Chicken Salad With Grapes And Almonds
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This savory-sweet chicken salad is delicious in a sandwich, scooped over greens, or eaten straight from the bowl.
Back in May, The Kitchn published a fun chicken salad showdown by Amelia Rampe, pitting recipes from The New York Times, Southern Living, Ina Garten, and The Pioneer Woman against one another in the name of finding the best chicken salad on the internet. Each recipe uses a different method for cooking the chicken, different mix-ins, and different dressings. The Pioneer Womans savory-sweet chicken salad with grapes, almonds, and dill was crowned the winner, with Ina Gartens recipe coming in a very close second. I loved both recipes, so I took what I liked from each, added a few touches of my own, and combined them into a version thats delicious on a sandwich, scooped over greens, or eaten straight from the bowl. This is the fun of cooking!
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.
Tips For Recipe Success
This salad recipe is super easy, but here are a few tips so that it turns out perfect every time!
- This recipe takes a total time of 10 minutes to whip up, but I like to refrigerate it for at least an hour to give the flavors a chance to come together.
- I dont recommend freezing chicken salad because the mayo will separate when defrosting. You can freeze the cooked chicken, then just defrost it in the refrigerator the day before you want to make the salad, and add the other fresh ingredients the day of.
- This is a great recipe to make-ahead at the beginning of the week for grab-and-go lunches, and my go-to when I have a busy schedule ahead. Youll never want to go back to store-bought chicken salad again!
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Poached Chicken For Chicken Salad
Poaching chicken breasts is one of the easiest ways to cook chicken, and takes very little time. Its also very flexible, in that you can season the poaching liquid in any sort of way, with whatever herbs and aromatics you have around. to see how to prepare perfect poached chicken breasts every time.
Poached Chicken Salad with Grapes: This old-school classic is a perfect lunch any time, any place. So simple to make, juicy and delicious.
Chicken Salads With Grapes
There are two camps when it come to chicken salad those who choose to forego grapes and those who couldn’t imagine having chicken salad without grapes. Personally, I fall within the latter camp, and let me tell you why: Grapes add a burst of sweet flavor in every bite of savory chicken salad. To me, grapes are an essential part of the chicken salad formula. Celery and nuts bring the crunch, chicken, mayo and mustard bring the savory, and grapes bring the sweet! Looking for chicken salad recipes with grapes? Lucky for you, we’ve curated a collection of favorite chicken salad recipes that feature juicy grapes, and sometimes other favorite ingredients like apples, walnuts, pecans, and more.
Curry powder has become a popular addition to chicken salad it’s gently sweet, earthy notes mingle perfectly with mild and creamy mayonnaise. Recipe creator Karen L. Baker suggests preparing this the day before to give the flavors time to meld together.
Sliced almonds, chopped celery, and sliced grapes add texture to this creamy chicken salad made with whipped cream for extra decadence and tang.
If you’re looking to switch up your standard chicken salad recipe, this is a great place to start. The addition of water chestnuts and Swiss cheese bring unique flavor and texture.
Diced red onions add bite to this otherwise sweet and fruity chicken salad made with grapes, apples, and honey mustard.
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Pro Tip #1 Salt The Chicken At The Right Time
- Salt the chickenwhen you bring it home from the store, but DO NOT salt before putting it into the Instant Pot. When you salt chicken before pressure cooking it, the salt will draw the moisture out of the chicken.But if you salt it 6 to 48 hours early, thanks to some chemistry, the salt will draw moisture out initially. But then the raw chicken will reabsorb the moisture and salt. When you cook the chicken, the juice and flavor are weaved throughout the whole piece of meat.
Extra Chicken Salad Sandwich Filling Ingredients
Chicken salad sandwiches are great with just the bread and salad, but I especially love to add extra ingredients for irresistible flavor and texture. Plus, many of these ideas also add nutrients. Here are some sandwich add-ons to try:
- Add sliced pickles for extra crunch.
- Im always a fan of avocado slices on my sandwich.
- Top the salad with lettuce for fresh flavor.
- Adding sprouts or pea shoots is a great way to add color, texture and nutrients.
- Bacon slices make any sandwich more delicious! Wouldnt you agree?!
- Add a slice of fresh juicy tomato. This is a must for me when we have garden tomatoes!
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Ways To Serve Chicken Salad With Grapes
- Go classic and make a sandwich with lettuce, sprouts, and red onion. Pair it with some whole wheat or whole grain bread. Make it open-faced to lighten things up.
- Try making a wrap using a low carb tortilla or wrap. Add a thin layer of Dijon mustard for some extra flavor and fresh baby spinach or arugula.
