I know, I know… chicken salad has been around since forever. But this chicken salad with grapes and crunchy pecans is the one that actually makes people ask for the recipe—instead of politely pushing it around their plate.
I first whipped it up for a “quick lunch,” and it turned into my entire family crowding around the bowl with crackers like it was Super Bowl Sunday. No leftovers. No regrets.
It’s creamy, a little sweet, and has just the right crunch—basically, the best chicken salad recipe for sandwiches, wraps, or straight-up fork-to-mouth action. Whether you’re doing lunch meal prep, showing off at a potluck, or just trying to put that rotisserie chicken to good use, this one’s a keeper.
Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 3 ½ cups cooked chicken shredded or chopped
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- ⅔ cup red grapes halved
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ½ medium red onion diced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley optional
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt (or sour cream), Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.⅔ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon lemon juice, Salt and black pepper
- Mix in the Good Stuff: Add the cooked chicken, celery, grapes, pecans, red onion, and parsley. Gently stir everything until the dressing coats all the ingredients evenly.3 ½ cups cooked chicken, 2 stalks celery, ⅔ cup red grapes, ½ cup chopped pecans, ½ medium red onion, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Chill It Down: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. This gives the flavors time to mingle and makes the salad extra tasty.
Chicken Salad with Grapes & Pecans: Pro Tips from a Salad Snob Who’s Seen Things
🥶 Cold Chicken Only, Please
Do yourself (and your mayo) a favor—don’t toss warm chicken into your salad unless you like greasy disappointment. Let it cool completely before mixing unless you’re aiming for “hot mess” instead of “lunch hero.”
🛒 Rotisserie Chicken: The Real MVP
Skip the cooking and grab a rotisserie chicken from Costco, Sam’s Club, or literally anywhere. It shreds like a dream and saves you 20 minutes (plus one existential crisis).
🍇 Grapes: Not Just for Toddlers
Red grapes are the move—sweet, juicy, and photogenic. But if all you’ve got is green grapes? They’ll work. If your grapes are kind of meh, soak them in a little cold water with lemon juice for 10 minutes to wake ‘em up. Yes, grape spa day.
🥄 Mayo vs. Greek Yogurt: Choose Your Fighter
Go all-in on mayo for that classic deli flavor, or lighten it up with half Greek yogurt if you’re pretending to be healthy this week. Sour cream works too, but Greek yogurt makes you feel more responsible.
🥓 Add Bacon (Because… Bacon)
Leftover bacon hanging out in the fridge? Crumble it in. It makes you look like you went to culinary school—even if you just reheated frozen chicken last week.
🥬 Lettuce Wrap It Like a Pro
No bread? No problem. Scoop it into romaine or butter lettuce leaves and suddenly you’re eating a “low-carb lunch” instead of just “whatever’s in the fridge.”
🔪 Dice, Don’t Pulverize
Keep those ingredients chunky enough so you can still tell what’s what. Chicken paste with grape smears isn’t the vibe.
🌰 No Pecans? No Panic.
Walnuts, sliced almonds, or even sunflower seeds can step in. Honestly, just use something crunchy so it’s not just “Chicken Softness: The Salad.”
⏰ Flavor Gets Better With Time (Just Like Revenge)
This salad actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge for a bit. Make it the night before and feel smug the next day when lunch is already done.
💡 Make It Fancy—Or Not
Serving this at a shower, brunch, or event where people pretend to eat cute food? Pop it on mini croissants with a tiny parsley leaf on top. Want to eat it straight out of the Tupperware in pajama pants? That’s cool too. Still tastes amazing.
