Simple Chicken Salad Recipe with Grapes and Walnuts 

There’s something special about a well made chicken salad grapes walnuts that just hits the spot. It’s one of those delicious foods  that manages to be both simple and sophisticated at the same time . When you add walnuts to the mix, you get a meal that’s not just tasty, but also packed with good ingredients.

Once you cook it in your parties everyone will enjoy it. This isn’t your ordinary sandwich filling. The magic happens when tender chunks of chicken meat, sweet, juicy grapes and the satisfying crunch of walnuts. It’s like having a party in your lunch box! If  you’re packing it for work, serving it at a family picnic, or throwing together a quick dinner, this healthy chicken salad grapes walnuts fits right in. grapes add natural sweetness without any guilt, and the walnuts pack both flavor and healthy fats. 

Plus, you can eat it your way  wrapped in lettuce leaves, piled high on whole grain bread, or simply enjoyed straight from the bowl with a fork. In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about making this versatile dish. 

From picking the perfect ingredients to mixing up different variations, we’ll cover all the tips and tricks to help you make the best chicken salad grapes walnuts you’ve ever tasted. Plus, we’ll share some clever serving ideas and storage tips to make your life easier.

Simple Chicken Salad Recipe with Grapes and Walnuts 

Recipe by SamiraCourse: SaladsCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Calories

250

kcal

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded

• 1 cup red or green grapes, halved

• 2–3 stalks celery, diced

• ½ cup chopped walnuts

• ¾ cup mayonnaise (or substitute with Greek yogurt)

• Salt and black pepper to taste

• Optional additions:
  

• 1 small apple, diced
  

• ¼ cup dried cranberries
  

• 2 tbsp fresh herbs (like dill or parsley)
  

• A squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Directions

• Prepare the Ingredients:
  Shred or dice the cooked chicken into bite-size pieces.
  Halve the grapes and dice the celery into small chunks.
  Chop walnuts into desired size.
• Combine in a Mixing Bowl:
  Add the chicken, grapes, celery, and walnuts to a large mixing bowl.
• Make it Creamy:
  Spoon in the mayonnaise or Greek yogurt. Add salt and black pepper to taste.
• Mix and Chill:
  Gently mix everything together until evenly coated.
  Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
• Serve:
  Enjoy wrapped in lettuce leaves, piled on whole-grain bread, or on its own as a refreshing meal.

Notes

• Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days.
• Serving Tips: Serve cold or let sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
• Variations: Substitute walnuts with pecans, almonds, or sunflower seeds for a different crunch.
  Add diced red onion or cucumber for extra texture.

Ingredients Overview 

I want to share what makes this chicken salad recipe with grapes and nuts work so well. Each ingredient brings something important to the mix, and once you understand why they work together, you’ll make great chicken salad grapes walnuts every time.

The Heart of the Salad

Starting with cooked chicken  I often use leftover roasted chicken or grab a rotisserie chicken from the store. Cut it into small, bite size pieces or shred it by hand. The chicken should be the star here, giving you something solid to bite into.

Fresh and Crunchy Stuff

Fresh celery is a must. It adds this clean crunch that makes each bite more interesting. Cut it small enough to get a little in each spoonful. This creamy chicken salad grapes walnuts also needs those sweet grape halves  they burst in your mouth and balance out the savory chicken. Red or green grapes both work great.

The Nutty Crunch

Chopped walnuts give you a different kind of crunch than celery, richer and more filling. Leave them in bigger pieces if you like to really taste them, or chop them smaller to spread the flavor around more.

Making It Creamy

Mayo holds everything together and makes it creamy. If you want something lighter, try Greek yogurt instead. I often mix both the richness from the mayo and the tanginess from the yogurt.

Mix It Up

Try adding:

• Chopped apple for more crunch
• Dried cranberries for little bursts of sweet tart flavor
• Thin Sliced red onion for zip
• Fresh herbs from your garden
• A squeeze of lemon to wake up all the flavors

Everything should be fresh, and don’t be afraid to adjust amounts to match what you like best.

Step by Step Recipe Instructions

This chicken salad grapes walnuts recipe takes about 20 minutes to put together. The hardest part is just chopping things up. Let me walk you through exactly how to make it.

Before You Start

Pull out a large mixing bowl and cutting board. Make sure your chicken is cooked if you just cooked it. This recipe makes enough for 46 servings.

Getting Your Ingredients Ready

First, deal with your chicken. If you’re using a rotisserie chicken, pull the meat off and either shred it with your fingers or cut it into bite size cubes. You’ll want about 3 cups of chicken.

Next, prep your fresh ingredients for chicken salad grapes walnuts:

• Cut your grapes in half (about 1 cup)
• Dice the celery into small pieces (23 stalks)
• Chop your walnuts if they aren’t pre chopped (1/2 cup)

Putting It All Together

1. Put your prepped chicken in the mixing bowl
2. Add your halved grapes, diced celery, and chopped walnuts
3. Spoon in about 3/4 cup mayo (or Greek yogurt)
4. Add a pinch of salt and some black pepper
5. Mix everything gently with a big spoon

Making It Perfect

This easy chicken salad grapes walnuts tastes even better if you let the flavors mix. Cover your bowl and put it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before eating.

Serving Ideas

• Scoop it onto fresh lettuce leaves
• Make sandwiches with toasted bread
• Serve it with crackers for a light lunch
• Pack it in a container for picnics

Quick Tips to chicken salad grapes walnuts

• Taste and adjust the mayo/yogurt amount, some like it creamier
• If it seems dry after chilling, add a little more mayo
• Keep it cold when serving outdoors
• Stays fresh in the fridge for 23 days

Remember to give everything a quick stir before serving, as the mayo might settle at the bottom.

