• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Soulfully Made logo

  • RECIPE INDEX
  • Holiday
  • ABOUT
  • SUBSCRIBE
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Box
  • Holiday
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Box
    • Holiday
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Soulfully Made » Salads » Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans

    Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans

    Nikki Lee Published:May 12, 2022 | Updated: May 12, 2022

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    Recipe Save Saved!
    Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans recipe on a bed of lettuce with a bun and tomatoes
    Best Chicken Salad Image of a plate with a chicken salad croissant
    Image four of Best Chicken Salad Image of a plate with a chicken salad croissant
    Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans on a bed of lettuce with a bun and tomatoes

    Easy Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans is a creamy chicken salad recipe using cooked chicken and fresh ingredients. But the real treat is the taste! This southern chicken salad recipe is fresh, delicious, and so satisfying- it really is the best chicken salad with grapes I have ever made.

    Try it as a chicken salad sandwich with a side of salty potato chips. Or use an ice cream scoop and pile the creamy goodness on a bed of lettuce with a hearty scoop of Greek Potato Salad. Then add a glass of Strawberry Sunset Lemon Drop with or without the vodka, and you have a refreshing, light afternoon meal!

    A bright blue bowl filled with chicken salad with grapes, pecans, celery tossed in mayo.

    My classic chicken salad 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.

    Why you’ll love this recipe!

    • Rotisserie Chicken- Chicken that is pre-cooked right from the grocery store makes everything so much easier. And I love the juicy flavor.
    • A Pretty Salad- Yes, this salad is beautiful on the plate or in a fresh croissant. Serve it to your friends for lunch and they will think you are serving them a real treat.
    • Take it With You- You can easily transport this salad to a Bible study meeting, a friend's house, or a family picnic. Just store it in an air-tight container and toss it in the cooler!
    • So Easy- This chicken salad has 5 basic ingredients and whips up in no time!

    One of the benefits of food being my career, is I get to try it over and over until a recipe is just how my family and I like it. This means my recipes are tried and true!

    So while some may think chicken salad is bland or average, this easy chicken salad recipe packs bursts of fresh flavor, crunches of veggies, the nutty flavor of pecans, and all that creamy chicken.

    Summertime is the best time for homemade chicken salad or chicken salad sandwiches. Classic Egg Salad is another spring and summer go-to recipe. Oh, and a Pasta Salad is another springtime recipe that is light, fresh, and has great flavor.

    There is just something about a cold salad on a hot day that is clearly the best way to put a pep in your step. And you can make it ahead and enjoy the delicious recipe all week.

    Ingredient Notes

    • 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!
    • Salt and Pepper: season to taste.
    Chicken salad ingredients on a wooden tray labeled with text.

    How to Make Chicken Salad with Grapes

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

    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!

    Three image collage showing chicken salad ingredients added to bowl, then adding mayo and spices, and then all ingredients mixed together.

    Step 3 | How Will You Serve It?

    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!

    Chicken salad in a blue bowl with servings having been scooped out with a silver spoon.

    Tips

    • Make it your own: Be creative with the way you present the salad. garnish top and serve with your own flair.
    • The next day: Make extra chicken for dinner so you can easily whip up this simple recipe the next day!
    • For sandwiches: If you know you will be making it into a sandwich, chop all the ingredients a little smaller so they stay with the bread a bit better!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Here are the most commonly asked questions about this recipe. If you don't find the answer to yours leave a comment below, I'll get back to you with an answer.

    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.

    A scoop of chicken salad over a bed of lettuce served on a plate with sliced tomatoes and a slice of grain bread.

    Substitutions and Variations:

    • Cutting Calories? Use plain Greek yogurt or sour cream instead of mayo and serve over lettuce.
    • Try different ways to garnish. Add fresh herbs, roasted pecans, a sprinkle of paprika, a spoon of brown sugar, and more. You can even make it a curried chicken salad by adding curry powder to taste.
    • No pecans? You can try walnuts or almonds. Cashews are nice too.
    • A great way to add a spicy twist is with some dijon mustard or spicy ground mustard.
    • Change up this easy recipe by adding more veggies like chopped broccoli tops, green onions, red onions, and more.
    • Copy Cat Chicken Salad Chick Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad: Add in ½ cup diced apples and 1 ½ teaspoon of ranch dressing powder.

    Storage Tips

    Storage:

    Cover with foil or plastic wrap or place in an air-tight container and store in the refrigerator for 3 days.

    Freeze:

    For this recipe, you can freeze the chicken to thaw on the day you want to make the salad, but I do not recommend freezing the entire salad as it can get mushy.

    Chicken salad on a croissant plated with chips and lettuce and tomato.

    Related Recipes

    • Shrimp Salad Sandwich
    • Creamy Grape Salad Recipe
    • Berry Cheesecake Salad Recipe
    • Blue Cheese Cole Slaw Recipe

    Hungry for more easy, home-cooked, delicious recipes?

    Sign up for my free recipe club to get family-friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing daily meal-time inspiration on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

    A scoop of the best chicken salad with grapes and pecans on a bed of lettuce.

    Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans

    Author: Nikki Lee
    5 from 16 votes
    Easy Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans is a creamy chicken salad recipe using cooked chicken and fresh ingredients. But the real treat is the taste!
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Save Saved! Pin Recipe Rate
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Main Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 317 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
    • ½ cup celery, diced
    • ½ cup pecans, chopped
    • 1 cup seedless grapes, halved
    • ¾ to 1 cup mayo
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • salt, to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Add chopped chicken to a large bowl along with celery, grapes, chopped pecans, mayonnaise, salt and pepper. Stir together until just combined.
    • Serve over a bed of lettuce or on bread or a croissant for a chicken salad sandwich.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 serving Calories: 317 kcal Carbohydrates: 5 g Protein: 18 g Fat: 25 g Saturated Fat: 4 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 12 g Monounsaturated Fat: 8 g Trans Fat: 1 g Cholesterol: 61 mg Sodium: 191 mg Potassium: 244 mg Fiber: 1 g Sugar: 3 g Vitamin A: 87 IU Vitamin C: 1 mg Calcium: 19 mg Iron: 1 mg

    Nutrition Disclaimer

    Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    « Easy Baked Ziti Recipe
    Beef Tips and Gravy »
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      RATE THIS RECIPE




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Mary says

      October 12, 2022 at 1:23 pm

      I added pineapple chunks (drained) and shredded coconut. Really good. My grown son hides it when he can.

      Reply
      • Nikki Lee says

        October 12, 2022 at 1:54 pm

        What delicious additions, Mary! That is hilarious and so smart of him-lol! Thanks, for dropping by and sharing. I sure appreciate you!

        Reply
    2. Nor says

      October 09, 2022 at 9:38 pm

      5 stars
      Yummy!!!!!!! I don’t like celery so I replaced it with green pepper and this is my new favorite lunch!

      Reply
      • Nikki Lee says

        October 11, 2022 at 2:02 pm

        So glad you enjoyed it! That's the beauty of making it at home you can replace items you don't love.

        Reply
    3. Erin says

      May 19, 2022 at 11:46 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    4. Michaela Kenkel says

      May 18, 2022 at 9:57 pm

      5 stars
      I love chicken salad and this one is my favorite!! Thank you for another great recipe!!

      Reply
    5. Susannah says

      May 17, 2022 at 4:11 pm

      5 stars
      This is my favorite way to make chicken salad!

      Reply
    6. Tristin says

      May 17, 2022 at 10:04 am

      5 stars
      Yum! The grapes and pecans add the perfect texture to this chicken salad, made a great lunch.

      Reply
    7. Debi says

      May 17, 2022 at 9:10 am

      5 stars
      This is always a favorite at potlucks and parties like bridal showers. I make it all the time.

      Reply
    8. Julie says

      May 16, 2022 at 9:50 pm

      5 stars
      This turned an ordinary lunch into a decadent treat. I just loved all the flavors and textures.

      Reply
    9. Sandra Shaffer says

      May 16, 2022 at 3:17 pm

      5 stars
      The crunchy texture from the pecans and celery are perfect with the sweet juicy grapes. Served this over a bed of lettuce just for myself with leftovers for lunch. Great meal prep dish!!

      Reply
    10. MS says

      May 16, 2022 at 1:44 pm

      5 stars
      So delicious! The grapes give it a nice touch of sweetness. I will be making this again and again this summer!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome Y'all!

    Hi, I am Nikki. Faith, family, and food are my passions! I'm a Southern cook from Florida who loves sharing food and creating memories around the table with my family and friends. Welcome to my Kitchen, where you will find delicious, home-cooked, easy recipes!

    About Nikki

    Summer Recipes

    • An arugula salad with watermelon and feta.
      Watermelon Arugula and Feta Salad
    • Burger stuffed with bacon and cheddar on a bun with lettuce, tomato, and onion.
      Stuffed Bacon Cheddar Cheeseburger
    • A Burrata Caprese Salad garnished with basil and drizzled with balsamic glaze.
      Burrata Caprese Salad Recipe
    • No Bake Fireworks Oreo Cheesecake Bars
      No Bake Fireworks Oreo Cheesecake Bars
    • A bowl of strawberry spinach salad with lemon vinaigrette in a white bowl set on a wooden tray.
      Strawberry Spinach Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
    • A slice of the best key lime pie on a white plate topped with whipped cream and lime zest
      Best Key Lime Pie Recipe

    Trending Recipes

    • Scoops of nutty buddy ice cream in a glass dessert cup garnished with a nutty buddy.
      Nutty Buddy Ice Cream (No-Churn)
    • A slice of a butter swim biscuit on a white plate with the pan of biscuits in the background.
      Butter Swim Biscuits Recipe
    • Berry Fruit Salad tossed in a honey lime dressing in a rustic bowl with some of the berries being scooped out with a wooden spoon.
      Berry Fruit Salad Recipe
    • S'mores Ice cream in a white dish with some of the ice cream in a waffle cone in the background.
      S'mores Ice Cream Recipe (No-Churn)
    • A white plate stacked with sliced s'mores brownies.
      S'mores Brownies (Easy Recipe)
    • A pizza sloppy joe with melted mozzarella on a toasted sesame seed bun plated with pickles and chips.
      Pizza Sloppy Joes
    Browse All Recipes

    As seen on

    soulfully made as seen on brands

    Footer

    ⇧ Back to Top

    About

    Meet Nikki ・ Privacy Policy ・Contact ・Collaborate Accessibility Statement

    Connect

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Mail
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    Subscribe

    Subscribe for Newsletter & Updates

    Soulfully Made is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you.

    Copyright © 2023 Soulfully Made