Enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner with this Chicken Salad with Grapes. Loaded with savory dill, crunchy nuts, and juicy fruit, this chicken salad recipe is a winner of a chicken dinner. Serve it on bread, wrap it up, or add it to a salad - you can't go wrong.
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Chicken salad is a classic dish that our family has been enjoying for years. It is versatile, delicious, and can be served in a variety of ways. A few of our favorites are this spicy chicken salad recipe and this Hawaiian chicken salad.
Have you had the pecan chicken salad from Arby's? I love that they include fruit and nuts in their chicken salad recipe.
Unfortunately, it is only available for a limited time each year. So, I was inspired to make my own version of their chicken salad recipe, so we can enjoy it all year long.
Why Make this Chicken Salad Recipe
This chicken salad with grapes is the perfect meal to make on busy nights. Your whole family will enjoy this fresh and delicious salad for dinner.
- Comes together quickly. Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken saves time in the kitchen.
- Sweet and savory flavor. The sweetness and juiciness of the grapes complement the savory flavor of the chicken salad. It creates a perfect balance of flavors that is both refreshing and satisfying.
- Incredibly versatile. You can serve it on a bed of lettuce, as a sandwich, or as a dip with crackers or vegetables. It makes for a great meal prep option that can be stored in the fridge for several days and eaten on the go.
- Great for picnics or potlucks. It's easy to make ahead of time and travels well, so it is the perfect recipe for any occasion.
Whether you enjoy this chicken salad as a full meal or a light snack, the flavor, texture, and colors make it perfect for showers and special gatherings.
Ingredients Needed
Chicken salad is one of those recipes that you can change up to include your favorite ingredients. We feel that the combination of these ingredients makes this grape pecan chicken salad the best.
- Chicken - We like to use a shredded rotisserie chicken from Sam's Club to save time. You can also roast your own chicken, use grilled chicken breast, or canned chicken.
- Seedless Grapes - Gives the chicken salad a delicious sweet taste. Feel free to use red or green grapes, depending on your preference. Red grapes tend to be sweeter, while green grapes are a little more tart.
- Celery - Adds a delicious crunch and fresh flavor. Leave it out if you don't have any or don't like it. You can also use green onions or green peppers in place of it.
- Pecans - Dice the nuts into small bite sized pieces. Toast the nuts ahead of time to give the chicken salad a unique and delicious taste.
- Mayonnaise & Sour Cream - A combination of these creates a creamy base for the other ingredients. You can also use Greek yogurt if you want to lighten the recipe up.
- Fresh Dill - Gives a fresh flavor.
- Salt & Pepper - Use to season the pecan chicken salad to taste.
How to make Chicken Salad with Grapes
This chicken salad recipe is so easy to make in under 30 minutes when you use a rotisserie chicken. It's perfect for eating on bread or on greens all week long.
- Make the dill sauce. Mix together sour cream and mayonnaise in a small bowl. Chop the fresh dill into small pieces, removing the stems. Stir into the creamy mixture.
- Prep the ingredients. Debone and shred the cooked chicken. Dice the celery and pecans; cut the grapes in half.
- Assemble the chicken salad. Stir the chicken, celery, pecans, and grapes in a large bowl. Pour the dill sauce on top and stir everything together.
- Season and refrigerate. Add salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
Variations
- Different fruits. Try using dried cranberries, chopped apples, fresh cherries, and pineapple in this chicken salad recipe.
- Change up the herbs. Parsley and cilantro are great choices.
- Make it mayo-free. Use a mixture of sour cream and Greek yogurt. You can also use ranch, avocado lime dressing, or a mixture of any of these.
- Use different nuts or seeds. Walnuts and almonds are delicious in this too.
Storage Recommendations
Store the chicken salad in an air tight bowl in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Give it a stir before serving.
I do not recommend freezing chicken salad because it will be a watery mess when it thaws out. If you like, freeze the chicken alone, then defrost and make the chicken salad when you need it.
Tips and Tricks
- Save time by using a store-bought rotisserie chicken. We usually keep bags of shredded chicken in our freezer for chicken salad, or easy meals like this chicken pasta bake or this chicken avocado quesadilla.
- Fresh dill gives this grape chicken salad its unique flavor. You may think that it seems like a lot of dill, but when you use fresh herbs you use more. Do not pack the chopped dill in your measuring cup.
- If you are using dried dill for this recipe, please use about ⅓ of the amount. Dried herbs have a much more concentrated flavor, so you need to use less.
- If you want yours to taste just like the Arby's pecan chicken salad, leave the dill out.
- Make sure to chop all your ingredients into bite sized pieces. Not only is it easier to eat, the salad can blend and meld together better when the ingredients are smaller.
- Refrigerate at least one hour before serving. This gives the ingredients time to chill and blend together.
Ways to Eat Grape Pecan Chicken Salad
There is no wrong way to eat this easy chicken salad. It all depends on what you are in the mood for.
- As a Sandwich - Use your favorite sliced bread, croissants, or Hawaiian rolls to make chicken salad sandwiches.
- On a Salad - For a low carb option, serve the chicken on a green salad or in lettuce cups.
- In Wraps - Fill tortilla shells or low carb wraps with the salad.
- As a Dip - Serve it with pretzels and crackers for a light snack on a charcuterie board.
FAQs
You sure can. If you are making this exact recipe, you will need 5-6 cups of chicken.
The grape pecan chicken salad will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator if kept in container.
I don't recommend freezing chicken salad because of the dairy in it. As it thaws, it will become watery and will not taste as great.
If you make it and feel like the flavor of dill is overwhelming, here are a few things you can do to salvage the salad.
1. Give it time. Dill is actually an herb that looses strength over time. Refrigerate the chicken salad overnight, and the flavor of the dill may be toned down enough for it to be palatable for you.
