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.

Wendy’s Pecan Apple Salad Copycat

Ingredients

Scale

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

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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.

Author: EmilyFrost
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