Copycat Wendy’s apple pecan salad is a great hearty salad filled with fresh flavors and crunch. Loaded with chicken, apples, pecans and topped with a pomegranate vinaigrette dressing, this salad really delivers on taste.

 

Wendy’s might be known for a delicious burger but they also have a great salad menu. Wendy’s salads range from a Tex-Mex inspired taco salad to a classic Caesar salad. One of my favorites has to be their apple pecan salad.

This fresh salad is one of my go-to meals to make when I’m craving some crunch and fall flavors. It makes a wonderful, light main meal or if you remove the chicken, could be a tasty side salad.

Be sure to check out these fast food copycat recipes:

• Taco Bell quesadilla sauce
• Wingstop fries
• Chick-Fil-A avocado lime ranch dressing

Ingredients needed

Chicken – You can use cooked shredded chicken or chicken breast strips. I like using grilled chicken or air fried chicken breast. This is a great recipe to use leftover chicken.

Apples – Use your favorite green apple or red apple. You can even combine both red and green. I like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith because they have a wonderful crispy texture. Make sure to chop them into bite sized apple chunks. to make them easier to eat.

Dried cranberries – Tart and sweet cranberries add a nice flavor to the salad.

Pecans – Chopped pecans. They can be raw or toasted.

Lettuce – You can use your favorite lettuce. I like combining green leaf lettuce combined with a spring mix. You could also use Romaine lettuce or butter lettuce.

Blue cheese crumbles – These can usually be found in a tub in the cheese section.

Dressing – Wendy’s uses a bottled Marzetti Simply Dressed pomegranate vinaigrette dressing or you can make your own following the recipe below.

How to make Wendy’s Apple Pecan Salad

1. Dressing: Combine pomegranate juice, red wine vinegar, mustard, honey, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper to a small bowl or jar. Whisk until combined.
2. Salad: Place lettuce on plate or in a bowl.
3. Top with cooked chicken, pecans, cranberries, blue cheese, and diced apples.
4. Drizzle with homemade or bottled dressing.

Homemade pomegranate vinaigrette

Wendy’s uses a bottled, pre-packaged dressing but you can easily make your own copycat Wendy’s apple pecan salad dressing. This dressing will stay good in the refrigerator for up to a week.

• 1/4 cup pomegranate juice
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar (can substitute with white vinegar)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• pinch of salt and black pepper

Combine all of the ingredients into a bowl or jar and then whisk until blended. This will make about one cup of dressing.

Recipe tips and variations

• If you want to take the flavors up a notch, toast the chopped pecans for 2-3 minutes on the stove or in the oven.
• Substitute with a raspberry vinaigrette dressing or your favorite dressing.
• Want to add a bit of warm, salty flavor. Try adding some cooked, chopped bacon.
• Like things a little sweeter? Try substituting with candied pecans.

How to store

I would recommend storing the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If possible leave the dressing off when storing so the salad doesn’t get too wet and stays fresh.

If you like a hearty salad, be sure to try this delicious viral grinder salad recipe.

More easy copycat recipes

• Wingstop fries
• Wingstop ranch
• Texas Roadhouse seasoned rice
• Texas Roadhouse chili
• Taco Bell nacho cheese
• Taco Bell quesadilla sauce
• KFC Twister wrap

If you made this chicken apple pecan salad, let me know in the comments below.