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.
mindykeith
i made this last week i use the 1cup of dill and all i tasted was dill i did not taste the chicken or the rest of the stuff in it .i think 1 cup of dill is too much so i am going to use less dill.but other then that its a good sumer dishes .
Jocelyn
Did you use fresh or dried dill? Dried dill is way more potent than fresh, so you only use a 1/3 of the amount. If it was fresh, did you pack it in the measuring cup? Other than those two things, it could just be a preference thing. Most people love it this way, but you many need to adjust the amount to your taste.
Jennifer
I have the same problem. I used 1/3 the amount because I used dried drill, and it is still overwhelming. Any ideas for how to salvage it?
Jocelyn
I think dill is one of those flavors that some people are more sensitive to. There are a couple of options that you can do to salvage the recipe though. Dill actually loses it's flavor the longer it sits, so it may taste better to you after refrigerating it overnight. The other options would be to add more of the other ingredients (chicken, grapes, pecans, mayo, sour cream) to tone down the dill flavor. Or the acid in vinegar can actually mask and neutralize the dill flavor, so you could stir in 1-2 Tablespoons of vinegar into the chicken salad now and see how it tastes to you. I hope one of those tips helps. Please keep me posted on what you do.
Brian Brock
Could I substitute Greek yogurt for the sour cream?
Jocelyn
Yes, you can. We do that sometimes too!
Jean kirschenheiter
Hello, I'd like to make this for occasions and gatherings. How do I double the amount of food? And what kind of bread do you recommend? Thank you very much.
Jocelyn
To double this recipe, just use 2 times the amount shown in the recipe. Or just make the recipe twice. As for the bread, I honestly think this chicken salad is amazing on just about anything. Depending on the occasion, maybe a crescent roll would be nice. For picnics, a heartier roll holds up well. I hope that helps. Feel free to ask any other questions.
Margaret Whiteside
I made this for the first time. I left out the dill, but added a little lemon juice squeezed into it. I honestly think that instead of mayonnaise, you could use Miracle Whip. I added purple grapes, toasted Pecans, celery, used rotisserie chicken from my local market, Duke's Mayonnaise (which I prefer to any other brand), black pepper, and a little salt. My daughter has taken it to work for her lunch for two days on whole wheat bread with the potato salad I made. She loves it, and so do I. Will be trying out different things in it. Love it!
Nicole
Thank you!!
Nicole
Does anyone have any recommendations to substitute for the sour cream that doesn't have any dairy ingredients??
Jocelyn
You can also just use all mayo or any dairy free ranch dressing alternative in place of the sour cream. I hope that helps.
Patricia Smith
I use lactose free sour cream
Bonita
I use Tuna in place of the chicken & it's delicious...omitting the dill...love it..
Pam
Can Miracle Whip be used instead of mayo?
Jocelyn
Yes, you can use spread in this that you like best. I hope you enjoy the chicken salad!
Karen Cooksey
This looks yummy! I would probably roast the pecans just a smidgen and use a light olive oil based mayo and light sour cream! Fresh dill is my favorite and I five shelves of spices growing on a rack on my patio that prosper well in a southern climate! You have great ideas & recipes- thanks so much for sharing!
Cleo
If you make this , can you freeze these , if you want to save some for later? Has anyone tried to freeze these?
Jocelyn
I don't recommend freezing this at all because of the sour cream and mayo. It would be better to just modify the recipe to only make what you can eat.
Teri Cranson
Being lactose intolerant with GERD issues, I am wondering if using a Lactose free Cottage Cheese rather than mayo or other such oily dressings would be acceptable. I would probably also include sunflower seed or sliced/toasted almonds for added crunch... I would also have to use either lettuce wraps, or some whole grain bun or flatbread with mine. I could see this with shredded carrots or dried apricots as well. To avoid unknown seasonings that may affect my GERD issues, I would probably roast my own bird, simple enough to do at home and probably less costly than purchasing pre cooked one... and use the carcass of course, to make soup or chicken & dumplings afterward. Just wondering if any else has any tips on these sort of recipes for those w/ GERD... I've dropped from a size 18 to an 8 over the past year as a result of this issue... added to stage iv breast cancer, so I am trying to keep up my strength!
Beverly
How r u doing healthwise right now?
Glenna
I make this, only instead of dill, I add a bit of Poppyseed Dressing with a bit less mayo and sour cream. The result is awesome!
Laurie Schmeltzer
Is 1 cup of dill correct? It seems like a lot of dill.
Jocelyn
Yes, it is correct. When you use fresh herbs, you can always use more. I felt that way at first too, but tried it and found out it was surprisingly amazing!!
Gayle Shannon
It is WAY too much dill. I used 3 tablespoons (approximately) and that was enough dill.
Jocelyn
Did you use fresh or dried dill??? Dried dill is very concentrated and you will only use a little. Fresh dill is very different in the fact that you use more.
Kim
I used a1/4 cup dried dill weed was that too much?
Jocelyn
Not at all. The ratio for switching fresh to dried is 1/3, so you could actually use 1/3 cup dried and it would still be awesome! I hope you enjoy the flavor of this chicken salad!
kathly cooper
I will use this recipe but will use only mayo as I do not like sour cream or yogurt. I think it will be ok as I have done this with other recipes. Going to the store later and will get the supplies to make it. I live alone, so I guess I
will have a lot of left overs. But, you know, some food tastes better the next
day.
Andrea
Kathly, I don’t like yogurt either but I have a pasta dressing recipe that asks for greek style mixed with mayo. You can’t even tell it’s there except for the tanginess. But I know everyone has a different palate.
Lisa Frey
What kind of mayonnaise do you use? Kraft? Hellmans?
Jocelyn
Honestly, I usually just buy whatever is one sale or the store brand.
Kelly
Hellmans.
Willsie
This looks amazing - I would like to make for someone who has a mayo phobia (everyone has a quirk, right?) and was thinking of subbing out the mayo in favor of greek yogurt...any thoughts?
Jocelyn
I have subbed out the sour cream for Greek yogurt before, but still had the mayo. I think it would be fine. What about using some Ranch dressing too?
Cynthia
Would like to make this today. Can o use canned Kirkland Boneless Chicken Breast?
Jocelyn
I have never made this particular one with canned chicken, but I'm sure it would be fine. We usually buy a rotisserie chicken from Sam's and use that. I hope you enjoy the salad.
Yvonne
Love this salad. I also add dried cherries and apples. Haven't tried it with dill.
Kelly
The dill is very good with this chicken salad, and i must say you can eat it just after making it, although, much better cold. I have also used cranberry raisins and some finely diced red onion. It is a fantastic recipe that is very versatile, also can add crumbled bacon just before serving!!
Ruth
A couple of bistros over the years have served this sandwich. It's been called Martha's Favorite and Turkey Delight. I like it served on a croissant roll. Very good and refreshing. The grapes add a little sweetness.
Rosemary figueroa
Live chicken salad finally got a recipe seems easy I do to own how to cook...yum can't wait