2. Add more of the other ingredients to tone down the flavor or use vinegar to neutralize the flavor of dill. Stir in 1 tablespoon of vinegar at a time to the chicken salad until you like the taste.
Other Chicken Salad Recipes
- Cherry Chicken Salad
- Chicken Fiesta Salad
- Spinach Caprese Salad
- BLT Chicken Salad
- Asian Chicken Salad
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Recipe
Chicken Salad with Grapes
Enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner with this Chicken Salad with Grapes. Loaded with savory dill, crunchy nuts, and juicy fruit, this chicken salad recipe is a winner of a chicken dinner. Serve it on bread, wrap it up, or add it to a salad - you can't go wrong.
Ingredients
- 5-6 cups cooked chicken, shredded (large rotisserie chicken from Sam's)
- 1 ½ cups finely chopped pecans
- 2-3 ribs of celery, chopped fine
- 4 cups halved red seedless grapes
- 1 cup finely diced fresh dill (loosely packed)
- 1 cup sour cream* (see note below)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Stir together the chicken, celery, grapes, and pecans in a large bowl.
- Whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, dill, salt, and pepper. Pour over the chicken mixture and stir until everything is completely covered.
- Refrigerate at least 2 hours for the flavors to develop. Serve on bread, salad, wraps, or with pretzel crackers.
Notes
Tips and Tricks
- This recipe makes a very large bowl of chicken salad. You can feed a crowd or you can eat on it for days. If you do not need that much, feel free to cut the recipe in half.
- Save time by using a store-bought rotisserie chicken. We usually keep bags of shredded chicken in our freezer for chicken salad or easy meals.
- Fresh dill gives this grape chicken salad its unique flavor. You may think that it seems like a lot of dill, but when you use fresh herbs you use more. Do not pack the chopped dill in your measuring cup.
- If you are using dried dill for this recipe, please use about ⅓ of the amount. Dried herbs have a much more concentrated flavor, so you need to use less.
- If you want yours to taste just like the Arby's pecan chicken salad, leave the dill out.
- Make sure to chop all your ingredients into bite sized pieces. Not only is it easier to eat, the salad can blend and meld together better when the ingredients are smaller.
- Refrigerate at least one hour before serving. This gives the ingredients time to chill and blend together.
Variations
- Different fruits. Try using dried cranberries, chopped apples, fresh cherries, and pineapple in this chicken salad recipe.
- Change up the herbs. Parsley and cilantro are great choices.
- Make it mayo-free. Use a mixture of sour cream and Greek yogurt. You can also use ranch dressing or a mixture of any of these.
- Use different nuts or seeds. Walnuts and almonds are delicious in this too.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 533Total Fat: 37gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 25gCholesterol: 173mgSodium: 275mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 42g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*The post for Grape Pecan Chicken Salad was first published June 2010. The pictures were updated August 2021 and the post was republished April 2023.
Sue
I love this salad. Been making it for years. Only thing different, I add chopped red onion.
patricia hill mclaughlin
thanks for answering my question about onion.
Barbara
DELICIOUS. My only change was in using tarragon instead of dill, just because that's what I had on hand. I move in a circle of friends where we "take a dish" to gatherings often. This will definitely be in the top 4 or 5 "go to" items to bring. Thank you Jocelyn.
Jennifer Jones
I wanted to make this for dinner tonight. Will it be ok if I don't refrigerate it for the 2 hours?
Jocelyn
It is fine to eat as soon as you make it. There have been plenty of times we just started digging in right away. Refrigerating it just helps to chill it and blend the flavors together a little more.
KK Toohey
I have been making this salad for many years and vary it with cashews and red AND green grapes. Mostly because of more colour. Serving on lettuce leaves also seems to be a big hit.
Sandi H.
Can use hard boiled eggs instead of chicken for a vegetarian version!
Jocelyn
You could...but then it would be egg salad.
Judi
????????????
Rick
How long do you think this would keep in the fridge?
Jocelyn
I think it would be fine for a few days. It usually disappears within 2-3 days at our house, so I don't know how it is after that.
Sharon
I also add cooked pasta to this, makes a great lunch or dinner salad.
caitlin
I just made this today and I love it! I am obsessed with dill 🙂 I also added a green apple,and some chia seeds. I also substituted half the mayo for fat free greek yogurt.
Baxter'sMom
I sometimes substitute drained mandarin orange slices or small cubes of Fuji apples for grapes; have always loved chicken salad with just celery and pecans, too.
Kentuckylady717
Love your blog, and this chicken salad sounds great....
Evelyn @ Hanging by a Silver Lining
Oooo! I always love your pictures! The ones of you in your headband on the above post are just lovely! How brave to post yourself! 🙂
Angela
I am going to try adding sour cream...that looks great!
Sienna
yum... thanks for linking up 🙂
kirsten michelle
Ooh, I'm going to have to try this. I've be so addicted to chicken salad sandwiches since I've been pregnant. The recipe we've been using is very simple (but delicious), but this looks like something I'm going to have to try. Thanks for sharing!!
Adie
I LOVE chicken Salad! Yummy, a must try (not to eat all of it ;))
April@The 21st Century Housewife
What a lovely light chicken salad recipe - thank you for sharing it!
Erin
that looks yummy! I am going to have to make it!
Michelle
oh my! this sounds {and looks} so yummy!
amy lou
I love a good chicken salad. I'll be adding this to my list. I would like to make some now, but I'm at work.
I think you should keep the recipe link up and keep posting the things you make. It may take a few weeks for several entries, until people get used to it (or remember to do it) but I think it will be worth it.
I'll keep participating. :o)
Sara
This looks so good, I might try it!
Sienna
yummsters!! Thanks for linking up with What's for dinner wednesday!
Sienna@