Ultimate Chicken Salad with Grapes Recipe

Introduction

This Ultimate Chicken Salad with Grapes is a perfect blend of savory, sweet, and fresh flavors that makes for a delightful meal. It’s easy to prepare and ideal for sandwiches, salads, or served over greens. The addition of apples, celery, and fresh herbs adds a refreshing crunch and aroma that elevate classic chicken salad.

Ingredients

• 1½ to 1¾ pounds cooked chicken breasts (3½ to 4 cups chopped or shredded chicken, can use chicken thighs or rotisserie chicken)
• 1 small or medium apple (peeled, cored, and diced, makes 1 cup)
• 3 celery ribs (chopped)
• 1 cup red grapes, halved (if grapes are very large, you may want to cut into thirds)
• ½ cup green onion (chopped)
• ½ cup sliced or slivered almonds
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill (chopped)
• 1½ cup mayo
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ¾ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon lime juice

Instructions

1. Step 1: Shred or chop your cooked chicken and place it in a large mixing bowl.
2. Step 2: Add the diced apple, chopped celery, halved grapes, and chopped green onion to the bowl with the chicken. Stir gently to combine.
3. Step 3: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayo, ground mustard, salt, black pepper, and lime juice until smooth.
4. Step 4: Pour the mayo mixture over the chicken and fruit mixture. Stir thoroughly so all the ingredients are evenly coated in the seasoned mayo.
5. Step 5: Gently fold in the sliced or slivered almonds, fresh dill, and fresh thyme. Adding these last preserves their texture and flavor.
6. Step 6: Taste the salad and adjust seasoning if needed by adding up to an additional ¼ teaspoon of salt and pepper.
7. Step 7: Serve immediately or chill before serving. Enjoy your chicken salad in a sandwich, over a bed of greens, or as a satisfying salad on its own.

Tips & Variations

• Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut and added flavor.
• Substitute mayo with Greek yogurt or a blend of mayo and yogurt for a lighter option.
• Add chopped walnuts or pecans instead of almonds for a different crunch.
• Try fresh lemon juice instead of lime for a slightly different citrus note.

Storage

Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving if the mixture has settled. It’s best enjoyed chilled but can be brought to room temperature for about 15 minutes if preferred. Do not freeze, as the mayo-based dressing may separate upon thawing.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use cooked chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, cooked chicken thighs work wonderfully and add extra moisture and flavor to the salad. Just shred or chop them the same way you would with breasts.

Is this chicken salad suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely. It keeps well in the fridge and can be prepped a day ahead. Just make sure to store it properly and add crunchy ingredients like almonds right before serving if you prefer extra crispness.

Ultimate Chicken Salad with Grapes Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 70 reviews

This Ultimate Chicken Salad with Grapes is a delicious and refreshing blend of tender chicken, crisp apples, juicy grapes, and crunchy almonds, all tied together with a creamy, tangy mayo dressing seasoned with fresh herbs. Perfect for sandwiches, salads, or served over greens, this recipe offers a satisfying and flavorful meal that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.

• Author: Cleo
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken Salad Base

• 1½ to 1¾ pounds cooked chicken breasts (3½ to 4 cups chopped or shredded chicken, can use chicken thighs or rotisserie chicken)
• 1 small or medium apple (peeled, cored, and diced, makes 1 cup)
• 3 celery ribs (chopped)
• 1 cup red grapes, halved (if grapes are very large, cut into thirds)
• ½ cup green onion (chopped)

Add-ins and Herbs

• ½ cup sliced or slivered almonds
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill (chopped)

Dressing

• 1½ cup mayo
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ¾ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon lime juice

Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken: Shred or chop your cooked chicken breasts or thighs into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl.
2. Add the fruits and vegetables: Add the diced apple, chopped celery, halved grapes, and chopped green onion to the bowl with the chicken. Stir gently until combined evenly.
3. Mix the dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ground mustard, salt, black pepper, and lime juice until smooth and well blended.
4. Combine dressing and chicken mixture: Pour the mayo dressing over the chicken and fruit mixture. Stir everything thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are coated with the seasoned mayo.
5. Add nuts and herbs: Gently fold in the sliced or slivered almonds, fresh dill, and chopped thyme. Adding these last preserves their texture and keeps the flavors bright.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning: Sample your chicken salad and add up to an additional ¼ teaspoon each of salt and black pepper if desired. This adjustment depends on your mayo choice, so season to your preference.
7. Serve and enjoy: Your Ultimate Chicken Salad with Grapes is ready to serve! Enjoy it in a sandwich, atop a salad, or over mixed greens for a flavorful and satisfying meal.

Notes

• Use rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked chicken breasts to save time.
• Adjust the amount of mayo to your preferred creaminess level.
• You can substitute green grapes for red grapes if preferred.
• For a crunchier texture, toast the almonds lightly before adding.
• Fresh herbs like dill and thyme add brightness; dried can be used but fresh is best.
• Serve chilled or at room temperature depending on your preference.

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