Simple Chicken Salad With Grapes

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 09/6/22
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 15 mins
Servings: 4 servings

Chicken salad bursts with sweet flavor when you add juicy grapes to a classic recipe. Simply flavored with mayo, salt, and pepper, and studded with celery, sliced scallion, and halved grapes, this chicken salad is perfect for serving on top of lettuce or in between toasted bread.

Feel free to use either red or green seedless grapes, and vary the flavor by adding a dash of curry powder, halved grape tomatoes, and chopped nuts such as almonds, pecans, walnuts, or even pistachios.

This recipe makes a satisfying no-cook dinner on a hot summer evening or a light but filling entrée for an upscale picnic. A chicken salad sandwich also makes an excellent lunch with a cup of soup on the side.

Simple chicken salad with grapes

The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups skinless chicken, cut into 1/2-inch cubes or shredded

  • 1/2 cup finely chopped celery, with leaves

  • 1 scallion, retaining about 2 inches of green and cut crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick slices

  • 3 to 4 tablespoons mayonnaise, adjust as needed for desired consistency

  • Salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • 12 red or green seedless grapes, halved

  • 1 dash curry powder, or to taste

  • Grape tomatoes, optional

  • Chopped nuts, toasted, optional

  • Lettuce, for serving, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for simple chicken salad with grapes recipe gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

  2. Combine the diced or shredded chicken, chopped celery, and scallion slices with 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise in a large bowl. Toss to evenly distribute the ingredients.

    Shredded chicken, chopped celery, and scallion slices with mayonnaise in a large bowl

    The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

  3. Add more mayonnaise, if desired, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

    Salt and pepper added to the chicken salad

    The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

  4. Add the halved grapes and curry powder, tomatoes, and nuts if using. Toss gently to combine.

    Grapes and other mix-ins added to the chicken salad

    The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

  5. Mound the salad on greens or lettuce leaves for a light and delicious lunch or dinner salad.

    Simple chicken salad with grapes

    The Spruce Eats / Maxwell Cozzi

Recipe Variations

  • Instead of a scallion, use finely chopped red onion, sweet onion, or yellow onion for a stronger onion flavor.
  • Mix a teaspoon or two of freshly squeezed lemon juice or a tablespoon of Dijon mustard with the mayo for a more piquant flavor.
  • Add finely chopped kale for crunch or snip some fresh herbs into the bowl for a summery flavor. Try tarragon, basil, Italian flat-leaf parsley, or chives.
  • Make it a Waldorf-style salad with 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts, 1/4 cup dried cranberries, and 1/2 cup of diced apple along with the grapes.

Tips

  • For the easiest preparation, use a store-bought rotisserie chicken or leftover roasted chicken from dinner. You can also poach or grill chicken breasts yourself, but allow them to cool fully before you assemble the chicken salad.
  • Easily shred cooked chicken breasts using two forks or your hands, pulling strands apart along the grain. For best results, work with warm meat. You can also shred chicken with a food processor.
  • Store prepared chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
  • Use light mayonnaise to reduce the calorie and fat content.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
217 Calories
14g Fat
6g Carbs
16g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 217
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14g 18%
Saturated Fat 3g 14%
Cholesterol 53mg 18%
Sodium 296mg 13%
Total Carbohydrate 6g 2%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 16g
Vitamin C 3mg 14%
Calcium 23mg 2%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 248mg 5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)