The Creamy Chicken Salad with Sweet Apple & Tangy Olive Notes combines tender chunks of juicy chicken with fresh crunch from celery, apple, and red pepper. What sets it apart is the subtle sweetness of plum preserves, which beautifully balances the saltiness of minced green olives, creating layers of flavor in every bite.
Whether you’re preparing a quick lunch, packing for a picnic, or meal-prepping your week, this vibrant chicken salad is both refreshing and satisfying. Its mix of textures and sweet-savory profile ensures it’s never boring, and you can easily customize the ingredients to suit your own preferences or leftovers you have on hand.
Full Recipe:
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1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks (or 2 to 3 cups cooked chicken meat)
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2 ribs celery, chopped
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1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
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4 to 6 green olives, pitted and minced
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1/4 cup red onion, chopped
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1/2 to 1 apple, cored and chopped
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1/3 head iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced and chopped
For the Dressing:
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5 tablespoons mayonnaise
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1 tablespoon plum preserves (or any berry jam)
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2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
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Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
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Poach the chicken (if not using pre-cooked): In a large pot, bring 2 quarts of salted water (1 tablespoon salt) to a boil. Add chicken chunks, return to a simmer, then turn off the heat. Cover and let sit for 15 minutes while prepping other ingredients.
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Make the dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, preserves, and lemon juice. Taste and adjust sweetness and acidity as needed with more preserves or lemon. Add salt and pepper to taste.
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Add chopped ingredients: Stir celery, bell pepper, olives, red onion, and apple into the dressing.
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Dice and mix the chicken: Remove poached chicken and dice into bite-size pieces. Add to the bowl and mix well with the dressed veggies.
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Add lettuce before serving: Fold in chopped iceberg lettuce right before serving to keep it crisp.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes
Kcal: 388 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
A Chicken Salad That Surprises You With Every Bite
Chicken salad has long been a staple in lunchboxes, picnic baskets, and light dinner menus across the globe. But what makes a chicken salad truly memorable? In this version — a Chicken Salad with Apple & Olive Twist — we’re elevating the classic combination with unexpected flavor layers that awaken the palate. The sweet crispness of apple and the briny depth of green olives meet tender, protein-packed chicken in a creamy dressing that’s subtly enhanced with a spoonful of plum preserves. The result is a salad that delivers crunch, creaminess, sweetness, and tang — all in perfect harmony.
This unique combination is ideal for health-conscious eaters, home cooks looking for variety, and anyone who appreciates a creative spin on a familiar favorite. Unlike the store-bought versions often drowned in mayo, this recipe achieves a bright, balanced taste that feels as fresh as it is indulgent.
The Origins and Evolution of Chicken Salad
While the exact origins of chicken salad are debated, many believe it dates back to 19th-century America, where leftover poultry was commonly repurposed in cold preparations. The first widely documented version appeared in 1863 at Town Meats in Rhode Island, featuring chicken mixed with mayonnaise, tarragon, and grapes — a combination that still influences many modern recipes.
What’s fascinating about chicken salad is its global adaptability. In France, it may be tossed with Dijon vinaigrette and fine herbs. In China, sesame oil and soy sauce might flavor it. And in the U.S., the Southern version often includes chopped eggs and sweet pickles. This particular recipe continues the tradition of innovation by blending familiar elements (like mayo and celery) with unconventional ones (like apple and plum preserves), offering a salad that feels both classic and refreshing.
Why This Version Stands Out
What makes this chicken salad special isn’t just the addition of apple or olive — it’s how each ingredient is chosen to create a carefully balanced experience. The sweet plum preserves add a soft, fruity undercurrent to the dressing, harmonizing with the tart apple chunks. Meanwhile, the green olives offer a briny contrast that keeps your tastebuds intrigued.
Instead of relying solely on creamy mayo, the dressing’s balance of acidity and sweetness makes it lighter on the palate. Combined with the crunch from celery and red bell pepper, and the tender, moist chicken, each forkful offers both texture and flavor complexity. The iceberg lettuce, added just before serving, contributes a crisp freshness that makes the salad feel even more vibrant.
This is not your grandmother’s chicken salad — unless, of course, your grandmother was a culinary genius with a talent for balancing bold and subtle flavors alike.
