This Easy Chicken Salad Recipe is a classic for a reason! It’s a delightful combination of tender chicken, sweet grapes, crunchy celery, and toasted pecans, all coated in a creamy, tangy dressing. It’s perfect for a quick lunch, a light dinner, or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
- Simple and Delicious: With just a handful of ingredients and easy steps, this recipe is a breeze to make.
- Versatile: Enjoy it on sandwiches, crackers, salads, or as a filling for wraps and lettuce cups.
- Customizable: Feel free to add your favorite ingredients, such as dried cranberries, apples, or walnuts.
Ingredients
Chicken Salad Ingredients:
- Cooked Chicken Breast: The star of the show, providing protein and a satisfying texture.
- Seedless Red Grapes: Add a burst of sweetness and a juicy bite.
- Celery: Provides a refreshing crunch and a subtle savory note.
- Red Onion: Adds a bit of sharpness and a pop of color.
- Pecans: Toasted pecans bring a nutty flavor and satisfying crunch.
Chicken Salad Dressing:
- Mayonnaise: Creates a creamy base for the dressing.
- Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and a touch of richness.
- Lemon Juice: Brightens the flavors with a touch of acidity.
- Dill: Adds a fresh, herbaceous note that complements the other ingredients.
- Salt and Pepper: Enhances the overall taste.
How to Make Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
Step 1: Toast the Pecans
Toast the pecans in a dry skillet until golden brown and fragrant. This enhances their flavor and adds a delightful crunch.
Step 2: Combine the Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the diced chicken, halved grapes, sliced celery, chopped red onion, and toasted pecans.
Step 3: Make the Dressing
In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper.
Step 4: Dress and Chill
Pour the dressing over the chicken salad and stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Tips for Making Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
- Use Quality Chicken: Whether you roast your own chicken, use a rotisserie chicken, or cook chicken breasts, make sure the chicken is flavorful and tender.
- Toast the Pecans: Toasting the pecans enhances their flavor and adds a satisfying crunch to the salad.
- Chill Before Serving: Chilling the chicken salad allows the flavors to meld and enhances the overall taste.
How to Serve Easy Chicken Salad
- On Sandwiches: Serve on your favorite bread with lettuce and tomato for a classic chicken salad sandwich.
- With Crackers: Enjoy as a snack or appetizer with crackers or crostini.
- On Salads: Add a scoop of chicken salad to your favorite green salad for a protein boost.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing
This chicken salad is best enjoyed fresh and is not recommended for freezing.
Reheating
This chicken salad is typically served cold.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of nut? Yes, you can use walnuts, almonds, or cashews instead of pecans.
2. Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream? Yes, Greek yogurt is a healthy substitute for sour cream in this recipe.
3. How can I add more flavor to the chicken salad? Try adding different herbs, spices, or a dash of hot sauce to the dressing.
4. Can I make this chicken salad ahead of time? Yes, you can make the chicken salad a day ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.
There you have it! A simple and delicious recipe for Easy Chicken Salad. I hope you enjoy it!
PrintEasy Chicken Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salads
- Method: American
Description
This light and refreshing chicken salad is perfect for a hot summer day or a picnic lunch. It’s made with tender chicken, grapes, celery, pecans, and a creamy dressing.
Ingredients
- 1 pound cooked chicken breast meat, diced (about 4 cups)
- 2 cups seedless red grapes, halved
- 1 cup celery, cut into thin slices
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons dill, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Toast pecans: Place pecans on a dry skillet over medium-low heat and toast for 3-5 minutes, tossing frequently until golden and fragrant. Transfer to a cutting board and coarsely chop.
- Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine diced chicken, grapes, celery, onion, and cooled pecans.
- Make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble and serve: Add dressing to the salad and stir until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- You can use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken.
- If you don’t have pecans, you can use almonds or walnuts.
- Adjust the amount of dressing to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 340kcal
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
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