• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to privacy navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Jo Cooks

Simple - Easy - Comfort

Join my free recipe email club!
Free eBook
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
    • The Big Book of Jo’s Quick and Easy Meals
    • 30-Minute One-Pot Meals
  • ABOUT JO
  • Contact
  • Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube
  • Dinner Ideas
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • One Pot
  • Desserts
Home / Recipes
10 minutes
4.64 from 46 votes
39 Comments

The Best Chicken Salad

Jump to RecipePrint RecipeJump to Video
  • 516
by: Joanna Cismaru
10.04.20

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This Chicken Salad will turn your lunch from boring to spectacular! It’s packed with flavor and are really quick and easy to make. In 10 minutes you can be enjoying this chicken salad in sandwiches, tortilla wraps or even lettuce wraps!

a chicken sandwich cut in half and stacked with grapes and cucumbers

Let’s talk chicken salads, shall we? Doesn’t it make for the best lunches? This particular salad however is to die for, not that I’m biased or anything.

It’s crunchy because it has chopped walnuts and then there’s a sweet little hit from the grapes. I think adding these two ingredients to a traditional chicken salad totally turns this filling into a star. It’s perfect for when you’re in a rush and need to pack a lunch or you can always have it for dinner when you don’t feel like cooking.

What Makes This Salad Such A Knockout?

Now you might be a little skeptical about combining sweet grapes with savory chicken and mayonnaise, but believe me it is a marriage made in heaven. I used nice crunchy chopped walnuts and tons of dry dill to make this filling scrumptious and to add lots of texture and dimension to this dish. I can’t wait for you all to try this stellar sandwich, it’ll be your new favorite!

a bowl filled with chicken salad with grapes

Ingredients

Detailed measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

  • Chicken – Cooked chicken that has been diced. It’s a good way to use up some left over chicken.
  • Veggies – We’re just dicing up some celery and slicing up 1 small onion to go in the filling.
  • Nuts – You can either chop up walnuts or pecans for this sandwich filling.
  • Grapes – Red seedless grapes either halved or quartered.
  • Spices – I used ground mustard today for a flavor punch, if you don’t have any on hand feel free to substitute regular mustard.
  • Herbs – Dry dill is all we’re using today, if you have fresh on hand just keep in mind that 1 teaspoon dried equals 1 tablespoon fresh.
  • Condiments – We want mayo and Worcestershire sauce today.
  • Seasoning – Salt and pepper.

How To Make Chicken Salad

  1. Combine everything together: In a medium sized bowl combine all ingredients together.
  2. Chill: Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.

How To Serve This

This recipe is versatile! You can spoon this filling between any kind of bread you’d like, a favorite of mine is combining this with croissants. If you’re trying to cut down on carbs these also make perfect lettuce wraps!

How Do You Make Chicken Salad Healthier

Chicken salads are great because they can be made as healthy as you want. Skip the mayo and add a good plain Greek yogurt instead. You’ll still get the tanginess but less calories. Load it up with more veggies like sliced radish, shredded carrot, spinach, shredded red cabbage, apples, bell pepper, the sky is the limit!

chicken sandwich cut in half and stacked on a plate with grapes and cucumbers

How Do I Turn This Into A Meal?

Best way is to serve this salad on sandwiches and you’ve got yourself the most satisfying meal, but if you are looking to whip up a whole spread, here’s some perfect accompaniments to go along with it!

  • Creamy Cucumber Salad
  • Mediterranean Orzo Salad
  • Mexican Street Corn Slaw
  • Zucchini Patties
  • Greek Salad
  • Italian Roasted Mushrooms And Veggies

Leftovers

Refrigerate your chicken salad in an airtight container and it should last for 3 – 5 days. You can freeze chicken salad too! It will only stay fresh for up to a week and must be stored in small batches in airtight containers.

Craving More Chicken? Try These Delicious Recipes:

  • Loaded Chicken Salad Sandwiches with Guacamole
  • Avocado Chicken Croissants
  • Easy Chicken Salad Sandwiches
  • Garlic and Paprika Chicken
  • Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Salad
  • Korean BBQ Chicken
  • Chopped Mexican Chicken Salad
  • Cilantro Lime Chicken
  • Firecracker Chicken Meatballs

Looking for more recipes? Follow on… My Newsletter Pinterest Facebook Instagram

side view shot of two halves of a chicken salad sandwich stacked on a plate exposing the centers

The Best Chicken Salad

4.64 from 46 votes
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 10 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 6
Print Pin Rate
This Chicken Salad will turn your lunch from boring to spectacular! It's packed with flavor and are really quick and easy to make. In 10 minutes you can be enjoying this chicken salad in sandwiches, tortilla wraps or even lettuce wraps!

