This Chicken Salad With Grapes is a refreshing twist on the classic chicken salad. The sweet bursts of juicy grapes perfectly balance the savory chicken and crunchy walnuts, creating a delightful medley of flavors and textures. Ready in just minutes, it’s the ideal solution for busy weeknights, lunch prep, or elegant gatherings when you need something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Quick: You’ll have this ready in just 5 minutes if you’re using pre-cooked chicken. Talk about a time-saver!
Versatile: Works beautifully as a sandwich filling, wrapped in lettuce leaves, or served on a bed of greens for a light meal.
Perfect Balance: The combination of creamy dressing, crunchy vegetables, and sweet grapes creates an irresistible flavor profile that satisfies on multiple levels.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare it now, enjoy it later – the flavors actually get better as they mingle in the refrigerator.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chicken: The star of the show! Use pre-cooked chicken breast for convenience – rotisserie chicken works wonderfully here and adds extra flavor.
Red onion: Brings a pleasant bite and beautiful purple color contrast. Finely dice it to distribute the flavor without overwhelming.
Celery: Provides essential crunch and a fresh, clean flavor that lightens the creamy mixture.
Grapes: The secret weapon! These sweet purple gems burst with juicy freshness and unexpected sweetness in every bite.
Mayonnaise: Creates the creamy base of the dressing. Choose a good quality mayo for the best flavor.
Plain yogurt: Adds tanginess and lightens up the dressing compared to using only mayonnaise.
Walnuts: Contribute wonderful texture and nutty flavor. Make sure they’re fresh for the best taste.
Thyme: This herb brings a subtle earthiness that elevates the entire dish beyond basic chicken salad.
Salt and pepper: Simple seasonings that pull everything together – adjust to your taste preferences.

Variations

Want to customize your chicken salad? Here are some delicious options:

Fruit Swap: Replace grapes with diced apples, dried cranberries, or halved cherries for a different sweet element.
Nut Alternatives: Try pecans, sliced almonds, or even sunflower seeds for those with nut allergies.
Herb Boost: Add fresh dill, tarragon, or basil instead of thyme for a completely different flavor profile.
Creamy Options: Substitute Greek yogurt for regular yogurt for extra protein, or use sour cream for a tangier result.

How to Make Chicken Salad With Grapes

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Use pre-cooked chicken breast or grab a rotisserie chicken from the store. Cut it into even, bite-sized cubes or shred it, depending on your texture preference.

Step 2: Combine Main Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken cubes, finely diced red onion, chopped celery, and halved grapes. Mix these together gently to distribute everything evenly.

Step 3: Add the Dressing

Add the mayonnaise and yogurt to the bowl and mix thoroughly until all chicken pieces are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.

Step 4: Incorporate Final Elements

Fold in the chopped walnuts and fresh thyme, being careful not to overmix. Season with salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting as needed.

Step 5: Serve or Chill

Transfer your finished chicken salad to a serving dish. You can enjoy it immediately or refrigerate until chilled for even better flavor development.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Chicken Temperature: Make sure your chicken is completely cooled before making the salad to prevent the mayonnaise from breaking down.
Chopping Consistency: Try to keep all ingredients chopped to similar sizes for the best eating experience.
Grape Selection: Look for firm, seedless grapes – red or purple varieties add beautiful color and tend to be sweeter than green.
Dressing Ratio: Start with less dressing than you think you need – you can always add more, but you can’t take it away once mixed.
Seasoning Timing: Season just before serving for the most accurate flavor assessment, as the salad will taste less salty after chilling.

How to Serve

This versatile chicken salad works wonderfully in multiple presentations:

Sandwich Style

Layer between your favorite bread with some crisp lettuce for a fantastic lunch option. Croissants make it feel extra special!

Light Meal

Serve a scoop atop a bed of mixed greens with some additional vegetables for a complete, protein-rich meal.

Party Platter

Offer as a dip with sturdy crackers, endive leaves, or cucumber rounds for an elegant appetizer option.

Stuffed Option

Fill hollowed tomatoes or avocado halves with the chicken salad for an impressive presentation that’s actually quite simple.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Remember that if you used leftover chicken to make the salad, you should factor in how long that chicken had already been stored.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare all components ahead of time and store them separately. Chop the vegetables and chicken, then combine with the dressing ingredients just before serving for the freshest result.

Freezing

This recipe doesn’t freeze well due to the mayonnaise and fresh vegetables, which can change texture significantly when thawed.

FAQs

Can I use canned chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use canned chicken in a pinch, though the texture won’t be quite as nice as freshly cooked chicken. Make sure to drain it very well and consider reducing the amount of salt in the recipe since canned chicken usually contains sodium.

Why add yogurt instead of using all mayonnaise?
The yogurt lightens the dressing while adding a pleasant tanginess that balances the sweetness of the grapes. It also reduces the overall calories compared to using only mayonnaise while maintaining a creamy texture.

How can I make this recipe healthier?
Try using Greek yogurt in place of regular yogurt and reduce the mayonnaise amount. You could also use a light mayonnaise variety. Add extra celery and grapes to increase the vegetable and fruit content proportionally.

My chicken salad seems dry – what should I do?
If your salad seems dry after mixing, simply add a little more mayonnaise or yogurt, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Keep in mind that the salad may absorb some moisture as it sits in the refrigerator.

Final Thoughts

This Chicken Salad With Grapes recipe transforms everyday ingredients into something truly special. With its perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, savory and sweet elements, it’s bound to become a regular in your meal rotation. Whether packed for lunch, served at a picnic, or presented at a gathering, it’s sure to impress while keeping your kitchen time to a minimum. Give it a try – your taste buds will thank you!

Chicken Salad With Grapes Recipe