Savory cooked chicken, crisp celery, sweet grapes, and tangy red onion are all coated in a creamy homemade dressing, making this easy chicken salad recipe one of the BEST! It’s a fun and fresh meal idea that works for busy lunches and quick dinners!
Our family was introduced to chicken salad in a parking lot. HA! Really! But seriously, my mother-in-law made it for our family’s day out. We packed it in a cooler, served it on slider buns, and ate the crap out of it! Even my 5 year old was impressed. It was savory and sweet, and we were all happy and full! This chicken salad recipe reminds me of our beloved Tuna Salad recipe! Simple and good. A hassle-free meal that’s light and refreshing!
This is a Simple Chicken Salad that’s high on taste and not on ingredients!
This a low-maintenance recipe that can be easily customized. Add a little more or less of what you love, and the chicken salad still turns out fantastic. Don’t like onion? Don’t add it! Want to substitute celery? Try carrots or cucumbers! Are the grapes weird to you? I would definitely not knock that until you tried it! Who knew grapes and chicken were meant to be? It’s the perfect combination. Enjoy!
How to Make an Easy Chicken Salad
Chicken salad can be a dump-and-go recipe! After prepping the ingredients, dump them all into a mixing bowl, stir to combine, and go! This traditional chicken recipe is perfect made the day ahead for busy weekday meals!
Ingredients for Chicken Salad
- 3 cups cubed cooked chicken, chilled
- 1 1/2 cups diced celery
- 1 cup red seedless grapes
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
Dressing
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 3 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse pepper
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup mayonnaise/Miracle Whip
Garnish
- optional: 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
Instructions for Chicken Salad
First, in a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients: dry mustard, lemon juice, salt, pepper, whipping cream, and mayonnaise.
Then, mix in the cooked chicken, diced celery, grapes, and red onion until everything is incorporated. Optioanal: Garnish with the sliced hard-boiled eggs. Cover and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Makes 8-10 servings of Chicken Salad.
How to Serve Chicken Salad
People often ask, “What’s the best way to eat chicken salad?” The options are endless. However, we love it as a chicken salad sandwich! They are excellent and easy to eat! We love chicken salad on slider buns, croissants, and over toast! Add a lettuce leaf or two, and it’s delicious! Eat this salad on a bagel, toasted sourdough, in a pita, or even a tortilla. If sandwiches are not your thing, try chicken salad with triscuits, crackers, or over a bed of fresh romaine lettuce! There’s an option for every day of the week; they are all yummy!
Chicken salad can be enjoyed on many occasions. It’s a great picnic lunch because it keeps well and travels like a complete meal. Dress it up by topping it on bagels or croissants, and you have an elegant brunch for a bridal or baby shower. Chicken salad is a quick meal for summer days at the pool, as it’s light and refreshing! This chicken salad recipe is a family-friendly food for BBQS and potlucks, too!
Storing Chicken Salad
Whether it is leftover chicken salad or made-ahead chicken salad, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. When ready to serve, stir to refresh and enjoy!
More Great Recipes!
If you’re craving beef for dinner, you can’t go wrong with these meals. Most of them are 30-minute recipes and one-pot meal ideas! For creamy beef-inspired meals, try our Beef and Bowtie Pasta and Creamy Hamburger and Potato Soup. For something on the light side, try this Ground Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet with Vegetables or our fun Ground Baked Beef Tacos. Both meals are kid-friendly, too!
Tender, delicious chicken is always a hit for dinner! Try out the BEST Pan-Fried Chicken Breasts! They are tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned!
Now, the perfect dessert always impresses! This classic Cherry Delight recipe is fantastic. With a graham cracker crust, sweet cream center, and cherry topping, everyone loves this cold dessert! Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars are fun and can be dressed up for any occasion, including but not limited to the perfect Easter bar, potluck, or birthday dessert!
Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cooked chicken cubed and chilled
- 1½ cups celery chopped
- 1 cup red seedless grapes
- ¼ cup red onion finely chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 3 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon coarse pepper
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup mayonnaise/ Miracle Whip
Optional Garnish
- 2 hard-boiled eggs sliced
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients: dry mustard, lemon juice, salt, pepper, whipping cream, and mayonnaise.
- Then, mix in the cooked chicken, diced celery, grapes, and red onion until everything is incorporated. Optioanal: Garnish with the sliced hard-boiled eggs. Cover and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Enjoy!
This is to die for delicious. This is a recipe you can eat all the time and never get tired of it. I put mine on Romain Lettuce leaves and eat it like a wrap. so Crunchy, so delicious and Not fat no Carbs just good stuff for you and yet very filling Packed with Protein.
Thank you, Donna! We agree!
I’m hungry for a bowl of THAT! Lol Hugs, Thanks for the recipe.
Thank you Anna!