The magic of this chicken salad lies in the unexpected combination of simple, wholesome ingredients. Sweet, juicy apple chunks and briny green olives bring contrast and complexity, while a touch of plum preserve in the dressing adds just the right amount of intrigue. It’s a dish that bridges savory and sweet in a beautifully balanced way.
Whether you’re prepping for a picnic, packing lunchboxes, or looking for a refreshing midweek meal, this salad is a satisfying option that doesn’t skimp on flavor or nutrition. It’s easy to make ahead and tastes even better as the flavors meld together over time — just add the lettuce right before serving for that perfect crisp bite.
Full Recipe:
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1 pound raw boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 2 to 3 cups cooked chicken meat), cut into chunks
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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 chopped red onion
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1/2 to 1 apple, cored and chopped
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1/3 head iceberg lettuce, sliced and chopped
For the Dressing:
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5 tablespoons mayonnaise
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1 tablespoon plum preserves (or other sweet berry preserve or a lesser amount of honey)
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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:
Bring a large pot with 2 quarts of water and 1 tablespoon of salt to a boil. Add the chicken pieces and return to a simmer. Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let the chicken poach in the hot water for 15 minutes. -
Prepare the Dressing:
In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, plum preserves, and lemon juice. Adjust the sweetness or tartness to taste, then season with salt and pepper. -
Combine Veggies and Fruit:
Add chopped celery, red bell pepper, green olives, red onion, and apple into the bowl with the dressing. Mix thoroughly. -
Add Chicken:
Remove the chicken from water, dice it, and mix it into the salad bowl. -
Serve:
When ready to serve, fold in the chopped iceberg lettuce for added crunch.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 388 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
The Ultimate Guide to a Flavorful and Refreshing Chicken Salad
Chicken salad is a timeless dish that adapts easily to every season, occasion, and taste preference. From lunchboxes to potlucks, it has secured its place as a crowd-pleasing staple. The version we’re focusing on today goes beyond the ordinary. It’s a colorful, sweet-and-savory medley that fuses comforting familiarity with a delightful twist—thanks to a unique dressing ingredient: plum preserves.
If you’re searching for a way to elevate your chicken salad game, this is the recipe to explore. It balances creamy textures with a fresh crunch and tang, with just enough sweetness to make every bite interesting.
What Makes This Chicken Salad Unique
What sets this chicken salad apart isn’t just the high-quality, fresh ingredients—it’s the plum preserves added to the mayonnaise-based dressing. While many chicken salads lean heavily on salt and creaminess, this version introduces complexity by adding a layer of fruity sweetness. It doesn’t overpower the dish; instead, it complements the tang of lemon juice and the mild flavor of poached chicken. You could substitute it with other berry preserves like raspberry or strawberry, or even a touch of honey, but plum gives a uniquely rich depth that few other ingredients can replicate.
Another standout ingredient is the combination of green olives and chopped apple. These two work surprisingly well together—apples bring a crisp sweetness while the olives add a briny, savory bite. Together, they keep the flavor profile layered and engaging.
The Importance of Texture and Contrast
Texture is one of the most underappreciated elements in a great chicken salad. In this version, crunch is abundant—celery, apple, red bell pepper, and iceberg lettuce deliver freshness in every bite. The tender, poached chicken serves as a perfect base to hold all these elements together without being overpowering.
Even within the soft and creamy components, there are gradients. The mayonnaise is smooth and rich, while the preserve adds a light stickiness and brightness. The lettuce, added just before serving, gives the dish that final satisfying crisp that’s essential in a well-executed salad.
Versatility at Its Best
This chicken salad recipe is incredibly flexible. You can serve it in a sandwich, over a bed of greens, wrapped in lettuce cups, or simply on its own as a light, protein-packed meal. It’s also highly adaptable to different dietary needs and ingredient availability.
For example:
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Want it dairy-free? It’s already naturally free of dairy.
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Going low-carb? Skip the bread and go for lettuce wraps or spoon it over cucumber slices.
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Need to use up leftovers? This is a fantastic way to repurpose leftover roast chicken or even grilled thighs.
