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Creamy Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans

creamy chicken salad with grapes and pecans - featured image

This creamy chicken salad with grapes and pecans is the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and crunchy. It’s quick and easy to make, perfect for meal prep, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
  • 1 cup red seedless grapes, halved
  • ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped and toasted
  • 2 ribs celery, finely diced
  • 23 tablespoons green onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. If using a rotisserie chicken, remove skin and bones, then shred or dice the meat to yield 3 cups. If cooking your own chicken, poach 2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in salted water until cooked through (165°F), then cool completely before shredding.
  2. Toast the chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Transfer to a plate to cool.
  3. Wash and halve the grapes, finely dice the celery, and thinly slice the green onions.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, halved grapes, diced celery, sliced green onions, and cooled toasted pecans.
  6. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and fold gently until everything is evenly coated. Be careful not to crush the grapes.
  7. For best flavor, chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. If the salad seems dry after chilling, stir in an extra tablespoon of mayonnaise or yogurt.

Notes

This salad is best served cold or at room temperature. The flavors improve after a day in the fridge. For a nut-free version, substitute pecans with toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. For a dairy-free option, use vegan mayonnaise and dairy-free yogurt.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken salad, creamy chicken salad, grapes, pecans, easy lunch, meal prep, gluten-free