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Fresh Classic Chicken Salad Recipe with Red Grapes and Toasted Pecans

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A quick and easy chicken salad combining tender chicken, sweet red grapes, and crunchy toasted pecans in a creamy, tangy dressing. Perfect for lunches, brunches, or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped (rotisserie chicken works great)
  • 1 cup red grapes, halved (seedless preferred)
  • 3/4 cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt (full-fat recommended)
  • 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread pecans evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Toast for 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway through. Remove when golden and nutty smelling. Let cool.
  2. If not using pre-cooked chicken, poach or roast about 1 lb (450 g) chicken breasts until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Let rest, then chop or shred into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Halve the red grapes, finely chop celery, thinly slice green onions, and chop parsley if using. Keep separate until mixing.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, and lemon juice until smooth. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  5. In a large bowl, gently mix chicken, grapes, celery, green onions, and toasted pecans. Pour dressing over mixture and toss gently to coat without crushing grapes.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.

Notes

Toast pecans carefully to avoid burning; stirring halfway through helps even browning. For nut-free version, substitute pecans with toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds. For dairy-free, use vegan mayonnaise and coconut yogurt. Chill salad at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor. Avoid overmixing to keep grapes whole and pecans crunchy. If salad is too thick after chilling, add a splash of milk or lemon juice to loosen.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken salad, red grapes, toasted pecans, easy lunch, homemade salad, creamy dressing, quick recipe, healthy chicken salad

Find it online: https://emmastirs.com/fresh-classic-chicken-salad-recipe-with-red-grapes-and-toasted-pecans-easy-homemade-lunch-idea/