- For a low carb option, serve it on a bed of green with all your favorite veggies for a salad. You can also wrap it in lettuce wraps.
- For a fun appetizer, serve it on cucumber or apple slices. You can also serve it in some endive or butter lettuce leaves.
- Pack it up with your favorite crackers or pita chips, apple slices, and carrot sticks for a homemade “bistro” box.
How To Serve Chicken Salad
This chicken salad can be served so many ways!
Heres some ideas:
- It is delicious on its own , or with some cut veggies like celery, carrots, and cucumber
- In a bowl over salad greens with avocado
- On top of sweet potato toast
- With crackers or chips for dipping
- As a filling for a wrap
- And it makes the best chicken salad sandwiches!
We love how portable it is for road trips, picnics, family gatherings, parties, and camping. Just grab whatever you want to serve it with, pop it into a sealed container in a cooler and youre set for a delicious, filling lunch or dinner!
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How Long Is Chicken Salad Good For
This simple chicken salad will last in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Just keep it in a sealed container when youre done serving.
If youre serving this chicken salad at a potluck or party it shouldnt be out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
And if its a hot summers day picnic, no longer than an hour. You can bring a cooler with ice or freezer packs to pop it into once everyone is done serving themselves. And you can always pull it back out if anyone wants seconds!
A Good Chicken Salad Recipe Without Eggs
I grew up eating chicken salad with eggs in it, and I do have a recipe for chicken salad with eggs⦠but, I wanted to leave them out of this recipe to really let the flavor of the grapes and walnuts shine through!
This chicken salad with grapes and walnuts recipe also uses all Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise which offers a tangier flavor profile that I think pairs better with the feta.
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Other Delicious Recipes To Enjoy
If you want a unique and delightful chicken salad that does not include mayonnaise, then try this recipe for Sweet Peach Chicken Salad. This is one that you will especially enjoy during fresh peach season! It is a pretty salad and is just perfect served on a croissant.
Here is a recipe for a fresh, crunchy, and flavorful broccoli and cauliflower salad. The dressing on this salad gives it a sweet and tangy flavor that makes it so delicious. It is great to serve as a side dish to any meal. It truly is the Best Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad Recipe!
For dessert, how about trying the Best Brownie Pie in the World. Mmmm! So Good! Or, try these Peanut Butter Cookies that are sure to be a hit.
For more spring and summer recipes sign up for our free picnic plan which includes:
- Recipes for yummy pimento cheese spread, a delicious potato salad, a refreshing lemonade punch, and the perfect summer pie!
- Fun ideas for how to include other meats, sides, and desserts into your picnic menu.
- Suggestions for how to prepare, store, and transport your items.
Enjoy and have a good day!
Karen
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How Long Can Chicken Salad Be Left Out
No matter the situation or circumstance, you never want to leave chicken sitting out for too long. This is especially important for multiple-serving dishes like a salad, as they are a popular party food and are easily forgotten on counters.
For most foods, the general rule of thumb is that a perishable item should not be in the danger zone for more than two hours. And by danger zone, this is usually at or just above room temperature. This time may vary depending on the temperature of the room.
Since this salad will be served cold, you should have a solid one hour before you need to pack it up . However, be sure to still check on the salad every now and then and use your best judgment. When it comes to chicken, most guests will appreciate the peace of mind it gives them if you refrigerate the salad after one hour.
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Classic Ways To Serve Chicken Salad
- Sandwich Some of my favorite breads for sandwiches are croissant, whole wheat bread, Hawaiian rolls, rye bread, slices of baguette, and crusty bread.
- Crackers- This is my ultimate favorite way to eat chicken salad. I take a handful of crackers and bowl of Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad. My favorite crackers to eat this with are multigrain. They have a delicious flavor and crunch to them.
- Stuffed Tomato- Hollow out a tomato and fill it with chicken salad.
- Wraps- I love making wraps and chicken salad is perfect for this. I usually load up the wrap with greens and salad, and its perfect for on the go lunches.
Yogurt Or Mayo: Which Is Better For Chicken Salad
A creamy, seasoned dressing is all you need to turn shredded chicken, crunchy celery, toasted walnuts or pecans, and grapes into an easy lunch or picnic staple. For this dressing, combine mayonnaise with either sour cream or plain yogurt. Regular or Greek yogurt can be used, although the regular yogurt will give the dressing a slightly thinner consistency.
Add more flavor to the dressing with Dijon mustard, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Because refrigeration can dull the flavor, make sure to taste and adjust the seasoning if you plan to serve this chicken salad straight from the fridge.