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups cooked chicken diced
  • 1/2 cup celery finely chopped
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 1 cup red seedless grapes halved or quartered
  • 1 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1 teaspoon dill dry
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise

Optional Toppings

  • cucumber sliced
  • lettuce
  • tomatoes
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, add all the ingredients together and toss well. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.
  • Serve in sandwiches or wraps.

Video

Recipe Notes

If you want to cut back on calories, use greek yogurt in place of mayo.
Refrigerate your chicken salad in an airtight container and it should last for 3 – 5 days. You can freeze chicken salad too! It will only stay fresh for up to a week and must be stored in small batches in airtight containers.
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Recipe originally shared July 2012.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1sandwichCalories: 441kcal (22%)Carbohydrates: 9g (3%)Protein: 18g (36%)Fat: 38g (58%)Saturated Fat: 6g (38%)Cholesterol: 56mg (19%)Sodium: 433mg (19%)Potassium: 315mg (9%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 6g (7%)Vitamin A: 95IU (2%)Vitamin C: 2.1mg (3%)Calcium: 37mg (4%)Iron: 1.5mg (8%)
Course:Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine:American
Keyword:30 minute meals, chicken salad
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!
  • 516

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

30 recipes from around the world cover.

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe and get a FREE dinner recipes ebook!

romanian stuffed peppers in a pot
Previous Post
Romanian Stuffed Peppers (Ardei Umpluti)
side view shot of a fork taking a bite of coconut shrimp curry and rice
Next Post
Coconut Shrimp Curry

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment & Rate Recipe Cancel reply

Did you make this recipe? Rate it:




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Diane Owen says

    June 17, 2022 at 8:03 pm

    5 stars
    This is the best chicken salad ever. So full of flavor. So delicious! So wonderful!
    It’s my go to recipe for chicken salad.
    Yum, yum 😋

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      June 17, 2022 at 8:29 pm

      So glad you like it!

      Reply
  2. Erin Pittman says

    September 10, 2021 at 11:19 am

    5 stars
    This is my favorite recipe to use if I’ve got leftover chicken. Every time I make it and someone new tries it, they ask for the recipe. It really is the BEST chicken salad. I don’t change a thing.

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      September 10, 2021 at 12:01 pm

      I’m so glad you like it!

      Reply
  3. LJ says

    April 2, 2021 at 3:35 am

    5 stars
    This is absolutely incredible, so delicious with an amazing mix of flavours and so right that leaving it overnight in the fridge helps the flavours meld really nicely. I didn’t have any mustard powder so just did the same amount of dijon mustard. Definitely a new favourite.

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      April 3, 2021 at 11:11 am

      So glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  4. Armie says

    February 5, 2021 at 8:01 am

    5 stars
    This is so delicious!!!!! It really is THE BEST chicken salad. Quick and easy to make and with just a few pantry ingredients, this chicken salad recipe can be a “my grandma’s secret” recipe. LOL

    Reply
    • Jo Cooks Team says

      February 5, 2021 at 9:44 am

      Perfect!! So glad you liked it 🙂

      Reply
  5. Virginia Bauer says

    October 12, 2019 at 1:22 am

    made it and put into sandwiches for my daughter’s bridal shower/kitchen tea. Got lots of comments on how great the sandwiches are! And yes I thought they were yummy too

    Reply
  6. judy says

    July 22, 2019 at 3:01 pm

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this chicken salad (without onions). I make a VERY similar version with 1/2 c. mayo, 1/2 c. Miracle Whip and 1/2 c. sour cream. While it is delicious the first day, it is even better after the flavors meld for 24 hours. I can’t keep this at home, because my fiancee’ devours it. He works in the heat, so when it is hot outside, he won’t eat a hot dish. This salad??? Gone in 60 seconds!

    Reply
  7. Nikki Richardson says

    July 19, 2019 at 2:26 pm

    What can I use in substitute for Celery? I dont have any on hand and live 30 minutes from grocery store! Excited to try it tonight!!!

