Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans

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My classic chicken salad with grapes is sure to be your new spring and summer favorite recipe. The red seedless grapes add a touch of fresh sweetness, while the creamy dressing and the tender pieces of chicken pull together the rest of the cold salad recipe.

Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“THIS is the kind of chicken salad I dream about when I am craving it, and oh my goodness, does it hit the spot. The combination of all the ingredients (and the nuts and grapes!) is just perfect on a sandwich. Going to add this to my weekly prep menu because I love this stuff for lunch!”
— Erin

Chicken salad on a croissant on a plate with chips.

I think chicken salad may just be one of my favorite lunch recipes. Whenever someone says it’s bland and boring, I always reply, “Not my Chicken Salad with grapes and pecans!” It is filled with fresh flavor, crunchy veggies, nutty pecans, and fruity grapes. Plus, my secret ingredient that leaves you wondering what made this taste so good!

It’s one of those salads I love to meal prep for my family on a Sunday for us to enjoy all throughout the week in a sandwich, on top of a salad, or just scooped onto crackers. With 5 simple ingredients, it rivals any local market’s chicken salad, and it’s perfect to customize with your favorite ingredients, too.

If you love a chilled salad, be sure to also try my Classic Egg Salad or Pasta Salad, they’re both light and fresh, plus total crowdpleasers for any occasion.

Why you’ll love this Recipe

Nikki in the kitchen with key lime tarts on the counter.

I can’t wait for you to try my chicken salad recipe. It’s one of the most popular lunch recipes in our house and with my readers. Every bite is creamy, fresh, and bursting with fruity flavors!

❥ Rotisserie Chicken makes it super simple. Chicken that is pre-cooked right from the grocery store makes everything so much easier. And I love the juicy flavor.

❥Versatile for brunch, lunch, a snack, or dinner. Serve this salad in so many ways. It’s beautiful on the plate or in a fresh croissant. It’s a cafe or deli-style chicken salad that feels like such a treat.

❥Perfect on-the-go meal. You can easily transport this salad in your work lunch, to a friend’s house, or a family picnic. Just store it in an airtight container and toss it in the cooler!

Nikki

Ingredients

Cooked Chicken: Rotisserie chicken works well here. You can also use leftover chicken or boil a big batch and shred it.
Celery: Celery adds color and a delightful crunch.
Pecans: Enhance the dish with a nutty flavor.
Seedless Grapes: I like red grapes for this simple recipe.
Mayonnaise: Pull it all together with this creamy goodness!
Ranch Seasoning: This is my secret weapon to pack a punch of flavor. It’s not overpowering, but wow, the flavor. I am pretty sure Chicken Salad Chick may use this in some of theirs, too.
Salt and Pepper: Season to taste. (If you count these, that’s 8 ingredients)

How To Make Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans

✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!

Step 1 | Prep Ingredients

Gather the simple ingredients, wash the fruit and veggies, chop, and get ready to assemble this easy meal. Then, place all the fresh ingredients on the cutting board into a large bowl and stir.

*Pro-tip: If you have a bit more time, roasting the pecans is a great way to add extra flavor! Just chop the nuts, and toast them in the oven while you pull or shred the tender chicken.

Step 2 | Stir All Together

Chicken salad ingredients added to a glass bowl.

Now you can add in the mayonnaise and the seasonings. Give it a good mix until all ingredients are covered in the creamy mayo.

Then give it the taste test to be sure you add the right amount of salt and pepper. Remember, a little salt goes a long way!

Chicken salad with grapes and pecans in a white bowl set on a board with crackers.

Expert Tips

Make it your own: Add other herbs, swap the nuts, use different fruit…the options are endless!
Perfect for meal prepping. I like to make a double or triple batch, especially since I know my family will be eating plenty of this chicken salad throughout the week, too.
Use leftover roasted chicken or make your own. If you don’t want to use rotisserie chicken, then making roasted chicken breast is super simple and easy too!
A hand mixer or stand mixer easily shreds the chicken. If you want to cut down on time, just pull out your mixer and run it on medium-low speed. The chicken will be shredded in 30 seconds!

Substitutions and Variations:

Chicken Salad Chick Fancy Nancy – Copycat: Add in about ¾ cup of diced apples. You may also want to pulse the chicken a couple of times in a food processor to get the same texture as theirs. I usually leave my a little larger.
Lighten it up! Use plain Greek yogurt or sour cream instead of mayo and serve over lettuce. This will change the overall taste, though.
Try different ways to garnish. Add fresh herbs, roasted pecans, a sprinkle of paprika, a spoonful of brown sugar, and more. You can even make it a curried chicken salad by adding curry powder to taste.
Swap the nuts. You can try walnuts or almonds. Cashews are nice too.
Add some tang or spice. I sometimes like to add a teaspoon or two of Dijon, spicy ground mustard, or even cayenne for a hint of heat.
Add more veggies like chopped broccoli tops, green onions, red onions, and more.

A chicken salad sandwich on toasted white bread stacked with a garnish toothpick with grapes on top.

Ways to Serve Chicken Salad and Grapes

Honestly, this is the hardest step of all. There are so many great ways to enjoy this classic chicken salad with grapes recipe.

Try it on a croissant or on whole-grain bread for the best chicken salad sandwich.
Scoop the salad onto a bed of lettuce and add grapes and nuts on top to garnish- maybe even a sprig of parsley or fresh dill.
Take a small bowl and make lettuce cups with a hearty ice cream scoop of the salad– then squeeze a touch of lemon juice over the top for extra flavor!
Or try making the hearty salad into fresh lettuce wraps to go.

That is the great thing about this classic recipe. You can try one way today and another tomorrow. Figure out your own great way to serve this healthy chicken salad recipe!

A scoop of southern chicken salad on a bed of lettuce with sliced tomatoes.

FAQs

How can I incorporate chicken salad into my healthy eating plan?

Try a half-and-half mixture of mayo and plain Greek yogurt, or go full yogurt. This simple recipe change cuts calories and is good for you. It makes the salad lighter and offers a little tang from the yogurt.

Can I set this chicken salad out on the picnic table for the day at a family gathering?

Keep it chilled! You never want mayo to sit at room temperature or in the heat of the day for long. Only pull the chicken salad out of the fridge or cooler when ready to serve.

Can I make my own chicken?

Sure, you can. Just cook the chicken in your slow cooker with chicken broth the day before, or boil, shred, and chill in the morning. You can also simmer the chicken in some stock on the stovetop for about 20 minutes or until cooked through. Add in any extra spices or seasonings you love for added flavor.

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