There’s something undeniably comforting about recreating a restaurant favorite at home, and when it comes to salads, Wendy’s Apple Pecan Salad has always been one of my cravings. In this article, I’ll walk you through how I made a spot-on Wendy’s pecan apple salad copycat recipe — bursting with sweet apples, juicy chicken, candied pecans, and creamy blue cheese. We’ll cover what makes this salad so iconic, how to tweak it for different diets, and the best ways to enjoy and store it. I have what you’re looking for, whether it’s taste, nourishment, or memories.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why I Had to Recreate This Salad at Home
Hi there, I’m Emily Frost — the mom, cook, and flavor-chaser behind Frosty Recipes. Dinner must be quick when you have two children, but it must also be interesting. Wendy’s Apple Pecan Salad was perfect the first time I tasted it—it was crunchy, sweet, sour, and salty. But running out to grab one every time the craving hit? Not sustainable. So I rolled up my sleeves and recreated this wendy’s pecan apple salad copycat at home. Honestly, it became a weeknight staple.
The kids love it because it’s colorful and tastes like a treat; I love it because it’s balanced and ready in 15 minutes. The homemade version even inspired me to come up with twists like this equally refreshing peach basil chicken salad and my reader-favorite air fryer chicken salad.
Recreating this copycat taught me that restaurant-quality salads don’t require fancy ingredients. It’s all about layering textures — crisp apples, glazed pecans, tender grilled chicken — and getting that tangy pomegranate vinaigrette just right. If you’re searching for a family-friendly salad that tastes just like the one from Wendy’s, you’re in the right place. This copycat is as close as it gets, and I can’t wait to share every flavorful detail with you.
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Wendy’s Pecan Apple Salad Copycat – Fresh, Crunchy & Family-Approved
This Wendy’s pecan apple salad copycat is crisp, fresh, and packed with grilled chicken, apples, cranberries, pecans, and creamy blue cheese — all tossed with a tangy homemade vinaigrette.
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 large servings 1x
Ingredients
Grilled chicken breast, sliced
Spring mix or romaine lettuce
1 red apple (Gala or Fuji), thinly sliced
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup candied pecans
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
For the vinaigrette:
1/4 cup pomegranate juice
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
1/3 cup olive oil
Pinch of salt
Instructions
1. Season and grill chicken breasts; slice when cooled.
2. Wash and dry lettuce mix; place in a large bowl.
3. Add sliced apples, cranberries, and candied pecans.
4. Sprinkle with blue cheese and top with sliced chicken.
5. Whisk all vinaigrette ingredients until smooth.
6. Drizzle salad with vinaigrette just before serving.
Notes
Toss apples in lemon juice if prepping ahead to avoid browning.
Store components separately for best freshness.
Substitute blue cheese with goat cheese or feta for a milder flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Method: Assembled
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 large bowl
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Making the Wendy’s Pecan Apple Salad Copycat
Let’s get right into building the perfect Wendy’s pecan apple salad copycat at home. This salad works because it balances sweet, savory, and crunchy with just a touch of tang. Below, I’ll break down each component so you know exactly what you need and how to bring it together.
Ingredients You’ll Need for a Perfect Copycat Version
To mirror that familiar Wendy’s flavor, gather the following:
- Grilled Chicken Breast: Lightly seasoned and sliced, just like Wendy’s. I recommend using leftovers or making a fresh batch of grilled chicken like this to save time.
- Spring Mix or Romaine Lettuce: A fresh, crisp base. Wendy’s uses a spring mix with baby greens.
- Fresh Apples: Red (like Fuji or Gala) for sweetness and crunch. Slice thin so every bite pops.
- Dried Cranberries: Their chewy texture and tartness are a must.
- Candied Pecans: Toasted with a bit of brown sugar — this adds that signature sweet crunch.
- Crumbled Blue Cheese: Adds a creamy tang. If you’re not into blue cheese, goat cheese or feta works, too.
- Pomegranate Vinaigrette: Wendy’s uses Marzetti’s, but I’ve got a homemade version coming in the recipe card.
If you want to prep ahead, make a big batch of the candied pecans and store them in a jar. They’re perfect for this salad — and even better tossed into my buffalo ranch chicken salad.
Tips to Get the Chicken, Pecans, and Dressing Just Right
- Grill the chicken fresh or reheat pre-cooked slices for that juicy tenderness.
