The Best Chicken Salad
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By Alyssa Rivers
on Jun 02, 2021, Updated Jan 09, 2024 |
This is the Best Chicken Salad EVER! It’s packed with flavor and some crunch and is the perfect sandwich for any occasion!
I love a great sandwich, especially when it’s more than just turkey and cheese. You have to try these other tried and true sandwiches, Egg Salad, Grilled Cheese, and French Dip, definitely something special!
The Best Chicken Salad Recipe
This Chicken Salad is truly divine. At first glance you might balk at the grapes, but trust me, they make the salad exquisite. The sweet crunch of the grapes combines beautifully with the chicken and richness of the mayo. The celery and pecans create nice crunch to the chicken salad that elevates it to the next level.
I love using this for picnics and special lunches. It is so easy to make but it is so fancy at the same time. Chicken Salad comes together in a flash so you can have this on the table in no time. And you will love how it is so versatile as well, serve it as a wrap, on a croissant, on some rye bread, or in a lettuce bowl. However you serve it, just make it! You are going to love it, it is so divine!
Ingredients
Simple and fresh, this chicken salad will come together quickly. Cook your chicken ahead of time or purchase an already cooked chicken to save on time. This chicken salad will become a favorite to make! The total amounts of ingredients is located in the recipe card.
- Cooked Chicken: chopped or shredded chicken is best.
- Grapes: I used red grapes, they are a bit sweeter than green. Slice in half or cut into cubes.
- Pecans: You can purchase chopped pecans for this salad.
- Green onions: I like to finely chop the green onions for a bit of a kick in each bite.
- Celery: Finely diced using a knife or a shredder.
- Mayonnaise: Do not use salad dressing, it will alter the taste.
- Juice from 1/2 lemon: Yes, you can use bottled.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds the perfect amount of zippy flavor to this chicken salad.
- Salt and pepper: Add to taste!
Tips and Variations
Crunchy, savory, sweet, and a bit creamy, this chicken salad is the perfect dish.
- Chicken: Use any type of chicken you have on hand. You can use rotisserie, leftover BBQ, roasted, or even broiled chicken. Whatever you use, chop it up or shred it so it is easy to spread, spoon, and eat.
- Grapes: You can use red or green grapes or a combination of both. Green grapes can be a bit tart sometimes and the red grapes add color.
- Nuts: Pecans are a classic but you can substitute them for walnuts, almonds, or cashews. Roast them for a bit of extra flavor.
- Mayonnaise: If you are not a fan of mayo, you can use sour cream or non-fat Greek yogurt.
- Different Fruit: Try chopped apples or dried cranberries.
How To Make Quick and Easy Chicken Salad
Letting this sit in the fridge for a bit, helps meld the flavors together. Shoot for at least an hour. This chicken salad is always so fun for everyone to make their own sandwich or add it on top of green lettuce.
- Cut up all the nuts, celery, green onion, grapes and chicken.
2. Combine them in a bowl with the mayonnaise, dijon mustard, lemon juice and salt and pepper.
3. Mix Everything in a bowl. Garnish with additional green onions.
4. Add ingredients to a croissant. I love adding in 1-2 pieces of lettuce for some additonal greens and crunch but that’s totally optional!
How to Store Chicken Salad Leftovers
- Make-Ahead: I enjoy this even more after it has sat in the fridge for a bit, so it’s perfect for making it ahead.
- Store: Keep this in the fridge tightly covered in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
What to Serve with Chicken Salad Sandwich
There are a few ways to present this amazing chicken salad. Spread it on a flakey croissant, (the best way), serve with ritz crackers and a vegetable tray, or serve in lettuce cups for a low carb option. Salty potato chips, in my opinion, are a must, but there are other options that will still make a satisfying meal, whether it’s lunch or dinner. Serve with a wonderful cup of soup, some fruit, and vegetables with this incredible dip and you’ve got it made!
Dressings, Sauces, and Dips
5 mins
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In a medium sized bowl combine the chicken, grapes, pecans, green onions, celery, mayonnaise, lemon, and mustard. Salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with croissants, romaine, or with crackers.
Calories: 366kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 13gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 238mgPotassium: 228mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 145IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 26mgIron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.