting on a cake! So refreshing! Thank you ?
Cheryl Salisbury
November 3, 2019 at 3:31 amI have made this several times, last time for daughter’s bridal shower which was a tea party theme, and tonight for my daughter’s baby shower. I just research some of the current apples at store for the season and see which one doesnt brown easily. Fall is honey crisp apple, and I slice and plate then shortly before party starts. They are fantastic and always a hit.
Jovita
January 13, 2020 at 8:48 pmThank you for getting back to comment, Cheryl! I am happy they were a success 🙂
Cheryl Salisbury
November 3, 2019 at 3:40 amAlso, I have used chunk chicken breast in large cans, drained well of water, to cut prep time. It was still very good, 2 lg cans to equal 2 breasts.
Jovita
January 13, 2020 at 8:30 pmGreat idea if short on time 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Kelsey
December 3, 2019 at 1:32 pmThank you for this recipe. I made this for a work function and everyone loved it. They are asking me to make it again about a year later. I may try it with plain greek yogurt this time. For other viewers, I used a mandolin slicer to cut my apples thin and even and squeezed lemon juice on the apples. I waited to prepare them until ready to serve. I am also considering just cutting up apple slices and using it more like a dip.
Jovita
January 13, 2020 at 8:46 pmThank you for the comment, Kelsey! A lot of good advice here 🙂
Angela
March 16, 2022 at 4:06 amI made this tonight and wow it was incredible! I will definitely make again. Maybe on apples maybe in wraps or sandwiches it’s the perfect chicken salad! Reminds me a Waldorf salad. The only change that I made was to exclude the celery.
Sabrina
April 1, 2022 at 5:45 pmMy family loves all types of salads so I’m always looking for new delicious recipes and this one did not disappoint! It was so easy to make and packed with so many fresh flavors. Thanks for this, it’s a keeper!
Jovita
April 4, 2022 at 6:58 pmI am glad you liked it, Sabrina! 🙂
Rae
April 27, 2022 at 4:25 pmHow many slices do you consider a serving?
Jovita
May 3, 2022 at 8:03 pmAh, a difficult question. It depends on the thickness of your slices. I would say 5-6 🙂
Kelly
February 27, 2023 at 4:22 amI can’t wait to try this recipe. It sounds delish. One little trick that I do with my chicken is toss it in my blender/food processor for a few seconds. It shreds it nicely so that all of the other ingredients meld with it and I feel it has a moister texture. But I’m sure others prefer the larger chunks of chicken. It’s just a personal preference of mine. The apple slices are perfect!
Brenda
March 22, 2023 at 1:49 pmMade this with the grandkids for a tea party and they loved it!
Mary
December 20, 2023 at 6:20 amThis was absolutely delicious. Will be a weekly lunch from now on.
Jovita
January 8, 2024 at 8:29 pmI am so glad you liked it, Mary!
Piper R
December 29, 2023 at 12:07 amI made this to take to a family get together and the Chicken Salad is amazing!! I used a rotisserie chicken and chopped it up with my chopper. Thank you so much for the recipe and the great idea of serving on sliced apples!! This is now added to made favorites!
Jovita
January 8, 2024 at 8:31 pmYour comment just made my day 🙂 I am happy you and your family enjoyed it!