Fall Chicken Salad

Introduction

Fall Chicken Salad is the ultimate celebration of autumn flavors—think sweet roasted squash, crisp apples, toasted nuts, and juicy chicken, all tossed with a bright homemade vinaigrette. Its vibrant colors and seasonal ingredients make it a showstopper for weekday lunches or elegant dinner parties. With balanced textures and bold pops of flavor, this salad is not just nutritious, but also incredibly satisfying.

Deliciously Unique Fall Chicken Salad

What sets this Fall Chicken Salad apart is the harmonious mix of textures: succulent rotisserie or roasted chicken, crunchy pecans, tart cranberries, sweet apple slices, and tender roasted butternut squash. A tangy maple-Dijon vinaigrette ties everything together, making each bite memorable. It’s hearty enough to be a main dish and will easily become your go-to fall meal.

Preparing the Perfect Chicken and Seasonal Produce

Start by roasting cubes of butternut squash until caramelized—they’ll add natural sweetness and warmth. For protein, use leftover roasted chicken or a freshly cooked breast; shredded or diced both work beautifully. Slice apples just before serving so they retain their crunch and color. Toast pecans or walnuts for added depth, and sprinkle dried cranberries for a chewy burst of tang.

Assembling Your Fall Chicken Salad

On a big platter or salad bowl, layer mixed greens, roasted squash, chicken, sliced apples, nuts, and cranberries. Drizzle with the vinaigrette just before serving—it ensures the greens stay perky and every ingredient remains distinct. For an extra touch, crumble goat cheese or feta on top. This salad is irresistible for guests and also perfect as a meal prep lunch.

Serving Suggestions for a Show Stopping Fall Chicken Salad

Pair your Fall Chicken Salad with a crusty whole-grain bread or a warm baguette to soak up any leftover dressing. This salad also pairs well with a cozy cup of butternut squash soup or a simple apple cider vinaigrette for lighter fare. Serve chilled or at room temperature for the best flavor.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 4 generous servings. Each portion (without cheese) comes in at roughly 400 calories, packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats from the nuts and olive oil. Add cheese for a small calorie bump and extra creaminess!

Deliciously Unique Fall Chicken Salad (Recap)

Fall Chicken Salad combines the season’s best produce and nourishing chicken for a meal that’s bursting with color, flavor, and nutrition. The blend of savory and sweet ingredients ensures it pleases everyone at the table—perfect for family meals or entertaining.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss butternut squash cubes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 20–25 minutes, stirring halfway, until fork-tender and golden brown. Let cool.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together remaining olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to make the vinaigrette.
3. Place greens in a large bowl or platter. Top with roasted squash, chicken, apple slices, toasted pecans or walnuts, and cranberries. Add goat cheese or feta, if using.
4. Drizzle vinaigrette evenly over the salad just before serving. Toss gently or serve dressing on the side.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Fall Chicken Salad is a meal prep star: roast extra squash and prep your chicken in advance for lightning-quick assembly during the week. Save and schedule this recipe in your CookifyAI account to effortlessly plan when to make it and generate smart, consolidated shopping lists for all your weekly meals.

Planning Benefits:

– Automatically totals and organizes ingredients from all scheduled recipes
– Sorts your grocery list by store aisle for faster, smarter shopping
– Helps prevent overbuying or missing ingredients
– Makes weekly meal prep stress-free and organized

Pro tip: Schedule your fall favorites and see overlapping ingredients at a glance—ensuring you buy only what you need and reduce food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes