Chicken Salad With Grapes

This chicken salad with grapes is a refreshing and satisfying blend of tender chicken, crisp celery, creamy dressing, and bursts of sweet fruit. It’s a classic combination that strikes a perfect balance between savory and sweet, with just enough texture to make every bite interesting. The sour cream and mayonnaise dressing adds smooth richness without feeling heavy, while the lemon juice brightens the whole salad.

It’s also one of the most versatile salads you can prepare. Whether you spoon it into soft homemade bread, serve it on crisp lettuce leaves, or pair it with crackers and fruit, it’s always a welcome addition to lunch menus, picnics, potlucks, or make-ahead meals. The salad comes together quickly and is easy to customize with different nuts, herbs, or mix-ins.

What You’ll Like About This Recipe

• Perfect balance of flavors. Tender chicken, creamy dressing, and sweet grapes come together in a way that feels bright and refreshing. The sour cream lightens the dressing while still keeping it rich and satisfying.
• Great texture in every bite. Crisp celery, juicy grapes, and crunchy nuts give this salad a lively contrast that keeps it interesting without overwhelming the chicken.
• Quick and effortless preparation. With cooked chicken already on hand, the salad mixes up in minutes. It’s ideal for busy days, meal prep, or summer cooking when you want something cool and simple.
• Easily customizable. Swap nuts, change the dressing, or add herbs—this recipe acts as a flexible base for countless variations.
• Perfect for sandwiches or salads. It’s equally at home tucked into croissants, piled onto lettuce cups, or served on its own with fresh fruit.

Ingredient Notes

• Mayonnaise – Forms the creamy base of the dressing. Use a brand with balanced acidity and richness; Duke’s or Hellmann’s are reliable choices.
• Sour cream – Lightens the dressing and adds tang. Greek yogurt can be used as a partial substitute for a lighter version.
• Cooked chicken – Diced or shredded. Rotisserie chicken, poached chicken breasts, or leftover roasted chicken all work well.
• Celery – Provides crunch and freshness. Look for firm, pale green stalks to ensure the best flavor.
• Grapes – Seedless red or green grapes both work; red grapes offer a sweeter flavor and appealing color contrast.
• Hard-boiled eggs – Add richness and additional protein, helping the salad feel more substantial.
• Pecans or almonds – Toasting the nuts enhances their flavor and improves crunch. Choose based on preference or what you have on hand.
• Lemon juice – Brightens the dressing and balances the creaminess.

Steps to Make Chicken Salad With Grapes

1. Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and salt in a large bowl and whisk until smooth.
2. Add the diced chicken, celery, eggs, grapes, nuts, and lemon juice to the bowl.
3. Toss gently to mix the ingredients without crushing the grapes or breaking down the chicken.
4. Chill the salad until cold so the flavors meld and the dressing thickens slightly.
5. Spoon onto lettuce leaves, sandwich rolls, or serve in croissants. Enjoy cold.

Pro Tips

• Chill thoroughly before serving—cold chicken salad tastes fresher, creamier, and more cohesive.
• Use a mix of chopping sizes so the salad has good texture without large, uneven pieces.
• Toast the nuts briefly in a dry skillet for more flavor and better crunch.
• Add lemon gradually and adjust to taste; different batches of sour cream can vary in acidity.
• Avoid watery grapes by cutting them just before mixing so they stay crisp.

Recipe Variations

• Herbed chicken salad. Add fresh dill, chives, or parsley for a more aromatic version with extra brightness.
• Curry chicken salad. Stir in mild curry powder, golden raisins, and cashews for a warmly spiced twist.
• Apple and grape salad. Add diced apples for more sweetness and crunch, especially good for fall lunches.
• Almond-cranberry version. Replace pecans with sliced almonds and stir in dried cranberries for a sweet-tart variation.
• Lightened-up dressing. Replace half the mayo with Greek yogurt to reduce richness while keeping the salad creamy.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve on buttery croissants, brioche buns, or sandwich rolls for a satisfying meal.
• Add it to lettuce cups or stuffed tomatoes for a fresh, lighter presentation.
• Pair with fruit salad, potato chips, or crackers for a simple lunch plate.
• Choose to scoop it onto a charcuterie-style board alongside cheeses, nuts, and vegetables.

How to Store

• Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The flavors continue to blend, though the nuts may soften slightly.
• Freeze: Not recommended, as the creamy dressing and fresh grapes change texture when frozen.
• Refresh: Stir in a spoonful of mayo or a splash of lemon juice before serving leftovers to revive creaminess and brighten flavor.

Chicken Salad With Grapes

Diana Rattray

This chicken salad is a delightful mix of tender chicken, crisp celery, sweet grapes, and creamy dressing.

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Servings 4 servings

Calories 495

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Chicken, Salads

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  

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• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
• 3/4 cup celery, chopped
• 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 1/2 cup seedless grapes, chopped
• 1/2 cup pecans, chopped, or slivered almonds
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

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• Prepare the Dressing: In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, and salt; whisk to blend.
• Make the Salad: Add the chicken, celery, chopped eggs, grapes, nuts, and lemon juice. Toss gently to mix ingredients. Chill thoroughly.
• Serve: Serve in sandwich rolls or on lettuce leaves. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 495kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 24gFat: 41gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 17gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 213mgSodium: 442mgPotassium: 368mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 436IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 62mgIron: 2mg

Disclaimer:

Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.

Keyword chicken salad, grapes

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