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      July 19, 2019 at 5:46 pm

      The celery is there to provide a bit of crunch to the salad, so you could totally just skip it or if you did want a bit of crunch you could always use finely chopped cabbage.

      Reply
  8. Cindy says

    July 12, 2019 at 3:37 pm

    5 stars
    Totally delicious! Thanks so much for the awesome recipe Jo.

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      July 13, 2019 at 11:11 am

      My pleasure, glad you liked it!

      Reply
  9. Laiken says

    May 20, 2019 at 12:20 pm

    5 stars
    It’s amazing and so easy! I look forward to eating it every time I bring it for lunch!

    Reply
  10. Sunflower says

    April 7, 2019 at 9:26 am

    5 stars
    This recipe is ah-mazing! Absolutely delicious! I’m making it again tonight for lunches tomorrow – if the fam doesn’t eat it all in the process!

    Reply
Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

Joanna Cismaru

Hey there!

I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More…
cover for the big book of jo's quick and easy meals.

My Cookbook

Order Now: Amazon | Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Indie Bound | Books-A-Million

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe and get a FREE dinner recipes ebook!

Sign me up

Dinner Favorites

black pepper chicken on a bed of rice on a black plate.

Black Pepper Chicken

a slice of pastitsio on a black plate.

Pastitsio (Greek Lasagna)

side view shot of a piece of eggplant parmesan with marinara sauce in a white plate garnished with parsley and a piece cut out and held by a fork

Eggplant Parmesan

side view shot chicken souvlaki skewers with a little tzatziki on a plate

Chicken Souvlaki

yakisoba noodles with chicken and vegetables in a large serving platter.

Yakisoba

pouring lemon sauce over fried chicken.

Chinese Lemon Chicken

a chicken gyro wrapped in paper and topped with lots of tzatziki sauce with another gyro in the background

Chicken Gyros

homemade hamburger helper lasagna from scratch in a skillet.

One Pot Hamburger Helper Lasagna

Air Fryer Recipes

a roasted chicken on a serving platter along some roasted root veggies.

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

apple pie bombs on a white plate with the top one cut in half.

Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs

3 cooked chicken breasts on a cutting board.

Air Fryer Chicken Breast

air fried chicken drumsticks in a basket of an air fryer.

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

cooked chicken thighs in the basket of an air fryer.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

eggs inside an air fryer basket.

Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs

lobster tails on a white serving platter.

Air Fryer Lobster Tails

hands pulling apart a mozzarella stick with the rest in the background

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

freshly made bread in air fryer on a cutting board cut into slices.

Air Fryer No Knead Bread

bacon wrapped water chestnuts on a white serving platter.

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

Jo Cooks...

Flavors from around the world

No matter what household we have all grown up in, there is something that has brought us all together here and that is a love and appreciation of food. Food that is from cultures and cuisines across the world has always been a staple of the blog. I'm excited to bring you all a taste of each corner of the earth, every last bite seasoned to perfection and served up with love - from my kitchen to yours.
chow mein in a white asian bowl.

Asian

creamy chicken marsala pasta in a white platter.

Italian

chicken fajita taquitos with sour cream and salsa on a white platter.

Mexican

chicken and mushroom in creamy dill sauce over a bed of rice in a blue bowl.

Romanian

freshly made lamb korma in a beige braiser.

Indian

freshly made hummus drizzled with olive oil and garnished with tomatoes cucumbers and olives.

Middle Eastern

Trending Now

overhead shot of oven baked chicken breasts in a baking dish

Baked Chicken Breast

overhead shot of oven baked chicken thighs in a pan

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

roast chicken with roast potatoes on a roaster.

Roast Chicken

a prime rib roast sliced on a plate

Prime Rib Roast

Browse All
  • Easy Dinners
  • Instant Pot
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Chicken Recipes
  • Desserts
  • Recipe Index

Featured On

today logo.
huffpost logo.
the washington post logo.
jezebel logo.
countryliving logo.
good housekeeping logo.
lifehack logo.
buzzfeed logo.
mashable logo.
woman's day logo.
health logo.
better homes & gardens logo.
delish logo.
healthline logo.
nbc news logo.
blogloving logo.
university of washington logo.
shape logo.
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
  • About Jo
  • Contact
  • visit my other site: Craving Home Cooked
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
© 2022 · All Rights Reserved · Back to Top
Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window

Subscribe and get a free dinner recipes ebook!