This high-protein Fall Chicken Salad Apple Cheddar Bites has been on repeat lately. It’s creamy, flavorful, and just the right amount of sweet, tangy, and crunchy. Made with rotisserie chicken, crisp apples, crunchy celery, and chewy cranberries, it’s tossed in a light cottage cheese dressing that’s packed with protein and flavor. One of my favorite ways to serve it is on top of cheddar-topped apple slices. The sweet and salty combo is next level. Whether you serve it as lunch, a snack, or part of your meal-prep rotation, this recipe is one you’ll come back to again and again.

Four round apple slices topped with cheese and a chunky chicken salad mixture containing celery, red onion, and nuts, served on a wooden plate with sliced apples and cheese in the background.

When cozy season hits, I’m all about quick, high-protein meals that feel like fall without needing a slow cooker or an afternoon to make. This Fall Chicken Salad is exactly that. It’s creamy, crunchy, sweet, and savory all at once. It starts with rotisserie chicken (my forever shortcut to a good meal) mixed with apples, pickles, and cranberries for that perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Then comes the dressing: a protein-packed blend of cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, and a mix of herbs that gives you all the creaminess of classic chicken salad without the heaviness. Every bite is light yet satisfying, and the combination of sweet fruit, savory chicken, and that herby tangy dressing is honestly addictive.

And if you want to take it to the next level (and trust me, you do!), serve it on cheddar-topped apple slices. The sharp cheddar melts ever so slightly against the cold, crisp apple. It’s sweet meets salty, creamy meets crunchy, and everything you didn’t know you needed in a bite. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or putting together a snack board for friends, this chicken salad is one of those recipes that feels special without asking you to lift a finger more than necessary.

To make these chicken salad bites, you’ll need cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, rotisserie chicken, celery, red onion, dried cranberries, pecans, honey crisp apples, and cheddar cheese.

A glass jar filled with a creamy dressing is being stirred by a spoon. Surrounding the jar are apples, cottage cheese, yogurt, mustard, spices, and celery, arranged on a light kitchen countertop. — To make these chicken salad bites, you’ll need cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, rotisserie chicken, celery, red onion, dried cranberries, pecans, honey crisp apples, and cheddar cheese.

What You Need to Make This Delicious Fall Chicken Salad

Cottage Cheese: This is what makes the dressing extra creamy and protein-packed without using mayo. I love using Good Culture cottage cheese as it blends perfectly and gives the salad that rich, velvety texture.
Greek Yogurt: The secret to keeping this dressing light and tangy. It balances out the creaminess of the cottage cheese and makes every bite feel fresh.
Dijon Mustard: Adds just the right amount of sharpness to cut through the richness. Don’t skip it, it gives the dressing that little kick that makes you wonder what the secret ingredient is.
Garlic Powder: Subtle, warm, and savory, it rounds out all the flavors without overpowering them.
Salt and Black Pepper: The simplest ingredients often make the biggest difference. These bring out every flavor in the salad.
Thyme and Oregano: These cozy herbs are what give the salad those fall flavors.
Rotisserie Chicken: I always grab a fresh rotisserie chicken when I want a fast, flavorful lunch. Shred it into bite-sized pieces for the perfect base to soak up all that creamy dressing. But, if you want to take this salad to the next level, try my perfectly juicy chicken.

Celery: Adds crunch and freshness in every bite. It’s the perfect contrast to the creamy dressing and chewy cranberries.
Red Onion: A pop of color and a little bite to balance the sweetness of the apples and cranberries.
Dried Cranberries: Sweet, chewy, and perfectly tart, they bring that additional fall element.
Pecans: Toasty, buttery, and crunchy, the kind of texture that keeps you going back for another forkful.
Dill Pickles: This might sound unexpected, but the bring tang cuts through the creaminess and adds the most addictive contrast.
Honey Crisp Apples: Juicy, crisp, and sweet, they tie the whole dish together. They’re used in the chicken salad and as the base for the bites!
Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, salty, and rich, the perfect pairing for the sweet apples and creamy chicken salad.

*Next, prepare the chicken salad. In a large mixing bowl, add the shredded chicken, sliced celery, diced red onion, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, chopped pickles, and chopped apple.*

How to Make This Fall Chicken Salad with Apple Cheddar Bites

To make these Fall Chicken Salad Apple Cheddar Bites, start by preparing the dressing. Add the cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, pepper, thyme, and oregano to a small blender. Blend on high until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If it feels too thick, add 3-4 tablespoons of water, one at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, then set the dressing aside.

Next, prepare the chicken salad. In a large mixing bowl, add the shredded chicken, sliced celery, diced red onion, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, chopped pickles, and chopped apple. Pour the dressing over top and use a large spoon or spatula to toss everything together until it’s evenly coated and creamy.

A bowl filled with chopped celery, pickles, red onion, apple, shredded chicken, dried cranberries, and pecans, with creamy dressing being spooned on top. A spoon and fork rest in the bowl, with apples and pecans nearby. — *Pour the dressing over top and use a large spoon or spatula*.

A bowl of chicken salad with diced apples, celery, cranberries, and red onions sits on a table, with a large spoon in the bowl and round pieces of pie dough nearby. — *Pour the dressing over top and use a large spoon or spatula*.

Once the salad is ready, it’s time to assemble the bites. Slice 2 apples into 4 thick slices each, removing the cores. Lay the apple slices flat and place one slide of cheddar cheese on top of each one. If you want them perfectly matched, use a round cookie cutter to make the cheese and apple slices the same size.

Finally, scoop a generous spoonful of chicken salad onto each cheddar-topped apple slice. Serve immediately and enjoy! Store any leftover chicken salad in a covered container in the fridge for up to one week.

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.