This creamy chicken salad with grapes and pecans is easy to throw together in advance and makes a delicious lunch or potluck dish. Enjoy the fresh flavor of this homemade chicken salad in less than ten minutes, using a handful of simple ingredients.
Chicken salad is a creamy mixture of tender shredded (or cubed) chicken, chopped vegetables such as celery and onion, bright seasonings, and herbs. This great recipe takes the classic dish one step further with a burst of sweet grapes and crunchy nuts.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Chicken breasts - You can use a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, or this delicious chicken salad recipe is a great way to use up leftover chicken. Avoid canned chicken if at all possible.
- Mayonnaise - To create a healthier chicken salad, plain Greek yogurt is a great substitution.
- Celery - Crunchy celery stalks and chopped celery leaves can be used.
- Yellow onion - A sweet onion is a great substitute. Use a red onion for a stronger flavor.
- Fresh parsley - Other fresh herbs, like fresh dill, can be substituted. Green onions are a great addition too.
- Poppyseeds
- Dijon mustard
- Lemon juice
- Salt
- Fresh ground black pepper
- Fresh grapes - I think red seedless grapes are best for this recipe, but green grapes can also be used.
- Roughly chopped pecans - Other nuts, like walnuts, can be substituted.
How to make it
The best way to make this grape pecan chicken salad recipe is to use shredded rotisserie chicken. It is pre-cooked, easy to shred, yields the perfect amount of meat, plus it is exceptionally flavorful.
For best results, I recommend combining all of the ingredients first in a large mixing bowl without the chicken, then add the chicken shreds last. The reason for doing this is because chicken tends to break apart into smaller shreds the more it is mixed.
The finer the chicken shreds become, the most mayo will be needed to make the chicken salad creamy (more surface area needs more mayo to cover). You can always add more mayo to add creaminess, but it is best with hearty chunks of chicken.
Since the grapes are larger, I find the ideal ratio is using twice as many grapes by volume, as pecans. However, you can certainly adjust the amounts to fit your own tastes.
How to serve it
The flavor will always be best when you allow the chicken salad to sit in the refrigerator overnight. However, there is no shame in enjoying it right away either. If you are serving this at a potluck where it will be sitting out at room temperature for many hours, I recommend serving it in a chilled serving bowl to keep food poisoning at bay.
The chicken salad can be enjoyed with a fork, otherwise, it makes exceptionally flavorful chicken salad sandwiches when paired with artisan bread, whole wheat bread, or buttery croissants. For a low carb alternative, serve the chicken salad in lettuce wraps.
Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked and cooled shredded chicken breast (or use 1 rotisserie chicken)
- ½ cup mayo
- 1 rib celery (chopped)
- ½ medium yellow onion (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon poppyseeds
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 1 cup chopped seedless red grapes
- ½ cup roughly chopped pecans
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients except the chicken in a large bowl until combined.
- Add chicken and mix to incorporate.
- Set in the fridge overnight, or serve immediately. The flavor is best when it is allowed to sit.
- Serve on bread for a sandwich, or in a bowl to be enjoyed by itself.
Notes
Nutritional Information
This recipe was originally published here on April 11, 2018.
Stephanie T Bengtsson
This was perfect on a croissant with lettuce - will definitely make this again.
Carola
My favorite chicken salad recipe❤️
Janice
Sounds great! I plan to serve it at a baby shower. I have loved your other recipes I have tried.
Marianne
I love this chicken salad. I made it exactly as written. But it takes a lot longer than 10 minutes to prepare. I will definitely make it again.
Millican Pecan
What a great recipe! Pecans are so flavorful, and I look for recipes that add to their flavor. I will try this, because it looks like something I can do...I'm one of those cooks that..if it's not easy or straight forward, I won't even try. Thank you! I looks yummy!
Kendra
This was great on a croissant! Thanks for the idea
Albert Bevia
This chicken salad sounds so good, specially with those grapes and pecans, I love how you served it on a croissant! I hope the weather get´s warmer for you soon, cheers!
Maye
Have not put this together yet but perfect for recipe I was looking for. Thanks!