Variations of Chicken Salad with Grapes and Walnuts

Let’s explore how you can switch up this classic chicken salad recipe with walnuts to match your taste or diet. These changes keep the basic idea but give you new flavors to try.

The Classic Version

The traditional recipe uses mayo as its base. This makes it creamy and rich, perfect for sandwiches or served on a bed of lettuce. Use about 3/4 cup mayo for every 3 cups of chicken. This version is what most people think of when they want chicken salad grapes walnuts.

Lighter Healthy Recipes Options

You can replace mayo with Greek yogurt for more protein and less fat and it’s a good choice. Using a mix of mayo and yogurt gives you the best of both delicious tastes  – half and half works great. For a fresher taste, try making a light dressing with olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs. Mashed avocado makes a creamy base that adds healthy fats to your meal.

Changing Up the Crunch

While walnuts are classic, you’ve got plenty of options. Switch to pecans for a sweeter, buttery crunch that goes perfectly with grapes. Sliced almonds give you a lighter nut flavor that lets other ingredients shine. Sunflower seeds offer something different while keeping that satisfying crunch. You can even mix different nuts together for a more interesting texture.

Fresh Mix-Ins

Make your salad more interesting with some creative additions. Diced apple brings a sweet crunch that works well with chicken . Dried cranberries make a great alternative to grapes as well, adding a tart-sweet flavor. Chopped pear gives a subtle sweetness that doesn’t overpower. Fresh herbs like dill or tarragon add bright flavors, while finely diced red onion brings a sharp bite.

The great thing about these changes is that you can mix and match them in a way you like the most. Try Greek yogurt with pecans one time, then mayo with cranberries the next you can try it in different ways to find your taste . Each version gives you a slightly different take on the basic recipe.

Health Benefits of Chicken Salad with Grapes and Walnuts

This healthy chicken salad grapes walnuts is more than a tasty meal. It’s packed with nutrients your body needs to stay strong and healthy so what can be better than a food that has everything you need.

Protein Power

Chicken gives your body essential protein, that it  helps you  build muscle and keeps you energized. One serving provides about 25% of your daily protein. No need to say it’s the best choice . Using lean chicken breast means you get all this protein without extra fat, making it perfect for a healthy lunch or light dinner.

Benefits from Nuts

Walnuts add essential fats that your body needs to be healthy. These fats help your brain work better and keep your heart healthy. The nuts also give you fiber for better digestion and help you feel full longer after eating.

Sweet and Nutritious

Adding grapes brings natural sweetness plus important vitamins. It’s a good ingredient to have in your meals . These little fruits pack vitamin C for a stronger immune system and contain natural compounds that protect your cells. They also help keep you hydrated and add a fresh taste without artificial sugars.

Fits Many Diets

This salad works well with different eating plans:

•  remove the bread for a gluten free meal
•  Use fat free mayo for paleo diets
•  Reduce grapes for low carb eating
•  Add more chicken for extra protein

Make It Even Better

Try these healthy swaps:

•  Use Greek yogurt instead of mayo
•  Add extra celery for more vegetables
•  Choose darker grapes for more nutrients
•  Mix in fresh herbs for extra flavor and health benefits

Storage Tips and Serving Suggestions

When stored properly, it stays fresh in your fridge for 3-4 days. Keep it in an airtight container and put it in the fridge within two hours of making it. The back of your fridge, where it’s coldest, works best.

Smart Storage Tips for chicken salad grapes walnuts

The key is keeping air and moisture out. Press plastic wrap directly on the salad’s surface before putting the lid on – this prevents the top from drying out. If you notice any liquid collecting, drain it off before stirring the salad. For best results, store grapes and nuts separately and add them just before serving to keep everything crisp.

Tasty Ways to Serve

This versatile salad works well in many ways. Spread it on whole grain bread for a filling sandwich, or wrap it in lettuce leaves for a low-carb lunch. Serve it over mixed greens for a light dinner, or scoop it onto cucumber slices for a fresh appetizer. It also tastes great stuffed into a ripe tomato or avocado half.

Make-Ahead Tips

If you’re planning ahead, mix the chicken with just the mayo or dressing base. Add grapes, nuts, and any crisp vegetables right before serving. This keeps everything fresh and crunchy. Let the salad sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving – the flavors come through better when it’s not ice cold.

Time to Make Your Own Chicken Salad!

Throughout this article, we’ve walked through everything you need to know about making a delicious chicken salad grapes walnuts. We started our recipe  by picking the right ingredients and learned the step-by-step process of putting them together to make the best out of it. You discovered how to get that perfect balance of flavors and textures, from juicy grapes to crunchy walnuts.

Together We explored why this dish is more than just tasty and why it’s loved in every family. It’s because the food is  packed with protein from chicken, healthy fats from walnuts, and vitamins from grapes. That’s why it is the best food you can choose . You learned how to adapt the recipe to fit different diets and make it even healthier with simple swaps that you can  choose. We also covered practical tips for keeping your salad fresh and serving it in various ways, from classic sandwiches to creative lettuce wraps.

Now it’s your turn to get cooking! Start with our adaptable recipe and make it your own. Maybe you’ll prefer pecans instead of walnuts, or you might discover that adding fresh herbs makes it even better. 

FAQs about Chicken Salad Grapes Walnuts

Got questions about making the perfect chicken salad? Here are answers to the most common questions we receive about this classic dish.