5.0 from 819 votes
Best Chicken Salad Recipe
We call this 'fancy' Chicken Salad but it's truly easy. Its a fresher and lighter version of classic creamy chicken salad and it keeps well so it’s great for meal prep. Try it on sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups, or with crackers for a quick snack. Plus, there are so many *variations for chicken salad so you can use what you have on hand.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 6 people as a side salad
Calories: 438 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Salad
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
Chicken Salad Ingredients:
- 1 lb cooked chicken breast meat 4 cups diced*
- 2 cups seedless red grapes halved
- 1 cup celery (from 2-3 sticks celery), cut in half lengthwise then sliced
- 1/2 cup red onion finely chopped (1/2 medium red onion)
- 1 cup pecans toasted and coarsely chopped
Chicken Salad Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp Dill finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Toast pecans on a dry skillet over medium/low heat and toast for 3-5 minutes, tossing frequently until golden and fragrant then transfer to a cutting board and coarsely chop and set aside to cool.
- Combine Salad Ingredients - In a large mixing bowl, combine diced chicken, halved grapes, sliced celery, chopped onion, and cooled pecans.
- Make the Dressing - In a small bowl, add all of the dressing ingredients and stir to combine.
- Add the dressing to the salad to taste and stir until the salad is evenly coated with dressing. Enjoy right away or cover and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- *You can make a roasted chicken, buy a rotisserie chicken, or you can sautee or bake chicken breasts.
- Nuts - leave them out or try walnuts, almonds, or cashews.
- Fruit - instead of grapes, try diced apples, pears or dried fruit like cranberries or raisins.
- Onion - try sweet Vidalia onion, or chives for milder onion flavor.
- Celery - swap with green apple, bell pepper or seeded diced cucumber.
- Canned Chicken - it will work but you’ll have the best texture when using fresh, cooked chicken.
Nutrition Information
Calories
438kcal
(22%)
Carbs
15g
Protein
22g
(44%)
Fat
33g
(51%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
13g
Monounsaturated Fat
12g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
71mg
(24%)
Sodium
398mg
(17%)
Potassium
453mg
(13%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
10g
(20%)
Vitamin A
236IU
(5%)
Vitamin C
6mg
(7%)
Calcium
65mg
(7%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6people as a side salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 438
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 438kcal | 22% |
| Carbs | 15g | |
| Protein | 22g | 44% |
| Fat | 33g | 51% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 13g | 76% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 71mg | 24% |
| Sodium | 398mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 453mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 10g | 20% |
| Vitamin A | 236IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 6mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 65mg | 7% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.