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Easy homemade chicken salad with grapes, celery, and finely chopped pecans in a creamy dressing served in a bowl
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Easy Homemade Chicken Salad (Creamy, Flavorful & Ready in 15 Minutes)

This easy homemade chicken salad is creamy, flavorful, and made with simple ingredients in just 15 minutes. Tender chicken is tossed with a rich mayo and Dijon dressing, crisp celery, and optional sweet grapes for the perfect balance of texture and flavor. Ideal for sandwiches, meal prep, or a quick lunch, this classic chicken salad recipe is customizable, delicious, and always a crowd favorite.
Course dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Salad
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken, chicken salad recipe, chicken salad sandwich, chicken salad with grapes, classic chicken salad, creamy chicken salad, dinner, easy chicken salad, healthy, healthy chicken salad, homemade chicken salad, meal, meal prep chicken salad, quick chicken salad recipe, rotisserie chicken salad, salad, simple chicken salad
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 320kcal
Cost $9 for entire recipe

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Spoon or spatula for mixing

Ingredients

  • 3 cups cooked chicken shredded or chopped
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 celery stalks finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp red onion or green onion finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup grapes halved (optional)
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans or almonds optional
  • 1–2 tbsp fresh dill or parsley chopped
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  • Add the chicken, celery, onion, grapes, and nuts to a large mixing bowl.
  • In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
  • Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and gently stir until everything is evenly coated.
  • Fold in the fresh herbs and mix lightly to combine.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning if needed (add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to taste).
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 30–60 minutes for best flavor.
  • Serve chilled on sandwiches, croissants, lettuce wraps, or with crackers.

Notes

  • For the best flavor, use rotisserie chicken or well-seasoned cooked chicken. It adds more depth than plain boiled chicken.
  • Let the chicken salad chill for at least 30–60 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors blend and creates a more creamy, balanced taste.
  • If your chicken salad tastes bland, add a little more salt, lemon juice, or Dijon mustard to brighten the flavor.
  • For a slightly sweeter chicken salad, add grapes, diced apples, or a small drizzle of honey.
  • To make a healthier chicken salad, replace half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt while keeping it creamy and high in protein.
  • Chop ingredients evenly for the best texture—this ensures every bite has the perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, and fresh flavors.
  • This chicken salad is perfect for meal prep and can be served in sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups, or with crackers.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Do not freeze, as the texture will change.