Most chicken salad recipes include celery, but that's not a necessary ingredient. In fact, this recipe is for a delicious chicken salad without celery. We will use a crisp apple instead for a nice bit of crunch.
If you're looking for a tasty alternative to traditional chicken salad, give this recipe a try! It's the perfect side dish to our copycat Panera Tomato Soup and Wendy's Apple Pecan Salad recipes.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This recipe for making chicken salad without celery is simple and easy to follow, and the end result is a flavorful dish that your whole family will love.
You still get a crunch from the apples, Granny Smith is the best, but any apples will work!
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Ingredients
Cook up some chicken breasts and dice them up, or use Swanson Canned Chicken Breast that has been drained. Granny Smith is my favorite, but Honey Crisp apples are great also!
- Canned or fresh cooked Chicken Breast (12 oz can, or two cooked chicken breasts).
- Red Onion, chopped
- Apple, cored and chopped
- Walnuts, chopped
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Black Pepper, ground
- Mayonnaise, make sure to use real mayonnaise, not Miracle Whip or salad dressing.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Chicken Salad without Celery
Cook your chicken ahead of time, or use the breast meat from a rotisserie chicken. Swanson canned chicken breast is perfect also.
Chop the Ingredients
- Chop or dice the chicken if you cooked it or removed it from a rotisserie chicken. About 1" or ¾" pieces.
- Chop the apple, peel on. Dice the red onion up small. Chop the walnuts so they are no larger than ¼" pieces.
- Add all the ingredients to a large bowl.
Mix the Ingredients
- Mix all the ingredients, adding the apple cider vinegar and the mayonnaise.
- Stir well so the chicken breaks up a bit. Blend well so that everything holds together well.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
Serving Suggestions
This chicken salad can be used in sandwiches or as a salad topped on lettuce. Serve with our Panera Tomato Soup or a salad if not making a sandwich with it. It's also amazing wrapped up in our Whole Wheat Tortilla Wraps!
Should you prefer chicken salad with celery, see our Chicken Salad Wraps, they have apples, almonds, and celery in that version!
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
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Substitutions and Variations
If you are not crazy for chopped apples, try substituting grapes, or raisins. Almonds or Pecans are also great substitutes for the walnuts. If you have leftover turkey this Holiday season, make this using leftover turkey!
Storage
Store remaining chicken salad in food storage tubs in your refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Tips for Success
- Using rotisserie chicken is the easiest tip! It's tender, no mess, and economical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anything with mayonnaise does not freeze well. Freezing causes the mayonnaise to separate and get water. It will change the salad and mke it unappetizing.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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📖 Recipe
Chicken Salad without Celery
Ingredients
- 16 oz cooked chicken breast or two 12 oz cans of Swanson chicken, drained
- ¼ cup red onion chopped
- 1 large apple any variety
- ¼ cup walnuts chopped
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise not Miracle Whip
Instructions
- Chop the chicken, red onion, walnuts, and apple. Place them in a large mixing bowl.16 oz cooked chicken breast, ¼ cup red onion, 1 large apple, ¼ cup walnuts
- Add the apple cider vinegar, pepper, and mayonnaise. Mix well, letting the chicken break up with the mixing.2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ⅔ cup mayonnaise
- Serve on bread or on a bed of lettuce. Refrigerate leftovers.
Notes
- Best Tip Ever: Buy a rotisserie chicken and use the breast meat for this chicken salad!
- Use leftover Thanksgiving or Christmas Turkey and make this salad! Spread leftover cranberry sauce on the bread then make a Turkey Salad without celery sandwich!
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