This Chicken Salad with Grapes is delicious, easy to make, and perfect for summer. Start with rotisserie chicken, add some crunchy walnuts & celery, sweeten it with grapes & toss with some light mayo. Simply put it all in a chopper or food processor and lunch is on the table in less than 15 minutes.
Rotisserie Chicken Salad with Grapes
Chicken Salads are always a light and easy lunch or snack, especially during the hot days of summer. This recipe uses a store-bought rotisserie chicken to get it on the table fast and, the best part, there's no need to turn on the oven.
Rotisserie chicken makes so many deliciously easy dishes like Chicken Enchiladas, Chicken Noodle Soup, and Chicken Broccoli Casserole but this Chicken Grape Walnut Salad has to be the easiest recipe ever!
Why You Will Love This Chicken Grape Walnut Salad
I have to say that sometimes chopping all the ingredients for a salad recipe is just too much extra work. The great part about this chicken salad is no chopping is needed. Just put it all in your trusty food processor. And, if you're like me, the thought of not having to chop onions gets me excited. lol
This chopped chicken salad has the consistency of a spread and is perfect for making chicken salad sandwiches or as an appetizer with crostini or crackers.
Healthy Chicken Salad with Grapes and Walnuts
Not only is it easy to make but healthy too!
- Chicken delivers its lean protein.
- Nuts have rich antioxidants
- Grapes lend sweetness and plenty of fiber and vitamins
- Light mayonnaise keeps it lower in calories and fat.
You can also opt to use either plain Greek yogurt or avocado for a less calorie, saturated fat alternative.
How much protein is in chicken salad with grapes? For this recipe, a serving has 19 grams of protein.
FYI - The recipe card below shows this chicken salad with grapes and walnuts nutrition facts.
Recipe Ingredients
- Chicken - rotisserie chicken is the quickest and easiest to use but you can also use leftover or canned chicken or turkey in its place.
- Celery - adds a moist crunch to the salad
- Onion - give a little bite to the finished salad
- Walnuts - not only give the salad crunch but healthy fats and protein.
- Grapes - bring sweetness to the salad
- Mayonnaise - holds the salad together with a nice creamy texture
- Salt and Pepper - enhances the flavor of all the ingredients
What type of chicken is best for chicken salad?
I like to use rotisserie chicken to make this as quick as possible. You can also use leftover chicken or canned chicken. As for the type of meat, white or dark or even a combination of the two is fine.
How to Make Chicken Salad with Grapes and Nuts
- Place all ingredients except mayonnaise into a food chopper or food processor.
- Blend until smooth.
- Place in a bowl and add mayonnaise.
- Stir until smooth and all ingredients are moist.
Serve this chicken salad with walnuts and grapes on a bed of lettuce, spinach, or greens then garnish with a sprinkle of walnuts on top. Let the family make it into delicious sandwiches with lettuce and a slice of tomato or serve as is with sides of grapes and cucumber slices.
Recipe Tips and Ingredient Substitutions
- Don't like grapes? Try subbing apples, pineapple, mandarin oranges, dried cranberries, or cherries.
- Walnuts not on your favorite list? Pecans, almonds, and cashews pair just as well with chicken.
- Allergic to nuts? Make a chicken salad without nuts and use pepitas or sunflower seeds instead.
- Not big on mayonnaise or want to cut calories? Try using a mashed avocado or plain Greek yogurt.
- Like a little spice in your life? Add a dash of garlic powder or cayenne or throw in some jalapenos or pickles.
- How about seasoning for chicken salad with grapes? Add curry, dill, or tarragon for extra flavor.
- Do you put eggs in chicken salad? You can add a hard-boiled egg if you want a chicken salad with eggs.
How to Serve Chicken Salad
Here are some common questions about serving chicken salad:
- Can I make a chicken salad sandwich with it? Yes! Use a croissant or your favorite sandwich bread and make a sandwich with lettuce and tomato.
- What can I eat with chicken salad instead of bread? Keep it low carb and make a wrap with lettuce leaves.
- Can I make a "chicken salad" salad? Yes! Serve it on lettuce or salad greens with some cherry tomatoes and sliced cucumber.
- Can I make it an appetizer? Yes! Make a platter and serve with crackers or crostini.
What to Serve with Chicken Salad with Walnuts and Grapes
Wondering what food goes well with chicken salad? Here are some ideas for accompaniments and side dishes:
- Dill Pickle Spears
- Garlic Bread
- Potato Chips
- Roasted Broccoli
- Tomato Basil Soup
How to Store Chicken Salad
Store the chicken salad in an airtight container and keep it refrigerated.
How long does chicken salad last?
This chicken salad will keep 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, tightly covered.
Can I freeze chicken salad?
I don't recommend freezing as the mayonnaise will separate during the thawing process.
More Lunch or Light Dinner Salad Options
- Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad with grilled bell peppers, spinach, and balsamic dressing.
- Chicken Mandarin Salad is a delicious noodle bowl with nuts, fresh herbs, and vegetables.
- Peach Basil Chicken Salad from An Affair From the Heart
- Fall Chicken Salad with apples, pecans, and apple cider vinaigrette.
- Gorgonzola Pear Salad with walnuts, cranberries, and raspberry dressing.
Find even more salad recipes here on 2CM!
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Chicken Salad with Grapes and Walnuts
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, roughly chopped (rotisserie chickens work great)
- 1 stalk celery, cut into 4 lengths
- ¼ cup onions, roughly chopped or broken up
- ¼ cup walnuts
- ⅓ cup red grapes
- Salt & pepper to taste
- ½ cup mayonnaise
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in your chopper or food processor, celery on bottom and grapes on top and chop in quick bursts until your desired consistency is reached.
Notes
- Don't like grapes? Try subbing apples, pineapple, mandarin oranges, dried cranberries or cherries.
- Walnuts not on your favorite list? Pecans and sliced almonds pair just as well with chicken.
- No big on mayonnaise or want to cut calories. Try using a mashed avocado or plain Greek yogurt.
- Like a little spice in your life? Add a dash of garlic powder or cayenne or throw in some jalapenos or pickles.
Nutrition
This post has been updated with new photos and step-by-step instructions. It was first published on January 6, 2016.