Description
A classic and delicious chicken salad recipe featuring shredded cooked chicken combined with sweet grapes, crunchy celery, red onion, and nuts, all tossed in a creamy lemon-mayo dressing. Perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or served over greens.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked chicken (about 2 lbs.), shredded (rotisserie recommended)
- 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved
- 4 celery hearts, finely diced
- 1/2 medium red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt or sour cream (or a combination)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise and lemon juice with coarse sea salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, optionally adding flavorful extras.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, add shredded chicken, halved grapes, finely diced celery, diced red onion, and chopped nuts.
- Mix with dressing: Pour the mayonnaise mixture over the chicken mixture and stir well to fully combine. Taste again and adjust seasoning to preferences.
- Chill: Cover and chill the salad for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve: Serve chilled with croissants, bread, bagels, wraps, crackers, lettuce wraps, or over a bed of greens.
Notes
- Add fresh herbs like parsley, dill, chives, tarragon, or green onions for extra flavor.
- Substitute pecans with toasted sliced almonds or walnuts for different nutty notes.
- Try adding more fruits such as chopped apples, dried cranberries, or craisins instead of or alongside grapes.
- Use Greek yogurt, sour cream, or a combination with mayonnaise for a lighter or tangier dressing.
- Add sweet pickle relish, chopped cooked eggs, or poppy seeds for more flavor complexity.
- Incorporate Dijon mustard or honey mustard to add a tangy bite.
- Sprinkle red pepper flakes for a hint of heat.
