🥗 Greek Chicken Apple Salad 🍏🍅🇬🇷
A refreshing, wholesome twist on classic Greek salad, this Greek Chicken Apple Salad combines savory chicken with crisp apples, juicy veggies, and a tangy Greek dressing. It’s perfect for lunch, meal prep, or a light dinner—balancing protein, crunch, and Mediterranean flavor in every bite.
📝 Ingredients:
🥗 Salad Base:
- 1½ cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded (grilled or rotisserie)
- 1 apple, chopped (Honeycrisp or Fuji for sweetness & crunch)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
🧀 Optional Greek-Style Add-ins:
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or mint (for a herby lift)
🫒 Simple Greek Dressing:
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar or lemon juice
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Optional: ¼ tsp Dijon mustard (for added tang & creaminess)
👨🍳 Instructions:
- Prepare the Ingredients
- Chop the apple (no need to peel), dice or shred the chicken, and prep the veggies.
- Make the Dressing
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, vinegar/lemon juice, oregano, Dijon (if using), and salt & pepper until well combined.
- Assemble the Salad
- In a large bowl, combine chicken, apples, tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
- Add optional ingredients like feta, olives, and herbs for a full Greek flavor.
- Toss and Serve
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Serve immediately or chill for 15–20 minutes for deeper flavor.
🍽️ Servings:
Serves 2–3 as a main dish, or 4 as a side.
🔍 Notes:
- Best apples: Use sweet-crisp varieties like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Pink Lady. Avoid mealy apples like Red Delicious.
- Protein boost: Add more chicken or a handful of chickpeas for extra protein.
- Make-ahead tip: Store the dressing separately if prepping in advance to prevent sogginess.
- Dairy-free version: Skip the feta or use a plant-based version.
💡 Tips:
- Add chopped walnuts or slivered almonds for extra crunch and healthy fats.
- Grill fresh chicken with a touch of oregano, garlic, and lemon for a homemade twist.
- To mellow red onion, soak slices in cold water for 5–10 minutes before adding.
🧾 Nutritional Info (per serving — assuming 3 servings with feta & olives):
- Calories: ~320 kcal
- Protein: ~25g
- Fat: ~20g
- Carbohydrates: ~13g
- Fiber: ~3g
- Sugar: ~7g
Without cheese/olives, calories drop by ~60 kcal per serving.
🌿 Health Benefits:
- High in protein: Satisfies hunger and supports muscle repair.
- Healthy fats from olive oil and optional feta/olives support heart and brain health.
- Apples provide fiber and antioxidants.
- Vegetables like cucumber and tomatoes aid hydration and are rich in vitamins.
❓ Q&A:
Q: Can I use canned chicken or rotisserie chicken?
A: Yes! Rotisserie adds great flavor, and canned works in a pinch—just drain it well.
Q: How long will it keep in the fridge?
A: 2–3 days if stored in an airtight container. For best texture, add dressing and apples just before serving.
Q: What can I serve it with?
A: Try it in a pita, over greens, with quinoa, or alongside whole grain toast or crackers.
Q: Is it gluten-free?
A: Yes! All ingredients listed are naturally gluten-free.
Q: Can I make it vegan?
A: Definitely! Replace chicken with chickpeas or tofu and skip the feta or use vegan cheese.