- Slice apples right before serving to prevent browning. Toss in lemon juice if prepping ahead.
- Don’t skip the nuts. Candied pecans add the magic. Roast them at 350°F with maple syrup and a pinch of salt for 10 minutes.
- Homemade dressing tip: A mix of pomegranate juice, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, and Dijon mustard nails the Wendy’s vibe.
Healthy, Customizable, and Totally Satisfying
The Wendy’s pecan apple salad copycat isn’t just about great taste — it’s also a surprisingly balanced choice. Whether you’re watching calories or adjusting for dietary preferences, this recipe is flexible enough to work for nearly everyone.
Is Wendy’s Pecan Apple Salad Healthy? What You Should Know
The original clocks in at around 550 calories with dressing, mostly from the chicken, pecans, and vinaigrette. It offers about 40g of protein, 5g of fiber, and a dose of healthy fats from the nuts. That’s why it’s often considered one of the healthier fast-food salad options — especially when compared to heavier menu items.
This copycat version allows you to fine-tune everything. Want to cut down on sugar or carbs? Reduce the cranberries or use unsweetened ones. Making it for a kid’s lunch? Swap the blue cheese with shredded cheddar for a milder taste.
You can even double up on fresh fruit by adding sliced strawberries — just like I do in my apple cranberry chicken salad — to boost flavor and nutrients.
Easy Substitutions for Special Diets (Low-Carb, Vegan, etc.)
- Low-Carb/Keto: Swap the apple for cucumber or avocado. Use roasted pecans without sugar. Skip the dried cranberries.
- Dairy-Free: Omit the cheese or sub with a dairy-free crumble. The rest is naturally dairy-free!
- Vegan: Use chickpeas or grilled tofu instead of chicken. You can use maple syrup in the candied pecans and opt for a vegan vinaigrette.
- Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free — just ensure your dressing ingredients and add-ins are certified GF.
With just a few tweaks, you’ve got a salad that suits your goals — and it’s still incredibly satisfying. I’ve even paired it with this easy peach salad for summer lunches that feel gourmet.
FAQ Section: Wendy’s Pecan Apple Salad Copycat
What is on a Wendy’s Apple Pecan Salad?
The original Wendy’s Apple Pecan Salad includes a bed of spring mix greens, grilled chicken breast strips, red and green apple chunks, dried cranberries, candied pecans, crumbled blue cheese, and a pomegranate vinaigrette. This copycat version mirrors every layer with fresh, easy-to-find ingredients and a homemade dressing that comes close to the Marzetti original.
Is Wendy’s Apple Pecan Salad keto friendly?
Not quite. The apples, dried cranberries, and candied pecans push the carb count too high for strict keto diets. However, with a few substitutions — like swapping apples for cucumber, skipping the cranberries, and using plain roasted pecans — you can enjoy a low-carb version that still packs the same crunch and flavor.
What is the healthiest salad at Wendy’s?
The Apple Pecan Salad is one of Wendy’s healthiest options thanks to its high protein content (about 40g per serving) and the mix of fruit, greens, and nuts. Still, it contains natural sugars from fruit and added sugar from the dressing and pecans. If you’re aiming for the lowest-calorie pick, consider ordering it without the dressing or cheese — or make your own using this recipe with controlled portions.
Is the Apple Pecan Salad at Wendy’s vegan?
No, the original version isn’t vegan due to the grilled chicken and blue cheese. However, you can make this Wendy’s pecan apple salad copycat vegan-friendly by removing the animal-based ingredients and using substitutes like grilled tofu, plant-based cheese crumbles, and maple-candied pecans. The vinaigrette can also be made vegan by using maple syrup instead of honey.
Conclusion
There you have it — a Wendy’s pecan apple salad copycat that delivers everything you love from the original, plus the flexibility to tweak it to your taste or dietary needs. Whether you’re serving it for a weeknight dinner or prepping ahead for lunches, this salad never disappoints. It’s crisp, savory, sweet, and completely satisfying—exactly how I like to prepare meals for my family.
Thanks for coming by my kitchen at Frosty Recipes. Don’t forget to try our other favorites, such as the sweet and tangy easy peach salad or our peach basil chicken salad. peach basil chicken salad or the sweet and tart easy peach salad. Every recipe here is tested, family-approved, and full of flavor.
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