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Chicken Salad With Grapes And Pecans
Growing up, chicken salad wasnt really on my radar. I mean, we had plenty of other mayo-based salads, like tuna salad and egg salad, but never a chicken with mayo-style salad.
I was much older when I tried it for the first time at little restaurant near my dads Lake Erie cottage.
This restaurant was well known for two things: the most amazing thick, hand cut French fries and the very BEST chicken salad recipe. I totally fell in love with it!
No joke after trying it just once, I ordered their chicken grape salad croissant nearly every time we visited. Oh, and they had the most drool-worthy homemade pies, too!
Yeah, I may have gained a few pounds that summer, LOL
Pro Tip #3 Do Not Overcook The Chicken
- DO NOT OVERCOOK THE CHICKEN. Yes, I shouted that at you. Too many recipes out there have you cooking the chicken for too long. Sure, you want the chicken cooked to a safe temperature. However, cooking it to 165°F will leave you with dry chicken.The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service has guidelines that shows that TIME + TEMPERATURE = SAFE CHICKENThis means if you hold the chicken at a lower temperature for longer, the chicken is as safe to eat as if you had cooked it to a higher temperature. Think about it. Sous vide cooking recommends cooking chicken to 145-150°F. If sous vide cooking is safe, then the time and temperature equation is true.
Time + Temperature = Safely Cooked Chicken
USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
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How To Toast Pecans
To toast pecans for this Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans, you have two options: In the oven or on the stovetop .
Oven: Preheat the oven to 325°F. While that warms up, line a large sheet pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Spread the nuts in a single, not-too-crowded layer, on the prepared sheet pan. Bake until the nuts begin to smell fragrant and appear slightly browner about 5 to 8 minutes.
Stovetop: Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Spread the nuts in a single layer. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 3 to 6 minutes or until the nuts are fragrant and lightly toasted.
Allow the toasted nuts to cool enough to handle chop into small pieces to add 1 cup to this chicken salad recipe with grapes and pecans, then transfer the rest to an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to two weeks or freeze in a freezer-safe zip-top bag for up to four months.
Low Carb Serving Ideas#
Salad- This is one of the healthiest ways to serve chicken salad. I like to pile up hearty serving of spring mix, and top it with chicken salad with grapes. No dressing needed because the chicken salad takes place of that.Stuffed Pepper- Hollow out a pepper and fill it with chicken salad. This gives the salad an extra crunch.Stuffed Avocado- I love avocados and any excuse to eat one, count me it. An avocado goes really well with this salad.Lettuce Wrap- This is one of my favorite go to healthy options. Wrap a helping of chicken salad in a lettuce leaf is perfect for on the go lunches that are low carb.
I hope that gives you some great options for serving your chicken salad. If you have a favorite serving suggestion that I missed, I would love for you to leave me a comment and let me know so I can try it out the next time I make this delicious chicken salad recipe.
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Easy Chicken Salad Recipe With Grapes And Pecans
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This delicious chicken salad with grapes and pecans is quick, delicious, and satisfying A simple 6-ingredient recipe that makes the BEST chicken salad sandwich!
This is a sponsored conversation on behalf of The Coca-Cola Company all opinions and text are my own. Thanks for supporting me and the brands I love!
How To Store Chicken Salad With Grapes And Pecans
This is one salad recipe that actually gets better over time! Well, a limited time. Feel free to mix it up the night before you plan to share it the flavors meld beautifully and after a night of “marinating” in the fridge. Store this Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. Freezing is not recommended.
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How To Lighten Up A Chicken Salad
I am always trying to find a way to lighten up traditionally mayo-based salads. It’s quite easy, actually! I make the dressing with sour cream or Greek yogurt with a minimal amount of mayo, just for the creamy texture. If you ever made a creamy pasta salad using only sour cream, you noticed that after chilling it for a few hours, the salad is not creamy anymore. To keep the desirable texture, you need a little bit of mayo. For a 3/4 cup of dressing, I used only 2 tablespoons of mayo. You don’t have to use the classic mayo either. Right now there are a lot of healthier options in most stores. I am a big fan of organic mayo and avocado mayo.
What To Serve With Chicken Salad
This recipe is very filling, so we typically keep our sides easy and minimal. We just purchase a large bunch of grapes and serve what we dont use in the salad alongside of our sandwich.
Another simple option is pretzel chips. Theyre always a great addition to sandwiches, and you can grab a huge bag of them for a steal at Sams Club. Im ALL about no-cook summer meals made simple, and this is about as easy as it gets!
Need something a little more hearty to round out your meal? A pasta salad is always a good choice! Try this delicious lemony orzo salad or this old fashioned macaroni salad.
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