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Sometimes, you just want a meal that makes you feel warm and happy inside. That’s exactly what this Chicken Salad Recipe does.
This Chicken Salad Recipe comes together with simple ingredients that you probably have in your kitchen right now.
You get a bit of sweetness from fresh grapes, a little tanginess from fresh lemon juice, and a nice crunch from crisp celery and toasted nuts. Not to mention the tender chicken that ties the whole thing together.
You can serve it in all kinds of ways. Tuck it into a sandwich, scoop it onto a bed of lettuce, or pile it high on crackers. If you ask me, it makes a great main course for lunch or dinner!
You can even use rotisserie chicken for a shortcut or poached chicken for a more traditional cooking style.
You don’t have to be a kitchen expert. With a few minutes and a cutting board, you’ll have this amazing chicken salad ready to go.
You’ll love how easy it is to put together, and the taste will keep you coming back for more. Trust me, once you try this classic chicken salad recipe, it will become a staple at your table.
And hey, if you somehow don’t finish this chicken salad recipe all at once (which might be tough!), you can store it for leftovers. Let’s get started!
Some of our other favorite chicken recipes we have on our site include: Popcorn Chicken, Chinese Chicken Recipe, and Italian Lemon Chicken Foil Packet.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Great Balance of Flavors: This salad has a good mix of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. You’ll taste juicy red grapes, crisp celery, and a creamy dressing with a hint of dijon mustard.
- Simple Ingredients, Easy Steps: You don’t need any fancy tools or skills. Just simple ingredients you can find at the grocery store.
- Super Versatile: Serve this chicken salad on a bed of lettuce, in a sandwich, or even with crackers.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Mayonnaise
- Dijon mustard
- Fresh parsley
- Fresh lemon juice
- Lemon zest
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Kosher salt
- Sweet paprika
- Black pepper
- Cooked chicken
- Celery
- Red grapes
- Honeycrisp apple
- Red onion
- Dried cranberries
- Pecans
HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN SALAD RECIPE:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, dijon, parsley, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, paprika, and pepper until combined.
- Add the diced chicken, celery, grapes, apples, red onion, cranberries, and pecans.
- Stir everything together until well combined and coated in the dressing.
- Serve immediately or cover with plastic wrap and chill until ready to serve.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
CAN I USE ROTISSERIE CHICKEN?
Yes, you can!
Using rotisserie chicken is a great way to save time. It also adds more flavor since the chicken is already seasoned and tender.
Just shred or dice it into bite-sized pieces and mix it right in.
I love leftover rotisserie chicken in the fridge.
This chicken salad is absolutely the perfect place to use it.
CAN I USE A DIFFERENT APPLE?
Of course!
If you don’t have honeycrisp, you can use another crunchy apple you like.
For example, Granny Smith or Gala apples work well. It’s all about personal preference.
Just pick an apple that’s crisp and sweet, and the result will still be a really good chicken salad.
No worries there!
ANY ADDITIONS?
Want to jazz up this ultimate chicken salad recipe even more? Try adding:
- Chopped green onions
- A handful of fresh herbs like fresh dill
- A squeeze of white vinegar for extra tang
- Some green grapes instead of red grapes
- A spoonful of Greek yogurt for extra creaminess
- A sprinkle of sesame seeds for crunch
- A scoop of low-fat sour cream instead of some mayo
- A handful of baby spinach leaves for color
- A few celery sticks for extra crunch
- A spoonful of miracle whip for a sweeter taste
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
Need to make a swap? No problem! Here are some easy ideas:
- Use poached chicken instead of rotisserie chicken
- Try shredded chicken breasts if you prefer white meat
- Switch mayo for Greek yogurt for a lighter creamy dressing
- Swap pecans for almonds or walnuts
- Use fresh dill or other fresh herbs instead of parsley
- Try dried cherries instead of cranberries for a subtle flavor change
HOW TO STORE:
Refrigerator:
Place your chicken salad in an airtight container and store it in the fridge. This will keep it fresh for up to three days.
When you want another serving, give it a quick stir and you’re good to go.
It’s the best way to keep it safe and tasty for a couple of days.
Freezer:
It’s not a great idea to freeze this creamy salad. Freezing can change the texture, making it watery and less pleasant to eat.
For the best texture, enjoy it fresh. If you must freeze it, the results might not be as smooth and yummy.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Chop Evenly: Cut everything into small, bite-sized pieces. This helps each forkful have a good mix of textures and flavors.
- Taste as You Go: Give your dressing a quick taste before mixing it into the salad. Adjust the seasoning with black pepper, salt, or fresh lemon juice until it’s just right.
- Use Fresh, Tender Chicken: Whether you use leftover chicken, rotisserie chicken, or poached chicken, make sure your chicken is cooked through and still moist.
- Keep It Cold: Chill the finished salad in a large bowl before serving. This helps the flavors blend together and makes the salad extra refreshing.
- Serve in Many Ways: Enjoy your chicken salad in a sandwich, on a bed of lettuce, or as a dip with crackers. There’s no wrong way to serve this classic recipe!
- Try Different Mix-Ins: Next time you make it, experiment with fresh grapes, green grapes, or even dried cherries. Changing the fruit or nuts can give your salad a whole new personality.
This chicken salad recipe proves that simple ingredients can come together to create an amazing chicken salad that’s both easy and delicious.
It’s a classic chicken salad recipe that you’ll make again and again because it’s just that good.
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
Cranberry Chicken Salad
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh squeezed
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the salad:
- 2 1/2 cups small diced cooked chicken
- 1/2 cup small diced celery
- 3/4 cup halved red grapes
- 1 cup small diced honeycrisp apple
- 2 tablespoons finely diced red onion
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup toasted finely chopped pecans
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, dijon, parsley, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, paprika, and pepper until combined.1 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Add the diced chicken, celery, grapes, apples, red onion, cranberries, and pecans.2 1/2 cups small diced cooked chicken, 1/2 cup small diced celery, 3/4 cup halved red grapes, 1 cup small diced honeycrisp apple, 2 tablespoons finely diced red onion, 1/4 cup dried cranberries, 1/4 cup toasted finely chopped pecans
- Stir everything together until well combined and coated in the dressing.
- Serve immediately or cover with plastic wrap and chill until ready to serve.
Notes
- Cut everything into small, bite-sized pieces. This helps each forkful have a good mix of textures and flavors.
- Give your dressing a quick taste before mixing it into the salad. Adjust the seasoning with black pepper, salt, or fresh lemon juice until it’s just right.
- Whether you use leftover chicken, rotisserie chicken, or poached chicken, make sure your chicken is cooked through and still moist.
- Chill the finished salad in a large bowl before serving. This helps the flavors blend together and makes the salad extra refreshing.
- Enjoy your chicken salad in a sandwich, on a bed of lettuce, or as a dip with crackers. There’s no wrong way to serve this classic recipe!
- Next time you make it, experiment with fresh grapes, green grapes, or even dried cherries. Changing the fruit or nuts can give your salad a whole new personality.
Nutrition
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