Classic Homemade Chicken Salad with Grapes & Apples

Discover the ultimate recipe for a truly delightful and versatile Homemade Chicken Salad. This classic dish features tender, succulent chicken enveloped in a rich, creamy mayonnaise-based dressing, perfectly balanced with the sweet crunch of fresh grapes and crisp apples. Ideal for a quick lunch, a satisfying dinner, or efficient meal prep, our easy-to-follow recipe is designed for maximum flavor and minimal effort. Using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken makes preparation incredibly simple, allowing you to enjoy this wholesome, make-ahead meal without the fuss.

If you’re searching for a simple, yet incredibly satisfying meal, this healthy chicken salad recipe is an absolute winner. Whether you opt for convenient rotisserie chicken or repurpose leftover cooked chicken, you’ll love how easily it comes together. Loaded with nutrient-dense fruits and crisp vegetables, this incredible chicken salad with mayo offers a fantastic blend of high protein, healthy fats, and controlled carbohydrates. It’s a wonderful addition to various diets when enjoyed in moderation, offering both flavor and fuel.

Looking to explore more refreshing salad creations? Don’t miss my Greek Salmon Salad for a Mediterranean twist or try the comforting Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe for another easy meal idea.

Why This Chicken Salad with Grapes and Apples Will Become Your Go-To Recipe

Our homemade chicken salad isn’t just a recipe; it’s a solution for delicious, convenient, and healthy eating. Here’s why it deserves a permanent spot in your culinary rotation:

• It’s Wholesome and Balanced: Packed with high-quality protein from chicken, fresh vitamins from apples and grapes, and a satisfying crunch from celery and almonds, this salad is a nutritional powerhouse. It’s naturally low in carbs and gluten-free, making it an excellent choice for a balanced diet that supports your wellness goals. Each bite delivers a burst of flavor alongside essential nutrients, contributing to a truly healthy meal.
• Budget-Friendly and Smart: This recipe champions smart cooking by utilizing affordable rotisserie chicken or easily repurposing any leftover cooked chicken you might have. Paired with common fridge staples like apples, grapes, and celery, it’s an economical way to create a gourmet-tasting meal without breaking the bank. It also helps minimize food waste by giving new life to ingredients that might otherwise go unused.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: One of the biggest advantages of this chicken salad is its incredible suitability for meal prepping. Prepare a large batch at the beginning of the week, and you’ll have delicious, ready-to-eat lunches or dinners for up to five days. Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it maintains its freshness and flavor, making busy weekdays much simpler and ensuring you always have a healthy option on hand.
• Incredibly Versatile: Beyond its ease and health benefits, this chicken salad offers unparalleled versatility. Serve it in a myriad of ways – as a classic sandwich, a light wrap, scooped onto fresh lettuce leaves, or even as a flavorful dip. Its adaptable nature means you can enjoy it differently every day, keeping your meals exciting and far from mundane.

Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Chicken Salad

Crafting the perfect chicken salad starts with high-quality, fresh ingredients. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to create this delightful dish:

Creamy Mayo Dressing Ingredients

• Mayonnaise: The base of our rich and creamy dressing. Choose your favorite brand, whether it’s full-fat for maximum richness or a low-fat variety for a lighter touch. For an even healthier option, consider mayonnaise made with avocado oil or substitute some or all with plain Greek yogurt.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: This is a non-negotiable! Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens the entire salad, cutting through the richness of the mayonnaise and adding a vibrant, zesty flavor that bottled juice simply can’t replicate.
• Dijon Mustard: A tablespoon or two of Dijon mustard adds a subtle tang and depth to the dressing, enhancing the overall flavor profile without overpowering the other ingredients. It’s a classic secret for balancing rich dressings.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to bring out all the flavors. Adjust to your personal taste, starting with a half teaspoon of each and adding more as needed.

For the Flavorful Chicken Salad Mix

• Chicken: The star of the show! While any cooked chicken works beautifully, rotisserie chicken is highly recommended for its convenience and seasoned flavor. Simply cube it into bite-sized pieces for easy mixing and eating. If you don’t have rotisserie, baked or poached chicken breasts will also be excellent.
• Apples: Adding a delightful sweetness and a crisp texture, apples are crucial. Use your favorite variety—Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith (for a tarter kick) all work wonderfully. Ensure they are cored and chopped into small, uniform pieces.
• Grapes: Sweet, juicy, and bursting with flavor, seedless red grapes, halved, provide a beautiful color contrast and an irresistible sweetness. Green grapes are also a fantastic alternative if you prefer.
• Celery: Sliced celery is essential for that signature crunch and a refreshing, slightly peppery flavor that complements the creamy dressing and sweet fruits.
• Almonds: Sliced almonds introduce a wonderful nutty flavor and an extra layer of texture. Feel free to substitute with other nuts like pecans or walnuts if you have them on hand or prefer a different flavor.
• Green Onions: Chopped green onions (scallions) offer a mild, fresh onion flavor without the intensity of raw red or white onions. They add a subtle zing and vibrant green color.
• Fresh Parsley: A sprinkling of fresh chopped parsley adds a beautiful herbaceous note and brightens the salad with its clean, fresh flavor. Other fresh herbs like dill, basil, cilantro, or tarragon can also be used for varied flavor profiles.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Homemade Chicken Salad

Making this chicken salad is incredibly straightforward, perfect for even the busiest days. Follow these simple steps to create a dish that’s bursting with flavor and texture:

1. Prepare the Dressing: In a small mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Whisk these ingredients thoroughly until they are perfectly smooth and well combined. This ensures an even distribution of flavor throughout your salad. Set the dressing aside while you prepare the other components.

