5 from 1 vote

Chicken Salad with Grapes

ByStacie Vaughan On April 17, 2023March 31, 2024 Updated March 31, 2024

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This Chicken Salad with Grapes is loaded with tender chicken, grapes, celery, pineapple and tossed in a sweet creamy dressing with a slight tang. My significant other says it’s the BEST chicken salad he’s ever tasted. It’s also super easy to whip up for lunch or as a side for dinner.

The first time I tried this recipe I wasn’t sure what it would be like. Grapes and chicken? Pineapple? Peanuts? I know, it may be a strange combination, but it works so well together. I found the recipe in one of my grandmother’s vintage cookbooks. It’s also called “Regal Chicken Salad”. It’s hit or miss sometimes with those recipes, but this find was a definite hit. It’s my new go-to recipe for homemade chicken salad!

With the hot and sticky weather now upon us, I’m looking for lighter meals to enjoy. This salad is great because you can cook or BBQ the chicken ahead of time or use leftovers of whatever cut of chicken you were serving. I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts because it’s my favorite cut of chicken. Avoiding the oven on a hot day is a must.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chicken Salad with Grapes

A classic recipe served for many generations
Great way to use up leftover chicken
Simple ingredients
Great addition to your summer cookout spread
Juicy grapes add extra flavor that pairs perfectly with the chicken
A delicious twit on a traditional chicken salad when you want to try something different
Makes the BEST chicken salad sandwich
Perfect for the whole family to enjoy

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

Cooked chicken breasts chopped into cubes/
Pineapple chunks
Red seedless grapes
Green grapes
Stalks of celery
Dry salted peanuts
Dried tarragon
Mayonnaise – I prefer Hellmann’s mayonnaise, but you can use Miracle Whip.
Lemon juice
Pineapple juice (from the can of pineapple chunks)
Parsley

Ingredients to make chicken salad with grapes.

How to Make Grape Chicken Salad

Step One: Add chicken, pineapple chunks (no juice), red grapes, green grapes, celery and peanuts to a large bowl. Toss to combine. Stir in tarragon.

Steps to make chicken salad with grapes.

Step Two: In another bowl, stir together mayonnaise, lemon juice and reserved pineapple juice. Fold dressing into salad bowl and toss to combine. Sprinkle with parsley if desired. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Equipment Needed

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What to Serve with Chicken Salad with Grapes

BBQ food! Burgers, hot dogs, chicken burgers…you name it!
Soup. Try my Cream of Tomato Soup or Cream of Carrot Soup.
Fresh fruit
Bread or crackers

Variations and Substitutions

Use a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store to save time or leftover chicken (any cut is fine!)
Garnish with sliced green onions instead of parsley.
Use sour cream or plain Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
Include some chopped red onion or fresh dill for a burst of flavor.
Use fresh herbs. If you have fresh tarragon, try that instead of the dried version.
Mix ½ teaspoon of curry powder in the dressing for a different taste.
Substitute pecans for the peanuts or leave out the nuts completely.
Try apple cider vinegar instead of lemon juice.
Add a little salt and black pepper to season to taste.
You can use fresh pineapple chunks, but you’ll need to add pineapple juice separately since you aren’t using a can.
Use light mayonnaise if you prefer.

Chicken salad with grapes on a wooden spoon.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Can I Freeze Chicken Salad?

I don’t recommend freezing chicken salad. The mayonnaise will separately and become watery when it thaws. Not good.

How to Serve

Make a chicken salad lettuce wrap.
Serve on a bed of lettuce. I like leaf lettuce, but any lettuce will do.
Make chicken salad sandwiches on your favorite bread or buns.
Serve on its own in a bowl.
Make a wrap with a tortilla or stuff a pita.
Mix with salad greens.

Garnish Ideas

I like to use flat-leaf parsley or curly parsley, but you can try other garnishes.

Green onions
Chopped nuts (almonds, peanuts, pecans, or walnuts)
Fresh herbs (tarragon or basil)
Dried cranberries
Avocado chunks
Croutons
Sliced grapes

Should I Use Shredded or Diced Chicken?

The answer is it depends on your personal preference! If all you have is shredded chicken, then definitely use it. I like the chopped chicken version better, but feel free to use shredded if that’s more your style.

Diced/chopped chicken has a firmer texture and gives the salad some chunkiness. The chicken pieces will stand out more when you serve the salad.

Shredded chicken is more tender and delicate. It will blend right in with the other ingredients for a smoother looking salad.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Cook the chicken ahead of time. Store in the fridge until you are ready to use in the salad.
Taste test your salad and add seasonings like salt and pepper. The peanuts are salted so you don’t want to overdo it so that’s why it’s important to taste and season accordingly.
Chill before serving. It’s better cold so let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour prior to serving.
Don’t discard the juice from the pineapple chunks. You’ll need it for the dressing.
Make sure to buy seedless grapes.
Don’t let chicken salad sit out longer than 2 hours. After that, bacteria can develop and it is unsafe to eat.

FAQ

What kind of chicken should I use to make chicken salad?

Any kind that you have! I use cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts because that’s usually what I have on hand. However, you can use rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken breasts, poached chicken, slow cooker chicken, and more.

What is a substitute for mayonnaise?

Try plain Greek yogurt, sour cream, or Miracle Whip.

What are the best grapes to use?

Seedless sweet grapes! Try red seedless grapes, green seedless grapes or even black seedless grapes. No one wants to bite in a seed in their salad.

Chicken salad with grapes on a bed of lettuce.

Chicken Salads

Looking for another delicious chicken salad to make this summer? I have a few you might like!

You’ll also like this Rainbow Fruit Salad, Egg Salad and Cucumber Salad.

Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.

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5 Comments

Emma Cook says:

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How much celery? You list it in the directions but not in the ingredients.

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1. Stacie says:
  
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  Sorry, it’s there now! It’s 1 cup celery.
  
  Reply
CAROL-ANN REDMON says:

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SUCH A FANTASTIC RECIPE!! HEALTHY AS WELL AS NUTRITIOUS!!

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CAROL-ANN REDMON says:

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SUCH A NUTRICIOUS RECIPE!! CAN’T WAIT TO MAKE SOME!!

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Nancy Kelly says:

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This looks so refreshing for a hot day. I thought it would also be nice as a filling for a crepe meal served buffet style so people can assemble their own. Having chilled fillings as well as warm foods adds more choice.

Either way, I’m making this one! Thanks for sharing. 😉

Reply