Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
- 1 cup red or green grapes, halved
- ½ cup walnuts, chopped
- ½ cup celery, finely diced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
For the Dressing:
- ½ cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a healthier version)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Add-Ins:
- Dried cranberries or raisins – for a hint of sweetness
- Chopped apples – for extra crunch
- Sliced almonds or pecans – a great alternative to walnuts
- A drizzle of honey – if you love a little more sweetness
Instructions
Step 1 – Prepare the Ingredients
- If using leftover or rotisserie chicken, shred or dice it into bite-sized pieces.
- Halve the grapes for a juicy burst of sweetness in every bite.
- Finely chop the celery and red onion for extra crunch and mild sharpness.
- Roughly chop the walnuts to keep their texture.
Step 2 – Make the Dressing
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
Step 3 – Combine Everything
- Add the chicken, grapes, walnuts, celery, and red onion into the bowl with the dressing.
- Gently mix until everything is well coated with the creamy dressing.
Step 4 – Chill and Serve
- Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Serve chilled as a sandwich, in a lettuce wrap, or on a bed of greens.
Notes
✅ For extra crunch, toast the walnuts in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes before adding them to the salad.
✅ Adjust sweetness – If you prefer a sweeter salad, add a teaspoon of honey or swap half the grapes for dried cranberries.
✅ Make it lighter – Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a tangy, lower-fat alternative.
✅ Storage – Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Do not freeze.
✅ Serving ideas – Enjoy it in a croissant, pita, or whole wheat wrap, or pair it with crackers for a quick snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (if using pre-cooked chicken)
- Category: Salad, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: Chicken Salad with Grapes and Walnuts, Healthy Chicken Salad, Creamy Chicken Salad, Easy Chicken Salad Recipe, Meal Prep Chicken Salad, Low Carb Chicken Salad