Chicken Salad
We call this “fancy” Chicken Salad, but it’s truly easy. It’s a fresher, lighter version of classic creamy chicken salad with tender chicken, grapes, celery, red onion, toasted pecans, and a creamy lemon-dill dressing. Serve it in sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups, over greens, or with crackers.
Ingredients
Chicken Salad Ingredients:
- 1 lb cooked chicken breast meat, 4 cups diced*
- 2 cups seedless red grapes, halved
- 1 cup celery, (from 2-3 sticks celery), cut in half lengthwise then sliced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped (1/2 medium red onion)
- 1 cup pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped
Chicken Salad Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream, or plain Greek yogurt
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp dill, chives, or parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium-low heat for 3–5 minutes, tossing frequently, until golden and fragrant. Transfer to a cutting board, cool, then coarsely chop.
- Combine Salad Ingredients - In a large mixing bowl, combine diced chicken, halved grapes, sliced celery, chopped onion, and cooled pecans.
- Make the Dressing - In a small bowl, add all of the dressing ingredients and stir to combine. Add the dressing to taste and stir until evenly coated. Serve right away or cover and refrigerate for 1–2 hours for the best flavor.
Notes
*Use cooked and chilled chicken breast, rotisserie chicken, roast chicken, or baked chicken breast. Dice the chicken for the best texture.
Make-Ahead and Storage:
- Refrigerate chicken salad in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days, depending on how fresh the cooked chicken was when you started. Keep chilled until serving and don’t leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
- Freezing: Freezing is not recommended since the creamy dressing can separate and the crunchy ingredients soften.
Nutrition Facts
Chicken Salad
Amount per Serving
Calories
438
% Daily Value*
Fat
33
g
51
%
Saturated Fat
6
g
38
%
Trans Fat
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
13
g
Monounsaturated Fat
12
g
Cholesterol
71
mg
24
%
Sodium
398
mg
17
%
Potassium
453
mg
13
%
Carbohydrates
15
g
5
%
Fiber
3
g
13
%
Sugar
10
g
11
%
Protein
22
g
44
%
Vitamin A
236
IU
5
%
Vitamin C
6
mg
7
%
Calcium
65
mg
7
%
Iron
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
