This healthy cashew chicken salad with apples is a dairy-free, lighter take on the classic. It combines cooked chicken breast, crisp apples, crunchy celery, raw cashews, and a creamy dairy-free dressing for a satisfying, wholesome meal or snack.
When I need something fresh and easy, this cashew chicken salad with apples is my go-to. It’s versatile—serve it as a sandwich, on apple slices, over a bed of greens, or with crackers and vegetables. It’s especially delicious in the fall when apples are at their peak, but the flavors work year-round.
The dressing keeps this version dairy-free while remaining creamy and bright. I make it with an avocado-oil mayonnaise, unsweetened almond milk Greek-style yogurt, apple cider vinegar, lemon, and a touch of honey for balance. If you prefer dairy, regular unsweetened Greek yogurt works equally well.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Made with whole, clean ingredients. This chicken salad is dairy-free and gluten-free when you choose appropriate mayo and yogurt. The dressing avoids refined sugars and unhealthy oils.
- Meal-prep friendly. Make a batch for quick lunches during a busy week—the flavors meld beautifully after resting and it stores well in the fridge for several days.
- Creamy without dairy. The combo of mayonnaise and a non-dairy Greek-style yogurt creates a light, creamy dressing. Swap in regular Greek yogurt if you’re not avoiding dairy.
Ingredients
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
The complete list of ingredients and quantities is in the recipe section below. Here are some helpful notes and substitutions to keep your salad clean and adaptable.
Chicken – Cooked, shredded chicken breast works best, but chopped chicken or pulled rotisserie chicken are fine. Shredded chicken creates a softer texture that blends well with the dressing.
Apple – Choose a sweet apple like Honeycrisp or Pink Lady for a pleasant contrast to the savory dressing. Granny Smith adds a tart kick if you prefer.
Celery – Adds fresh crunch. If you want less celery flavor, reduce the amount or chop it finely.
Mayonnaise – Use a quality avocado-oil mayonnaise or another mayonnaise made with a healthy oil. Read labels and avoid products that include poorly sourced seed oils and added sugars.
Dairy-free Greek-style yogurt – Unsweetened almond milk Greek-style yogurt is a great dairy-free option. If you don’t need dairy-free, use plain unsweetened Greek yogurt.
Honey – Optional. Omit for a sugar-free version or substitute a small amount of maple syrup if preferred.
Cashews – Raw or roasted cashews both work; roasted will add a deeper flavor. You can substitute sliced almonds or chopped pecans if desired.
How to Make It
- Prepare the dressing. Whisk together the mayonnaise, non-dairy Greek-style yogurt, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, honey (if using), ground mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth.
2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked shredded chicken, chopped apple, chopped celery, and cashews. Pour the dressing over the mixture.
3. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated with dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
For best flavor, cover and chill the salad for 1–2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Serve over greens, on apple slices, or in sandwiches.
FAQs
Both work, but I prefer shredded chicken for a softer, more cohesive texture. A hand mixer can quickly shred cooked chicken if you want a very tender result—just let the chicken cool slightly and break it into smaller pieces before mixing.
Yes. Rotisserie chicken is convenient and flavorful—use white meat, dark meat, or a mix depending on your preference.
No. Leaving the peel on saves time and adds nutrition and extra crunch.
Storage Instructions
This chicken salad keeps well for up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Note that the cashews may soften after a day or two; if you prefer them crunchy, add them just before serving.
Tips & Tricks
- Add sliced grapes for extra sweetness and texture, or combine grapes and apples.
- Swap cashews for sliced almonds or chopped pecans for a different crunch.
- Fresh herbs like dill, chives, tarragon, or thyme brighten the salad—add a small handful to taste.
- Serve as sliders, a sandwich filling, or a topping for salad greens. Avocado, green onions, or cherry tomatoes make great additions.
More Healthy Salad Recipes
-
Healthy Broccoli Salad
-
Vegan Mediterranean Buddha Bowls (w/ tahini dressing)
-
Ultimate BLT Chicken Salad
-
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad w/ Goat Cheese and Kale
If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Leave a rating or a comment with any tweaks you made. Enjoy!
Eat Clean. Be Well!
-Sara
Healthy Cashew Chicken Salad (dairy free)
Ingredients
Cashew Chicken Salad Ingredients
- 2 lbs. cooked and shredded chicken
- 1 apple, chopped (I prefer a sweet apple)
- 1 cup chopped celery (about 3 stalks)
- ½ cup raw cashews (sliced or whole)
Dressing Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise (use avocado-oil mayonnaise if possible)
- ½ cup non-dairy Greek-style yogurt (unsweetened), or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
- First, prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, non-dairy Greek-style yogurt, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, honey (if using), ground mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- In a large bowl, add the shredded chicken, chopped apple, chopped celery, and cashews. Pour the dressing over the mixture and mix until everything is evenly coated.
- You can serve right away, but for best flavor let the salad sit covered in the refrigerator for 1–2 hours.
- Serve over spinach or other greens, on toasted bread or crackers, or in sandwiches. Optional toppings: avocado, green onions, or tomatoes.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Choose an avocado-oil mayonnaise or another high-quality mayo without added sugars or poor-quality oils to keep the dressing clean.
- Unsweetened non-dairy Greek-style yogurt gives a creamy texture while keeping the recipe dairy-free. Plain unsweetened dairy Greek yogurt is a suitable alternative.
- Honey is optional—omit it for a sugar-free dressing.
- Shredded chicken, diced chicken, or pulled rotisserie chicken all work well.
- To preserve crunch, add cashews just before serving or use roasted cashews for a deeper flavor.
- Store in the refrigerator up to 5 days in an airtight container.
Nutrition
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Carbohydrates: 8 g
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Protein: 32 g
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Fat: 42 g