This is a variation of our healthy chicken salad base recipe. We love classic chicken salad, but sometimes it’s fun to add a little pizazz! This curry chicken salad with apples uses Greek yogurt to boost nutrition, curry powder to add flavor and color, and apples and celery for a satisfying crunch.
Three Must-Know Cooking Skills
For recipe success, learn how to:
Culinary Tips for this Easy Curry Chicken Salad Recipe
Mix together the curry chicken salad dressing first to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly distributed before adding the remaining ingredients.
If you are unsure about the strength of the curry flavor, start with 1 teaspoon, then add more to YOUR taste!
Need to cook chicken for this recipe? Try this simple simmering method. Season about 1 pound of raw chicken breasts with salt and pepper, place in a sauté pan, and add water or broth until it covers the bottom quarter of the chicken. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover. Simmer 25-30 minutes, until chicken is tender and not pink. The internal temperature should be at least 165°F.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Plain Greek Yogurt: substitute plain yogurt. Choose a fat content that fits within your overall diet.
- Mayonnaise: substitute up to ½ of the mayonnaise with more Greek yogurt. Keep in mind that the fat in the mayonnaise (provided by eggs and oil) helps improve the texture of the sauce. Look for mayonnaise made with avocado, canola, or olive oil.
- Cilantro: substitute dill or Italian parsley, but note that the flavor will be different.
- Curry Powder: use store-bought or try making your own!
- Lemon Juice: substitute lime juice or apple cider vinegar.
- Garlic: substitute ½ teaspoon pre-minced garlic, ½ teaspoon garlic flakes, ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic or ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder.
- Chicken: use leftover cooked chicken or make curry chicken salad with rotisserie chicken. You could also substitute diced turkey.
- Apple: use any apple variety. If you don’t have apples, make a curry chicken salad with grapes. Mango would also complement the curry flavor well but would not add the same crunch.
- Celery: substitute green bell pepper, red bell pepper, cucumber, or simply leave out.
- Red Onion: substitute green onion or shallot.
Recipe Variations
Looking for a curry chicken salad without mayo? Replace the mayo with additional yogurt or substitute some sour cream, but note that the mouthfeel may not be as good. Consider adding a drizzle of olive oil to make up for the fat that mayo provides.
Add dried fruit to make a curry chicken salad with cranberries or golden raisins.
Want some chicken salad recipe ideas?
Use our base recipe as a guide, then have fun exploring other flavors, ingredients, and textures!
Equipment Recommendations
Use these kitchen tools for recipe success:
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Is this curry chicken salad healthy?
Yes! By cutting back on the mayonnaise and replacing it with gut-friendly Greek yogurt, this recipe is higher in protein and lower in unhealthy fats than traditional chicken salad recipes. We also added fresh herbs, spices, and apples to make this curry chicken salad recipe more plant-forward and delicious!
Chicken
Chicken is a lean protein source. It is also rich in B vitamins and minerals, such as iron. When consumed as part of a diet rich in vegetables, chicken may help reduce the risk of developing overweight and obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. Further, white meat is considered moderately protective or neutral on cancer risk. We recommend purchasing organic and/or pasture-raised chicken if it is within your budget.
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is a great source of B vitamins, calcium, and probiotics. It is also higher in protein than regular yogurt. Select a fat content that works within your overall diet. If you tend to consume a lot of foods high in saturated fat (such as whole milk, red meat, and cheese), a low-fat or fat-free variety is your best choice. If you limit saturated fat in your diet, full-fat varieties are okay.
Spices
Many of the spices in this recipe have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Turmeric in particular has been shown to be especially effective in decreasing inflammation. Combine turmeric with black pepper (which is usually done in curry powder) to maximize absorption – black pepper increases turmeric bioavailability by 2000%!
Apples
Does an apple a day keep the doctor away? It certainly can help! Apples contain prebiotic fibers which support gut health. Apples also contain phytonutrients such as quercetin and catechin which may play roles in cancer and cardiovascular disease prevention. For best nutrition, leave the peel on.
Learn more about health benefits of different foods and ingredients or in our book, To Your Taste!
Curry Chicken Salad with Apples Serving Suggestions
To make a delicious Whole Life Plate, serve this classic chicken salad with whole grain crackers or pita chips and a side of fresh fruits and vegetables. You could also make a curry chicken salad sandwich, wrap, or green salad.
Storage Recommendations
For best quality, store leftover curry chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Want more tasty lunch ideas?
Check out these favorites!
Simple Green Salad Base Recipe
Curry Chicken Salad with Apples
Ingredients
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise (olive or canola oil based)
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- ½ Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 small garlic clove, minced (~½ teaspoon)
- 2 cups diced or shredded cooked chicken (~10 ounces cooked)
- ½ small apple, diced ½" (~¼ cup)
- 1 small celery stalk, diced ½" (~¼ cup)
- 2 Tablespoons finely diced red onion
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, cilantro, curry powder, lemon juice, and garlic in a large bowl.
- Add chicken, apple, celery, and red onion. Using a spatula, fold to gently combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Eat on its own with whole grain crackers or make a sandwich, wrap, or green salad. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
FAQ Questions:
What does curry chicken salad taste like?
Curry chicken salad has a creamy, slightly sweet, savory flavor with warm spices from curry powder. Depending on the recipe, ingredients like grapes, raisins, apples, or honey can add sweetness, while celery and nuts provide crunch and texture.
Can I make curry chicken salad ahead of time?
Yes. Curry chicken salad is an excellent make-ahead dish. In fact, many people find the flavors improve after a few hours in the refrigerator as the curry seasoning has more time to blend with the dressing and chicken.
How long does curry chicken salad last in the fridge?
When stored in an airtight container, curry chicken salad typically stays fresh for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Always keep it chilled and discard it if it develops an off smell or texture.
Can I freeze curry chicken salad?
Freezing is not recommended. Mayonnaise-based dressings can separate after thawing, resulting in a watery texture. For the best flavor and consistency, enjoy curry chicken salad fresh or refrigerated.
This Post Has 2 Comments
Love this curry chicken salad with apples! The Greek yogurt swap makes it so creamy and lighter perfect for a quick lunch. Great balance of sweet and savory flavors. Thanks for the recipe!
Glad you liked it!