Perfect for Any Occasion
This recipe’s versatility is one of its strongest assets. Serve it chilled in lettuce cups for a light lunch, or scoop it into a sandwich for a heartier option. It pairs wonderfully with crusty artisan bread or whole-grain crackers. For more formal occasions, it can be served in mini phyllo cups or as a topping on endive leaves — elegant enough for brunch tables, bridal showers, or afternoon teas.
If you’re packing a picnic or planning for meal prep, this salad keeps beautifully in the refrigerator (more on that below). It also makes excellent use of leftover rotisserie chicken, making it a time-saving, no-waste option.
Health Benefits of Key Ingredients
From a nutritional standpoint, this chicken salad offers several advantages:
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Lean protein from chicken: This keeps you full longer and supports muscle maintenance and repair.
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Apples: Rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants, apples add both flavor and nutritional value.
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Celery and red bell pepper: These vegetables are low in calories but high in fiber, vitamin C, and water content.
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Green olives: A source of healthy fats and antioxidants, olives help round out the dish’s nutritional profile.
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Plum preserves: While used sparingly, the natural fruit preserves bring not just flavor but a touch of iron and fiber.
Altogether, this salad supports balanced eating and can be part of a lower-carb or high-protein diet depending on how you serve it.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
One of the most common concerns with salads — especially creamy ones — is their storage life. The good news is, this chicken salad can be made 1–2 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. In fact, the flavors tend to deepen after a few hours of marinating, making it even better the next day.
However, it’s best to wait until serving to add the chopped iceberg lettuce. Once mixed in, the lettuce begins to lose its crisp texture and can turn soggy if left too long. If you’re meal prepping, store the lettuce separately and combine just before eating.
If you’re wondering about freezing — it’s not recommended for mayonnaise-based salads, as the dressing can separate and the fresh ingredients (like apples) tend to lose their texture.
Customizations and Substitutions
What’s brilliant about this salad is its adaptability. While it’s delightful as-is, here are a few ways you can tweak the recipe based on preferences or what’s in your pantry:
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Fruit swaps: Try using pears or grapes instead of apples for a slightly different sweetness.
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Preserve alternatives: Don’t have plum jam? Apricot, raspberry, or fig preserves will work beautifully.
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Add-ins: Try toasted almonds, sunflower seeds, or even dried cranberries for additional crunch or chew.
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Greens upgrade: If you prefer a nutrient-dense alternative to iceberg, swap in arugula, spinach, or baby kale.
And if you’re looking to make it dairy-free or keto-friendly, simply ensure your mayo and preserves align with your dietary needs. There’s virtually no limit to how this recipe can evolve with your preferences.
Serving Suggestions
This chicken salad plays well with both casual and upscale presentations. For a lunch box or picnic, a classic sandwich or wrap is always welcome. If you’re aiming for a low-carb option, consider stuffing it into avocado halves or wrapping it in butter lettuce leaves.
Hosting guests? Plate it on a bed of mixed greens and top with slivered almonds for a more elegant presentation. You can also create a salad bar with various toppings and breads so guests can build their own meal. Because of the eye-catching colors from the apples, peppers, and lettuce, it’s always visually appealing — a definite bonus when serving to company.
What Makes It So Crowd-Pleasing
There’s something deeply nostalgic yet exciting about this version of chicken salad. It ticks the boxes for comfort food, yet feels gourmet enough to serve at a catered event. Its wide appeal lies in the familiar ingredients delivered in a surprising way. Kids love the sweetness from the fruit, while adults appreciate the complexity added by the olives and preserves.
The creamy texture, vibrant color palette, and refreshing crunch make it a dish that people remember — and often ask for the recipe.
Conclusion: A New Classic Worth Adding to Your Repertoire
The Chicken Salad with Apple & Olive Twist isn’t just another lunch idea — it’s a flavor-forward, texturally rich upgrade to the humble chicken salad. Easy enough to throw together midweek, yet special enough to serve to guests, this dish exemplifies what modern home cooking should be: inventive, approachable, and undeniably delicious.
Whether you’re enjoying it straight from the fridge or dressing it up for an occasion, this salad deserves a place in your regular rotation. It’s flexible, full of contrast, and — above all — satisfying. With a thoughtful mix of sweet, salty, and tangy, this chicken salad reinvents a classic in the best way possible.