You can also swap out ingredients based on what you have:
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Substitute red bell pepper with carrots or radish for crunch.
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Replace green olives with capers for a sharper tang.
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Use romaine or baby spinach instead of iceberg lettuce.
The Art of Poaching Chicken for Salad
One of the most overlooked but essential steps in creating the perfect chicken salad is the way you cook the chicken. This recipe recommends poaching, and for good reason. It’s a gentle cooking method that retains moisture and ensures your chicken comes out tender, not rubbery.
To poach chicken properly, it’s submerged in salted water and left to cook through residual heat. This technique allows for better control and avoids overcooking, which is often the downfall of many chicken salads. The added benefit is that you can use the poaching liquid later as a light broth for soups or grains.
Of course, if you’re pressed for time, rotisserie chicken is a fine substitute—but poaching your own gives you both superior flavor and control.
Meal Prep and Storage Tips
This chicken salad holds up well in the refrigerator for up to three days, making it an excellent meal-prep option. However, if you plan to store it, it’s best to leave out the chopped lettuce until you’re ready to serve. Lettuce tends to wilt and lose its crunch quickly once mixed with the creamy dressing.
Store the salad in an airtight container and stir it gently before serving to refresh the texture. You can also double or triple the batch and portion it out for grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.
If you’re packing this for a picnic or outdoor event, consider keeping the lettuce and dressing separate and assembling just before serving for the freshest result.
A Balanced Nutritional Profile
Chicken salad is often misunderstood as being either too rich or too lean. This version hits a balanced nutritional sweet spot. With approximately 388 calories per serving and a healthy dose of protein (37g per serving), it’s satisfying without being heavy. The vegetables add fiber and vitamins, while the mayonnaise and preserve dressing provide just enough fat to help with satiety and flavor delivery.
The use of real, whole ingredients means you’re not dealing with artificial preservatives or sodium overload, which is common in store-bought or deli-style chicken salads.
For those keeping an eye on macronutrients:
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It’s low in carbs (under 20g per serving)
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High in protein
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Moderate in fat, depending on the type and amount of mayo used
You can further tailor the nutrition by using light mayo, Greek yogurt, or even an avocado-based dressing.
Perfect for All Seasons
Chicken salad might seem like a summer dish—and yes, it’s perfect for a picnic spread or garden lunch—but its ingredients are available year-round. The use of apples and olives also adds an autumnal vibe, while the creamy base makes it feel hearty enough for colder months.
In summer, serve it cold with crisp iceberg lettuce or cucumber slices. In winter, stuff it into a warm pita or serve with roasted sweet potatoes for a cozier variation.
Presentation Tips for Maximum Appeal
We eat with our eyes first, and the vibrant mix of ingredients in this chicken salad provides a great opportunity to present it beautifully. The contrast of pale chicken, bright red bell pepper, green olives, and flecks of apple and onion makes for a colorful plate.
Serve it in:
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A hollowed-out bell pepper
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Lettuce boats for a fresh and low-carb approach
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Mason jars layered with lettuce for portable lunch options
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Whole-grain toast or croissants for brunch spreads
A sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or dill on top can elevate the visual appeal and add a burst of flavor.
Creative Variations to Try
The beauty of this recipe is that it’s a foundation, not a rulebook. You can riff off the core flavors in numerous ways:
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Spicy kick: Add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the dressing.
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Crunch boost: Toss in chopped walnuts, almonds, or pumpkin seeds.
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Fruit swap: Replace apples with grapes, cranberries, or even diced mango.
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Protein switch: Use turkey or tofu instead of chicken for a variation.
Every tweak lets you create a new version of the dish while staying true to its creamy, satisfying essence.
Conclusion: Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to This Chicken Salad
This chicken salad is far more than a quick lunch fix—it’s a celebration of balance, creativity, and comfort. It’s easy to prepare, endlessly versatile, and guaranteed to appeal to a variety of palates.
What makes it stand out is its contrast: sweet and savory, creamy and crisp, familiar and inventive. Whether you’re serving it for family dinner, prepping for a busy workweek, or bringing a dish to a potluck, this chicken salad is one that will always earn compliments and recipe requests.
