If there’s one sandwich I could eat all autumn long, it’s Autumn Chicken Salad Sandwiches. Packed with crisp apples, juicy grapes, sweet-tart cranberries, crunchy pecans, and tender chunks of chicken, all dressed in a creamy yet perky dressing, these sandwiches have absolutely everything going for them. Folded into soft croissants or your favorite sandwich rolls, they bring a festival of fall flavors and colors to your lunch plate (or picnic basket), making every bite taste like a cozy celebration of the season.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Autumn Chicken Salad Sandwiches Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a handful of simple, fresh ingredients to create the perfect Autumn Chicken Salad Sandwiches. Each one brings its own special texture or pop of flavor, making the finished salad incredibly well balanced and totally irresistible.

Chicken breast: Cooked and diced for a hearty protein base—rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut!
Apple (such as Honeycrisp): Adds crunch and a touch of natural sweetness; leave the peel on for extra color.
Red grapes: Halved for juicy bursts of flavor; seedless grapes are best for easy eating.
Dried cranberries: Little gems that infuse tang and chewiness—look for unsweetened if you prefer less sugar.
Pecans: Chopped for a delightful nutty crunch; toast them lightly for deeper flavor.
Celery: Finely chopped for freshness and classic chicken salad crunch.
Red onion: Adds mild bite and beautiful color contrast—use as much or as little as you like.
Mayonnaise: Provides the creamy base that binds everything together; use your favorite brand.
Dijon mustard: Offers a subtle, sophisticated tanginess that wakes up the flavors.
Apple cider vinegar: Lends brightness and a little zing, keeping the salad lively.
Salt and pepper: Essential for balancing and boosting every other ingredient.
Croissants or sandwich rolls: Soft, buttery croissants or your favorite roll make these sandwiches a treat.
Lettuce leaves: A crisp, fresh layer that keeps the chicken salad from soaking into the bread and adds even more crunch.

How to Make Autumn Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Step 1: Combine the Chicken and Fruits

Start by grabbing a large mixing bowl—the bigger, the better, because you want enough room to really toss everything together. Add the diced chicken, crisp apple chunks, halved grapes, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, celery, and red onion. Give it all a gentle stir so ingredients are evenly distributed and you can instantly see the beautiful fall colors shining through.

Step 2: Mix Up the Creamy Dressing

In a separate, smaller bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, plus a good pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. This dressing should taste tangy and creamy with just a bit of zing—feel free to adjust the vinegar or mustard to suit your preferences.

Step 3: Dress and Toss

Pour your creamy dressing right over the chicken and fruit mixture. Using a big spoon or spatula, gently fold to combine everything until each piece is evenly coated—try not to crush the grapes if possible! The mixture should look lush and inviting, with a perfect balance of creamy dressing and chunky bits.

Step 4: Chill and Meld Flavors

Cover the bowl and pop the salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This little nap in the fridge lets all the flavors get to know each other, resulting in a more harmonious, delicious filling for your Autumn Chicken Salad Sandwiches. If you’re short on time, even 10 minutes helps, but if you can plan ahead, longer is better.

Step 5: Assemble the Sandwiches

When you’re ready to eat, split your croissants or sandwich rolls (lightly toast if you love a little extra crunch). Line each with a crisp lettuce leaf, then generously spoon the chicken salad on top. If you like, add more lettuce, then finish with the other half of your bread.

How to Serve Autumn Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Garnishes

A little garnish can turn your Autumn Chicken Salad Sandwiches into an absolute showstopper. Sprinkle extra chopped pecans or dried cranberries on top for added crunch and jewel-bright color, or add a little snip of fresh chives for fresh, oniony green flavor.

Side Dishes

Pair these sandwiches with simple, fresh sides that complement their autumn flavors—think kettle-cooked potato chips, a crisp cucumber salad, or a cup of butternut squash soup if you’re feeling especially seasonal. Even a small bunch of grapes or sliced seasonal fruit keeps things light and refreshing.

Creative Ways to Present

Autumn Chicken Salad Sandwiches aren’t just for lunch! Serve scoops on top of mixed greens for a grain-free autumn salad, spoon them into lettuce wraps for a low-carb snack, or spread the mixture on mini croissant halves for an elegant brunch platter. They also make irresistible tea sandwiches for parties—just cut into thirds and secure with pretty picks.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Autumn Chicken Salad Sandwiches filling keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just stir well before using again, as some juices may settle. Assemble sandwiches fresh each time to keep the bread from getting soggy.

Freezing

While you can freeze just the chicken salad mixture, the texture of apples and grapes can change once frozen and thawed. For best results, freeze the chicken salad without the fruit and nuts, then stir them in after thawing. Fully assembled Autumn Chicken Salad Sandwiches do not freeze well.

Reheating

This sandwich is meant to be enjoyed cold or at room temperature—no reheating necessary! If the pecans or bread have softened in the fridge, refresh the salad with an extra sprinkle of nuts and use freshly toasted rolls or croissants when assembling.

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken for Autumn Chicken Salad Sandwiches?

Absolutely! Using rotisserie chicken is a great time saver and introduces extra flavor. Just shred or dice the meat, and be sure to remove the skin for the best texture in your salad.

What’s the best way to make these gluten-free?

Simply serve the filling in gluten-free rolls, wrap it in large lettuce leaves, or scoop it over salad greens. The chicken salad itself contains no gluten, so a quick bread swap does the trick!

Can I make Autumn Chicken Salad Sandwiches lighter?

Definitely. Swap half or all of the mayonnaise for plain Greek yogurt. This gives you the same creamy texture but with more protein and less fat, plus a subtle tang that’s delicious with the autumn flavors.

How far in advance can I make the chicken salad?

You can prepare the chicken salad mixture up to 24 hours ahead. Just store it tightly covered in the refrigerator, and assemble your sandwiches when ready to serve for best freshness.

What other mix-ins work well in this recipe?

Feel free to get creative! Chopped walnuts or almonds add a different crunch, golden raisins provide an extra pop of sweetness, or try a handful of diced pears for another autumnal touch. The base recipe for Autumn Chicken Salad Sandwiches is very flexible!

Final Thoughts

With a perfect harmony of sweet, savory, and crunchy, Autumn Chicken Salad Sandwiches are the ultimate way to capture the spirit of fall in every delicious bite. If you haven’t tried this flavor-packed twist on classic chicken salad, now’s the time—your tastebuds (and your lunch guests) will thank you!

Autumn Chicken Salad Sandwiches Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 26 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Autumn Chicken Salad Sandwiches are a delightful blend of flavors and textures, perfect for a light and satisfying meal. Tender chicken, crisp apples, sweet grapes, and crunchy pecans are tossed in a creamy dressing and served on buttery croissants or sandwich rolls.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Salad:

2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
1 apple (such as Honeycrisp), cored and diced
1/2 cup red grapes, halved
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped

Dressing:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Additional:

4 croissants or sandwich rolls
Lettuce leaves for serving

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix chicken, apple, grapes, cranberries, pecans, celery, and red onion.
Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper.
Toss with Dressing: Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and toss to coat evenly.
Chill: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Assemble: Split croissants or rolls, layer with lettuce, and spoon chicken salad on top.