Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans Recipe

This Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans is a celebration of crispy, creamy, and juicy flavors with every bite. It brings together tender chicken, sweet grapes, crunchy celery, and buttery toasted pecans in a luscious, tangy dressing, making it the kind of feel-good classic you’ll want to make again and again.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans is how each ingredient has a purpose—bringing flavor, color, or just the right amount of crunch. Gather these kitchen staples and let each one shine in your finished salad!

• Cooked chicken (3 ½ cups, shredded): Use rotisserie chicken or leftover baked chicken for extra flavor and tender texture.
• Celery (2 stalks, chopped): Adds a fresh crunch that keeps every bite lively and light.
• Red grapes (⅔ cup, halved): Their sweet juiciness balances the savory notes and makes the salad pop with color.
• Pecans (½ cup, chopped): Toasted pecans offer buttery crunch and a nutty depth that elevates the salad.
• Red onion (½ medium, diced): Sharpness and a bit of bite add brightness and dimension.
• Mayonnaise (⅔ cup): The creamy base that brings it all together.
• Plain Greek yogurt or sour cream (2 Tbsp): Lightens up the dressing with a subtle tang.
• Chopped parsley (2 Tbsp, optional): A burst of herbal freshness for extra vibrance.
• Dijon mustard (1 tsp): Adds a punchy zing to keep the dressing interesting.
• Lemon juice (½ tsp): Just a touch lifts the entire dish and enhances every flavor.
• Salt and pepper: Essential for balancing and rounding out all the other flavors.

Variations

The magic of Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans is that it easily adapts to whatever you have on hand or crave that day. Don’t be afraid to play with the ingredients or tweak the flavors to suit your tastes or dietary needs!

• Swap the Nuts: Try walnuts, slivered almonds, or cashews if pecans aren’t your favorite or aren’t available.
• Make it Lighter: Use all Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, or opt for a lighter mayo to cut down on calories and add more tang.
• Change Up the Fruit: Green grapes, chopped apples, or dried cranberries are delicious alternatives for a unique spin.
• Go Herbacious: Add chopped tarragon, dill, or chives for a savory, gourmet twist.
• Make It Dairy-Free: Simply skip the yogurt or use a plant-based alternative for a recipe everyone can enjoy.

How to Make Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans

Step 1: Make the Creamy Dressing

Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt (or sour cream), dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. This is your flavor foundation, so don’t be shy about tasting and adjusting the seasonings to your liking right from the start.

Step 2: Add the Crunchy & Juicy Veggies

To the bowl, add the chopped celery, halved grapes, diced red onion, and—if you’re using them—the fresh parsley. These ingredients pile on color and irresistible texture. Give everything a gentle toss so the dressing coats everything evenly without mashing the grapes.

Step 3: Toss in the Chicken and Pecans

Finally, fold in the shredded chicken and chopped pecans. Handle the mixture with care so the chicken stays tender and the pecans keep their crunch. Once combined, taste for salt and pepper, tweaking as needed to suit your palate.

Step 4: Chill and Serve

For the absolute best flavor, cover your Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This quick rest melds all the fresh, tangy, and nutty flavors together—and makes this salad perfect for making ahead!

How to Serve Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans

Garnishes

Sprinkle extra chopped parsley or a few whole toasted pecans on top just before serving for a burst of color and crunch. If you’re feeling fancy, add a pinch of cracked black pepper or a squeeze of extra lemon juice to wake up all those fresh flavors.

Side Dishes

This salad is heavenly paired with tender butter lettuce, crisp crackers, or stuffed into croissants for an easy meal. For a more complete plate, serve it alongside a simple green salad, fresh fruit, or even a cup of cool cucumber soup in the summer months.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans in lettuce cups for lighter, finger-food style bites or spoon it into mini phyllo shells for a party-friendly appetizer. For picnics and lunches, layer it in mason jars with greens, or simply heap it onto a beautiful platter for sharing family style.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers of your Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans in an airtight container in the refrigerator—it’s freshest within three days. If the salad seems a little dry after chilling, just stir in a tablespoon or two of extra mayo before serving to restore its creaminess.

Freezing

While freezing is not recommended for Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans (the creamy dressing and fresh fruits/veggies won’t hold up), you can freeze the cooked chicken separately and assemble full salads later for easy meal planning.

Reheating

This salad is best enjoyed chilled straight from the fridge and isn’t meant to be reheated. If you prefer it closer to room temperature, simply let it sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes before serving.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans enough—the flavors are bright, the textures are so satisfying, and it’s simply a joy to make and serve. Give it a try and share it with loved ones; you might just find a new staple for your lunch and picnic lineup!

Print