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Chicken Salad with Grapes

As seen in: Soulful Bites from the American South

Combining cooked chicken breast, juicy grapes, and crisp celery, this dish is finished with a creamy lemon-mustard dressing and optional toasted pecans or walnuts for added crunch. Quick to prepare and versatile, it works well as a filling for sandwiches or wraps, or served atop leafy greens for a lighter touch. The balance of flavors—sweet grapes, fresh celery, tangy dressing, and savory chicken—makes each bite satisfying. For a healthier option, use all Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise. Store chilled and consume within two days for the freshest taste.

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Created By Mia
Last modified on Thu, 03 Jul 2025 10:34:04 GMT
A close up of a chicken salad with grapes. Save This
A close up of a chicken salad with grapes. | yummywithmia.com

This creamy chicken salad with grapes comes together in just minutes and is a lifesaver when you want something satisfying but light. Tender chicken, juicy grapes, and crunchy celery meet in a tangy dressing that makes this ideal for quick lunches or easy entertaining.

I made this on a picnic day with my kids and watching them pick out grapes one by one before mixing everything together was almost as fun as the meal. It is now my favorite lunch to make before heading to the park.

Ingredients

  • Cooked chicken breast: juicy and versatile. Use leftover or rotisserie chicken for best flavor and texture
  • Red seedless grapes: choose firm ones for sweetness and color and halve them for easy bites
  • Celery: fresh and crunchy. Dice finely to distribute its crunch in every bite
  • Red onion: optional for a subtle bite. Make sure it is chopped small for balance
  • Toasted pecans or walnuts: Adds nutty crunch. Gently toast to bring out deeper flavor or try raw for a lighter taste
  • Mayonnaise: creamy base that ties everything together. Use a good quality mayo for richness
  • Greek yogurt or sour cream: adds a tangy zing. Choose Greek yogurt for extra protein and lighter calories
  • Dijon mustard: a little bit gives pleasant sharpness to the dressing. Use the freshest you have
  • Lemon juice: brightens the salad and balances the richness. Fresh squeezed is best for flavor
  • Salt: rounds out all the flavors. Adjust to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper: not too much but enough to give gentle warmth

Step-by-Step Instructions

Chop Ingredients:
Dice or shred the cooked chicken into bite size pieces for perfect forkfuls then halve the grapes, finely chop celery, red onion and nuts. Keep everything as evenly sized as possible for a balanced salad
Mix the Dressing:
Whisk mayonnaise, Greek yogurt (if using), Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth. Aim for a creamy but slightly pourable texture
Combine Salad:
In a large bowl, add the chicken, grapes, celery, red onion, and nuts (if using). Drizzle the dressing over the top and gently toss using a large spoon or spatula until everything is evenly coated. Take care not to crush the grapes
Season to Taste:
Taste for salt and pepper, then adjust if needed. Some prefer their salad extra tangy, so add lemon juice or mustard if you like
Chill and Serve:
Cover and refrigerate for at least thirty minutes so flavors meld. Serve cold on bread, croissants, lettuce wraps, or over fresh mixed greens
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A spoon is scooping food from a bowl. | yummywithmia.com

My favorite ingredient in this salad is the crisp grapes. When they burst with each bite, they remind me of summer potlucks with my grandmother. She always added extra grapes for her grandkids who loved picking them out. I like to do the same.

Storage Tips

Keep the chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. The grapes release more juice over time, so give the salad a gentle toss before serving. If you plan ahead, mix in the nuts just before eating so they stay crunchy.

Ingredient Substitutions

For a lighter salad, swap all the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt or go half and half. Try roasted almonds instead of pecans or walnuts for a slightly different crunch. If you skip nuts, try adding chopped apple for extra texture. You can also use leftover turkey breast.

Serving Suggestions

This chicken salad is so versatile. I love it piled onto toasted bread or tucked into a buttery croissant. For lighter options, spoon over crunchy romaine leaves or serve in endive cups. At parties, I fill mini phyllo cups for easy appetizers.

Recipe History

Chicken salad as we know it became popular in American lunch counters in the early twentieth century. The classic pairing of grapes or fruit was inspired by Waldorf salad and remains a favorite for its sweet and savory character.

A bowl of chicken salad with grapes and pecans. Save This
A bowl of chicken salad with grapes and pecans. | yummywithmia.com

Common Questions

→ Can I use rotisserie chicken for this dish?

Yes, rotisserie chicken is convenient and adds flavor. Simply shred or chop the meat before mixing.

→ How do I make this gluten-free?

This chicken salad is naturally gluten-free. Double-check your mayonnaise and mustard to ensure they're safe.

→ What can I substitute for mayonnaise?

Greek yogurt or sour cream can replace all or part of the mayonnaise for a lighter, tangier result.

→ How do I store leftovers?

Keep the salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days for best quality and flavor.

→ Are nuts necessary in this dish?

No, nuts are optional. Feel free to omit or substitute with seeds for a nut-free variation.

→ Which herbs work well for extra flavor?

Chopped fresh parsley or tarragon add fresh notes and depth to the finished salad.

Chicken Salad Grapes Celery

Tender chicken, crisp celery, sweet grapes, and a creamy dressing for sandwiches, wraps, or salads.

Preparation Time
20 Minutes Required
Cooking Time
~
Overall Time
20 Minutes Required
Created By: Mia

Recipe Type: Southern Comfort Food

Skill Level: Beginner-Friendly

Recipe Origin: American

Output: 4 Portions

Diet Preferences: For Vegetarians, Without Gluten

What You Need

→ Main

01 2 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped or shredded
02 1 cup red seedless grapes, halved
03 2 stalks celery, finely diced
04 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
05 1/4 cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts

→ Dressing

06 1/2 cup mayonnaise
07 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt or sour cream
08 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 1 teaspoon lemon juice
10 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

How to Make It

Step 01

In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, grapes, celery, red onion, and nuts (if using).

Step 02

In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt (if using), Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.

Step 03

Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.

Step 04

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 05

Serve chilled, on sandwich bread, croissants, in lettuce wraps, or over a bed of greens.

Helpful Tips

  1. For a lighter version, use all Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise.
  2. Add chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or tarragon for more flavor.
  3. Swap pecans or walnuts for almonds if preferred, or omit nuts for a nut-free version.
  4. Best enjoyed within 2 days; store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

What You'll Need

  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Cutting board
  • Chef's knife
  • Spoon or spatula

Allergy Details

Review ingredients for allergens and reach out to a healthcare expert with concerns.
  • Eggs (mayonnaise)
  • Tree nuts (if using nuts)
  • Dairy (if using Greek yogurt or sour cream)

Per-Serving Nutrition Info

Please view this nutritional data as an estimate and not a replacement for professional guidance.
  • Calories: 285
  • Fat Content: 18 g
  • Carbohydrates: 9 g
  • Protein Content: 21 g