Description
Creamy Grape Pecan Chicken Salad brings Mediterranean charm to classic comfort cuisine. Crisp grapes, tender chicken, and toasted pecans mingle in a silky herb-infused dressing that promises refreshing flavor in each delightful bite you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2.5 cups cooked, diced or shredded chicken
Fruits and Vegetables:
- 3 stalks celery (about 0.5 cup diced)
- 1 cup sliced grapes
- 0.33 cup chopped red onion
Seasonings and Binding Ingredients:
- 0.5 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 0.25 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) lemon juice
- 1–2 teaspoons (5–10 milliliters) fresh lemon zest
- 0.33 cup chopped pecans
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Thoroughly cleanse grapes by submerging them in a water bath with of baking soda for 5 minutes, which helps remove any potential surface residue or pesticides.
- Carefully rinse the grapes under cool running water, then gently pat them dry using clean paper towels to ensure no excess moisture remains.
- Slice the cleaned and dried grapes into halves or quarters, creating uniform bite-sized pieces that will distribute evenly throughout the chicken salad.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the sliced grapes with shredded or diced chicken, chopped pecans, and creamy dressing ingredients, ensuring all components are well integrated.
- Gently fold the ingredients together using a silicone spatula or large spoon, taking care to coat each element with the dressing without crushing the delicate grape pieces.
- Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the flavors to create a balanced and harmonious chicken salad.
- For optimal flavor melding, refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving, allowing the ingredients to chill and the flavors to develop.
- Serve the chicken salad chilled, either as a standalone dish, atop crisp lettuce leaves, or between slices of toasted artisan bread for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Wash grapes thoroughly using baking soda method to remove pesticides and ensure maximum cleanliness before adding to the salad.
- Chop chicken and grapes into consistent bite-sized pieces for balanced texture and easier eating experience.
- Refrigerate salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and enhance overall taste profile.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping the salad fresh and preventing bacterial growth.
- Consider toasting pecans briefly to intensify their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the creamy chicken salad.
- Customize by adjusting mayonnaise quantity for desired creaminess or exploring alternative herbs like dill or tarragon for unique flavor variations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 337 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 255 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg