Chicken Salad with Grapes

This easy homemade Chicken Salad with Grapes is the recipe that every Summer picnic needs! Shredded rotisserie chicken, grapes, mayo, mustard, hummus, pecans, and a few finishing touches are mixed together in this healthy gluten-free recipe. Serve as a sandwich or dip, or fill lettuce wraps for a low-carb option!

Chicken Salad Recipe with Grapes

There are so many different theories when it comes to making a homemade chicken salad.

Some grew up with apples, others with grapes, cranberries, or even raisins.

People make it with mayonnaise and mustard, while others add a pinch of curry powder.

But at the end of the day, one thing remains the same… this dish always has a place at the potluck or picnic table!

Eventually I will end up posting all of the different variations we make at home. But for today… we’re going traditional and making this healthy chicken sandwich with grapes!

Ingredients

There are a few basic ingredients that you will need for this recipe, many of which you probably already have on hand:

• Chicken – Cut cooked chicken into small bite sized pieces.
• Mayonnaise – Use a regular mayo such as Dukes or Hellmans. You can also use a Paleo-approved mayonnaise that is made with avocado oil if you prefer.
• Hummus – Plain or original flavor is best in this recipe. Feel free to substitute for more mayonnaise if you do not like hummus.
• Mustard – Dijon mustard gives a great flavor. Yellow mustard works great as well.
• Celery – Finely chopped is the way to go! It adds an amazing texture.
• Pecans – Toasting the pecans gives them a wonderful flavor and awesome crunch. You can also use toasted almonds, walnuts, or cashews instead. You can opt for cinnamon sugar pecans or savory spiced pecans, as well.
• Dill – This fresh herb is the secret ingredient to making this chicken salad so flavorful!
• Grapes – Be sure to get the seedless grapes. Either red or green will work equally as well.

Best Chicken for Chicken Salad

You might be wondering, “What kind of chicken should I use in this recipe?”

The easiest and best kind to get when making this homemade dish is a rotisserie chicken.

Using a rotisserie chicken will save you a lot of time. Plus, it is also loaded with flavor since you will use both dark and white meat.

One rotisserie chicken will generally give you between 4 and 5 cups of shredded chicken.

Expert Tip: Opt for a natural, or traditional, flavored rotisserie so as not to have any conflicting flavors.

However, if you have extra chicken breasts on hand you can also cook and shred some Instant Pot Chicken or Crock-Pot Chicken for this recipe.

How to Make

How to Serve

Chicken salad goes beyond just your typical sandwich and can be served in a variety of ways:

• Sandwich Bread:  The most iconic way to serve! Honey wheat, store-bought, your own gluten-free sandwich bread recipe, or white sandwich bread all pair amazingly well with homemade chicken salad.
• Lettuce Wrap: If you’re on a low-carb or keto diet, opt for a Bibb or butter leaf lettuce wrap.
• Croissant:  Take it up a notch and serve it like Jason’s Deli does — on a buttery croissant!
• Crackers: Serving it up at a party or picnic?  Sturdy crackers are great for scooping out a big bite of chicken salad.

Since this recipe is made with temperature sensitive ingredients (i.e. mayonnaise) do not let it sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours at a party or potluck.  If the ambient temperature is greater than 85-90 degrees do not let it sit out for more than 1 hour.

Meal Prep and Storage

• To Prep Ahead: This recipe can be made completely in advance. In fact, the flavors get better with time! To prevent a potentially runny texture, wait to add the celery until just before serving.
• To Store: Keep this easy chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can be stored for up to 3-4 days starting the day the chicken is cooked.
• To Freeze: Since mayonnaise generally separates after freezing and then thawing, freezing is not recommended.

Dietary Modifications

The recipe you’ll find below is already gluten-free and dairy-free as written. Here are some adjustments and substitutions you can make to help it fit your other dietary requirements.

• Keto and Low-Carb – Leave out the grapes. You can replace with more nuts if you’d like. Serve it in a lettuce wrap or with some Parmesan cheese whisps.
• Nut-free – Omit the nuts. To keep the crunchy texture add more celery.
• Whole30 – Make sure the mayo and mustard is Whole30 approved, and do not use the hummus.

FAQs – Chicken Salad

Expert Tips and Tricks

• Use a rotisserie chicken. Opt for a natural, or traditional flavor so as not to have any conflicting flavors.
• Chop small. Cut the chicken and grapes into small bite sized pieces. Finely dice the dill and celery. This ensures each bite has a little bit of everything!
• Wait to add celery until serving. The crisp veggie sometimes releases liquid as it sits and can cause the chicken salad to be runny.
• Practice safe food handling. Do not keep this recipe at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If the ambient temperature is greater than 85°-90° Fahrenheit do not let it sit out for more than 1 hour.

More Picnic Salad Recipes:

• Avocado Corn Salad
• Mediterranean Couscous Salad
• Homemade Southern Coleslaw
• Avocado Egg Salad
• Easy Broccoli Salad with Bacon