Sweet & Savory Chicken Salad with Grapes and Apples Recipe

Crisp summer days call for a refreshing chicken salad with grapes and apples that delivers pure deliciousness.

Tender chicken pieces mingle with sweet, juicy grapes and crisp apple chunks in this delightful dish.

The combination of flavors creates a perfect balance between savory and sweet.

Crunchy nuts add an unexpected texture that makes every bite exciting.

Packed with protein and bursting with fresh ingredients, this salad works brilliantly for lunch or a light dinner.

Chopped herbs bring a vibrant green freshness that elevates the entire meal.

Dive into this simple yet extraordinary recipe that promises to become a fast favorite at your table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 375 kcal

Servings: 3

What You Need For Chicken Salad With Grapes And Apples

• Chicken: Lean protein that adds substantial texture and fills you up with its hearty goodness, choose boneless skinless chicken breasts for best results.

• Grapes, Apple, Celery: Vibrant fruits and vegetable that bring crisp texture and natural sweetness, select ripe seedless grapes and firm, tart apples like Granny Smith for perfect balance.
• Pecans: Crunchy nuts that provide rich nutty undertones and wonderful textural contrast, opt for fresh, unsalted pecans for maximum flavor.

• Mayonnaise, Greek Yogurt: Creamy base that binds ingredients and creates smooth consistency, choose full-fat Greek yogurt for richer taste.
• Dijon Mustard: Tangy condiment that adds sophisticated depth and subtle kick, select smooth, high-quality Dijon for best flavor profile.
• Honey: Optional natural sweetener that harmonizes dressing flavors, use raw local honey for most authentic taste.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning that elevates and balances overall dish, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum aroma.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that provides bright, clean finish and beautiful green color, choose curly or flat-leaf parsley based on personal preference.

Tools To Put Together Chicken Salad With Grapes And Apples

• Small bowl: Perfect for whisking dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining chicken, fruits, and vegetables.
• Whisk: Key tool for blending dressing ingredients until creamy and well-mixed.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping chicken, apples, celery, and parsley.
• Sharp knife: Crucial for precise ingredient preparation.
• Measuring spoons: Helpful for accurate seasoning and dressing ingredients.

Steps To Make Chicken Salad With Grapes And Apples

• Creamy Dressing Blend

Whisk together a smooth mixture of tangy yogurt, rich mayo, zesty mustard, and a touch of golden honey in a small bowl, creating a luscious coating for the salad.

• Fresh Ingredient Harmony

Toss together tender chicken chunks, crisp apple bits, juicy grape halves, and crunchy celery in a large mixing bowl, letting the ingredients dance together.

• Flavor Fusion

Drizzle the creamy dressing over the colorful mixture, gently folding everything until each morsel is perfectly coated with the silky sauce.

• Chill and Delight

Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for a quick 30-minute flavor party, allowing the ingredients to get to know each other before serving cool and refreshing.

Tips To Enhance Chicken Salad With Grapes And Apples

• Chilled Perfection Technique: Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to enhance flavor fusion and allow ingredients to blend harmoniously.
• Protein Swap Magic: Replace chicken with rotisserie chicken, canned tuna, or grilled tofu for diverse protein options that keep the recipe exciting and adaptable.
• Gluten-Free Friendly Twist: Serve the salad on gluten-free bread, lettuce wraps, or mixed greens to create a nutritious meal suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Crunch Factor Boost: Experiment with different nuts like almonds, walnuts, or sunflower seeds to add extra texture and nutritional variety to the classic recipe.
• Creamy Consistency Control: Adjust mayonnaise and Greek yogurt ratios to achieve your preferred level of creaminess, making the salad lighter or richer based on personal preference.

Serve Chicken Salad With Grapes And Apples Your Way

• Gourmet Sandwich Delight: Spread the chicken salad between two slices of toasted artisan bread for a restaurant-style lunch that elevates the classic recipe.
• Elegant Lettuce Wraps: Serve the salad inside crisp butter lettuce leaves for a low-carb, fresh approach that adds a delightful crunch and lightness to the dish.
• Picnic Perfect Platter: Arrange the chicken salad on a large platter surrounded by crackers, sliced baguette, and mixed greens for a beautiful, shareable presentation that's great for outdoor gatherings.
• Stuffed Avocado Centerpiece: Hollow out ripe avocado halves and fill them with the chicken salad for a creamy, nutritious twist that transforms the recipe into an eye-catching appetizer.

Keep Chicken Salad With Grapes And Apples Fresh

• Quick Refrigeration Tactics: Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for maximum freshness, keeping it crisp and delicious for 3-4 days.
• Smart Portioning Plan: Divide the salad into individual meal-prep containers for easy grab-and-go lunches, ensuring convenient and quick meal options throughout the week.
• Freezing Wisdom: While best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze the salad without the dressing for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and add fresh dressing before serving to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
• Dressing Separation Strategy: Keep the dressing separate from the salad ingredients until ready to eat to prevent soggy vegetables and maintain the perfect crunch of apples and celery.

Crisp Chicken Salad With Grapes And Apples Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Creamy chicken salad blends tender chicken with crisp apples and sweet grapes for a delightful lunch. Mediterranean-inspired ingredients and fresh herbs elevate this classic dish, promising a refreshing meal you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups (710 ml) chicken, shredded or diced
• 1 cup (150 g) grapes, red or green, halved
• 1 medium apple, diced (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
• ¼ cup (60 ml) Greek yogurt or sour cream
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) Dijon mustard
• ¼ cup (30 g) pecans or walnuts, chopped (optional)
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) parsley, fresh, chopped (optional)
• 1 tsp (5 ml) honey (optional)
• ¼ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Dressing Preparation: Whisk mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth and fully incorporated.
2. Protein and Produce Preparation: Dice cooked chicken into uniform cubes, halve grapes, core and chop apples into small pieces, and finely mince celery to create a diverse textural landscape.
3. Nutty and Herbal Enhancement: Roughly chop pecans and parsley to introduce rich, earthy undertones and a vibrant, fresh dimension to the salad.
4. Flavor Melding: Gently fold all prepared ingredients together, ensuring even distribution without compromising the delicate texture of each component.
5. Dressing Integration: Drizzle prepared dressing over the mixture, using a light folding technique to coat every ingredient while maintaining structural integrity.
6. Flavor Development: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify, creating a harmonious and sophisticated culinary experience.
7. Serving: Present the chilled salad, showcasing a refreshing blend of textures and flavors that delight the palate.

Notes

• Prevent Browning Apples: Toss chopped apple pieces in lemon juice to maintain their crisp, white appearance and prevent oxidation.
• Customize Protein Options: Swap chicken with turkey, tofu, or canned chickpeas for diverse dietary preferences and protein alternatives.
• Manage Dressing Consistency: Adjust yogurt and mayonnaise ratio to create lighter or richer dressing based on personal taste preferences.
• Enhance Texture Balance: Toast pecans briefly to intensify nutty flavor and create extra crunchiness before incorporating into the salad.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 375
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 330 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg