This Rustic Chicken and Wild Rice Salad with Apples is a fresh twist on the classic chicken salad. The combination of tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and crisp, juicy apples creates a unique flavor profile that’s both hearty and refreshing. With the earthy texture of wild rice and the natural sweetness of apples, this salad offers a perfect balance of flavors that feel comforting yet vibrant.
If you like wild rice, my wild rice casserole with mushrooms is another hearty, vegetarian dish. It is easy to make ahead and so creamy and delicious.
What is wild rice?
Wild rice is the seed of aquatic grasses native to North America, primarily from the Great Lakes region. Traditionally harvested by Indigenous peoples, it grows naturally in freshwater lakes and rivers in states like Minnesota and Wisconsin. Cultivated wild rice is also produced in Minnesota and California. You can find it in grocery stores, specialty food shops, or online, prized for its nutty flavor and chewy texture.
Ingredients
- Chicken breast- You can also use chicken thighs.
- Wild rice- cooked wild rice. I like to cook mine in the rice cooker. It is such a simple method.
- Celery- It adds a tasty little crunch to this salad.
- Apples- Honeycrisp or cosmic crisp are my favorite.
- Dried cranberries- These are optional, but I love the tang they add.
- Mayo-You can also use a blend of plain Greek yogurt and mayo.
- Shallots- onions can be used as well.
- Dijon Mustard- stone ground mustard is really good in this salad as well.
- Spices- Used for cooking the chicken- Salt, pepper, garlic salt, thyme.
How to make
The chicken and wild rice must be cooked beforehand, so start them first. In a pan, cover the chicken with several inches of water. Add the salt, pepper, garlic salt, and thyme to the pan. Boil on medium heat until the chicken is tender.
TOP TIP: Plan ahead a bit for this recipe! Wild rice takes time to cook -- sometimes as much as an hour!! Also, it needs a bit of time to cool down before assembling the salad. cool a bit.
Once it and the wild rice are cooked and cooled, it is time to put it all together. Add everything to a medium-sized bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then mix well. Check it for taste and add more salt and pepper as needed.
How to store
This chicken salad with hold for a few days, but the apples in the salad does shorten the time you are able to store it. Once it is all mixed together, store it in an airtight container and place it is the fridge. It will hold well for 24 hours, and even thought the apples will brown a little, it is still good for up to 36 hours in the fridge.
Ways to serve this salad
- On a Bed of Greens: Serve over fresh spinach, arugula, or mixed greens for added texture and color.
- In Lettuce Wraps: Scoop the salad into crisp lettuce leaves for a light, handheld option.
- Stuffed in Bell Peppers: Hollow out bell peppers and fill them with the salad for a colorful presentation.
- As a Sandwich Filling: Use it as a hearty filling for croissants, wraps, or whole-grain bread.
- With Crackers or Breadsticks: Serve alongside for scooping and dipping at gatherings.
- In a Grain Bowl: Pair with roasted veggies, nuts, and a drizzle of vinaigrette for a complete meal.
- Topped with Fresh Herbs: Garnish with parsley, dill, or chives for added flavor and appeal.
- Chilled as a Side Dish: Serve it cold alongside grilled chicken or fish
Rustic Chicken and Wild Rice Salad with Apples
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked wild rice, cooled
- 4 cups cooked chicken, cooked and cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1 cup apple chunks
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 2 cups chopped celery
- ½ cup finely minced shallots
- 1 ½ cups mayonnaise you can also use plain Greek yogurt
- ⅓ cup Dijon mustard
Ingredients to boil in with chicken
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon thyme
Instructions
- Cover the chicken with several inches of water in your pan. Add the 1 tsp. salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic salt, and ¼ teaspoon thyme to the pan. Boil on medium heat until the chicken is tender.
- Once it and the wild rice are cooked and cooled, it is time to put it all together. Add everything to a medium-sized bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then mix well. Check it for taste and add more salt and pepper as needed.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!