I first remember seeing grapes in a chicken salad in college. I had gone out to lunch with my roommates to celebrate the end of the year at a fancy (for us at the time) restaurant and Chicken salad with grapes and almonds was on the menu!

It was delicious and I’ve been using grapes and almonds in my chicken salad ever since. The grapes add a refreshing and slightly sweet bite and the almonds a nice nutty crunch. 

It’s an easy summer or early fall lunch or dinner. For a light dinner, we’ll have it on a ciabatta roll or on top of a mixed greens salad.

What You Will Need to Make It

Roast Chicken

You can roast a chicken or a few chicken breasts, or pick up a rotisserie chicken from your grocery store to make it super easy. I love using a rotisserie chicken especially when I’m short on time. 

Grapes

Green grapes are my favorite in this recipe. I find that they are refreshing and juicy, which is perfect for this salad. 

Grapes, even green grapes, are full of antioxidants that help support brain and heart health and reduce inflammation. Another great reason to include them in this salad!

Celery

An integral part of a cold, protein-based salad, celery adds a nice crunch and helps increase the volume of the salad without adding a lot of calories. 

Celery also adds fiber, vitamin C, antioxidants, and some potassium. These nutrients help with digestion and may help reduce inflammation.  

Almonds

One of the best nuts for brain health and heart health, almonds have been shown to help reduce LDL Cholesterol levels, the kind of cholesterol that clogs your arteries and may help with memory and learning. 

I really love the flavor and crunch they add to this salad!

Onions

A sweet Vidalia onion is delicious in this salad. While it has a little bite to it, Vidalia onions aren’t overpowering. 

Mayonnaise

Real mayonnaise! The salad dressing like mayo is just too sweet for this salad so definitely use the real thing. I like the one that is made with olive oil. It adds a rich flavor to my recipes and is the one I use most often but a regular mayonnaise is also good. 

Tarragon

Dried or fresh, tarragon adds a bit of an anise flavor to this salad, which is a nice change. If you want some extra crunch, you could chop fennel and fennel fronds and add them, but I think the tarragon adds just enough flavor.

How to Make it

This salad is super easy to make and making it ahead allows the flavors to sink in and blend. 

Step 1 – Shred the Chicken

Shredded chicken is best in this, and really any salad or soup. Not having sharp edges and having irregular pieces allows the dressing to get into all those nooks and crannies. It also makes it prettier and easier to eat. 

If you are using a rotisserie chicken I find it easiest to chill the chicken as soon as you get home and once it is cooled, then shred it. If you are short on time and need to handle it when it is hot it may be better to cut in instead of shredding.  

Step 2 – Prep the Vegetables

Chop the celery, dice the onion, and halve or quarter the grapes. 

Step 3 – Mix all the Ingredients 

In the final step, simply put everything in a medium to large bowl and mix. You may want to add some salt and pepper for some ext

Once it is mixed you can enjoy it right away or put it in the fridge to chill until you are ready to serve it.

Chicken salad with grapes and almonds is a light dinner on a hot summer night, perfect for a luncheon with friends. You can also pack it up and take it with you on a hike or picnic. 

Variations

There are a ton of variations you could make with this chicken salad with grapes and almonds.

• Use red grapes instead of green. They would add a pop of color and some people feel they are sweeter.
• Add apples for some crunch
• Swap the almonds with walnuts or hazelnuts

Storage Tips

Place any leftover salad in a reusable, sealed container and store it in the refrigerator for 2- 3 days. You will have to stir it a bit before serving as some water may separate from the dressing.

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Shrimp with Pesto Pasta Salad