2. Assemble and Toss the Salad: Transfer all your prepared salad ingredients—the cubed chicken, chopped apples, halved grapes, sliced celery, sliced almonds, chopped green onions, and fresh parsley—into a large mixing bowl. Pour the freshly prepared creamy dressing over these ingredients. Gently toss everything together using a spatula or large spoon until every piece is evenly coated with the dressing. Ensure no ingredient is left undressed for a harmonious flavor.
3. Serve and Enjoy: Your delicious homemade chicken salad is now ready to be enjoyed! While it’s fantastic served immediately, refrigerating it for at least 2 hours allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating an even more cohesive and irresistible taste experience. Serve it as a hearty sandwich filling on toast, in lettuce wraps, or simply as a scoop on its own.

Expert Tips & Creative Variations for Your Best Chicken Salad

Elevate your homemade chicken salad to new heights with these handy tips and exciting variations:

• Uniformity is Key: For the best texture and to ensure every bite is balanced, make sure to cut your chicken, apples, and celery into roughly bite-sized, uniform pieces. This creates a more pleasant eating experience.
• Chicken Alternatives: No rotisserie chicken on hand? No problem! Simply cook boneless, skinless chicken breasts by boiling, baking, or grilling. Once cooked, allow them to cool completely before cubing them into desired pieces. This flexibility makes the recipe accessible anytime.
• Fruit Preparation: When it comes to the fruit, be precise. Chop apples into small cubes and halve or even quarter your grapes, especially larger ones. This prevents overly large pieces from dominating a bite and ensures the fruit integrates seamlessly with the other ingredients.
• Lighten Up Your Dressing: If you prefer a lighter version, opt for low-fat mayonnaise. Alternatively, you can swap out some or all of the mayonnaise for plain Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt adds a tangy creaminess and a boost of protein, making the salad even healthier.
• Enhance the Flavor: For an extra layer of savory depth, consider adding a dash of celery salt to the dressing. A pinch of garlic powder or onion powder can also subtly amplify the overall taste without overwhelming the fresh ingredients.
• Nutty Substitutions: While almonds provide a great crunch, feel free to experiment with other nuts. Toasted pecans or walnuts offer a different, yet equally delicious, texture and flavor profile that pairs beautifully with chicken and fruit.
• Sweet and Tangy Add-ins: For a burst of tartness and a chewy texture, stir in a handful of dried cranberries or golden raisins. Be mindful that these additions will increase the carbohydrate and sugar content of the salad.
• Herbaceous Freshness: Fresh parsley adds a wonderful brightness, but don’t limit yourself! Experiment with other fresh herbs like dill for a savory note, basil for a sweet aroma, cilantro for a vibrant zest, or tarragon for a subtle anise flavor. Each herb will impart a unique character to your salad.
• The Power of Chilling: For optimal flavor development, it’s highly recommended to refrigerate your chicken salad for at least two hours before serving. This allows the dressing to fully meld with the chicken, fruits, and vegetables, creating a more harmonious and delicious taste.

Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Chicken Salad

Explore More Delicious Chicken Salad Recipes

If you loved this classic chicken salad, you’ll certainly enjoy exploring these other fantastic chicken salad variations:

• Greek Chicken Salad
• Autumn Chopped Chicken Salad
• Healthy Buffalo Chicken Salad
• Grilled Mediterranean Chicken Salad

I genuinely hope you enjoy creating and savoring this delightful Homemade Chicken Salad recipe. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly special and satisfying. Please give it a try, experience its wonderful flavors, and don’t forget to share your experience!

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Homemade Chicken Salad

By: Mariam Ezzeddine

This homemade chicken salad recipe has all the classic flavors you love, including a mayonnaise-based dressing. Rotisserie chicken makes this make-ahead dish super simple, and we’ve also loaded this chicken salad with grapes and apples, so it’s packed with goodness.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

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Ingredients

For the Dressing

• ¾ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

For the Salad

• 2 cups rotisserie chicken, cubed into bite-size pieces
• 2 cups apples, cored and chopped
• 2 cups seedless red grapes, halved
• ⅓ cup celery, sliced
• ⅓ cup sliced almonds
• 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Prepare the dressing by combining mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Mix until well combined, and set it aside.
2. In a large bowl, arrange all the salad ingredients (chicken, apples, grapes, celery, almonds, green onions, and parsley). Pour the prepared dressing over them and toss until everything is thoroughly combined.
3. Serve the salad as desired, perhaps on toast, in a wrap, or as a lettuce cup filling, to enjoy.

Notes

• Ensure the chicken is cut into bite-sized pieces for easy eating.
• If you don’t have rotisserie chicken, simply cook chicken breasts, cool them, and then cube them.
• Chop the apples into small pieces and halve or quarter the grapes.
• For a lighter option, use low-fat mayonnaise or substitute some or all of it with plain Greek yogurt.
• Boost the flavor even more with a dash of celery salt.
• Feel free to substitute pecans or walnuts for the almonds for a different nutty flavor.
• For added sweetness and chewiness, incorporate a handful of dried raisins or cranberries, keeping in mind they will add carbs and sugar.
• Fresh parsley brightens the salad; consider other fresh herbs like dill, basil, cilantro, or tarragon for variety.
• For the best flavor, refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to fully develop.

Nutrition

Calories: 456 kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 1142mg | Potassium: 344mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 356 IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg