Chicken Salad With Grapes

Let’s explore a yummy take on traditional chicken salad! This Chicken Salad with Grapes is perfect on its own, on bread, or over a bed of fresh greens!

Table of Contents

1. Chicken Salad with Grapes?
2. Ingredients for Chicken Salad with Grapes
3. How to Make Chicken Salad with Grapes
4. Chicken Salad Tips & Tricks
5. More Summer Salads from I Heart Recipes
6. Chicken Salad With Grapes

View more

Hey cousins! I don’t know about you, but I love a good summer salad recipe when the weather gets hot. I’ve been getting requests for quick and easy light lunches, and this super simple recipe for chicken salad with grapes fits the bill!

Now, before y’all come at me, YES with grapes. I must admit that I thought it was a weird combination—this isn’t the classic chicken salad recipe I grew up with. But I’ve actually come to love this sweet, savory, creamy, and satisfying combo. And now, it’s one of my favorite spins on chicken salad!

Chicken Salad with Grapes?

Let me tell y’all—chicken salad is one of those timeless recipes just about every Southern cook has down by heart. Whether you like your chicken salad tucked between two slices of soft white bread at a church luncheon, dolloped onto a bed of lettuce for Sunday supper, or scooped onto crackers for a quick lunch, it’s a true classic. And, like any classic, every family puts their signature on it.

So, chicken salad with grapes? You bet! This is one of my favorite ways to do chicken salad. We’re talking tender, juicy bites of diced chicken mixed with crunchy celery, creamy mayo, and sour cream. But the real magic? It comes from the sweet little bursts of red grapes.

I know it might sound a little different initially, but I promise you’ll fall in love with a salad that’s perfect for lunch but fancy enough for company. This ain’t your average deli counter salad, cousins. We’re making this one from scratch with a creamy mayo-sour cream base packed with just-right seasonings.

If you didn’t grow up with grapes in your chicken salad like me, prepare to be convinced! The perfect blend of savory chicken and sweet juiciness from the grapes is….chef’s kiss—truly a perfect combination.

I like the grapes because they make it fancy without feelin’ fussy. The salad is perfect for warmer weather when you don’t want to spend all day in the kitchen sweatin’ by a hot oven. It might just be the perfect salad for summer–one of those easy dinner ideas you’ll reach for again and again.

You can make this grape and chicken salad ahead, so it’s great for meal prep (make a big batch to enjoy for a few days). It’s perfect for potlucks, baby showers, and family gatherings. This salad looks delish but doesn’t require much effort. Serve it on croissants, butter lettuce, or crackers, or eat it straight off the spoon (no judgment here)!

Ingredients for Chicken Salad with Grapes

Ready to try this new and improved version of chicken salad? The ingredients are simple. You don’t need anything unusual or special (you probably have the ingredients in your fridge right now). Oh, and don’t forget to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients, exact measurements, and details.

• Cooked Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: This is a great way to use leftover chicken breasts—just cube ’em up into small pieces. You can also use rotisserie chicken to make the process even easier. Shred that chicken off the bone, and you’re ready to go! Even canned chicken can work if that’s what you’ve got on hand.
• Mayonnaise: Pick your favorite option: Best Foods (Hellman’s) or Dukes. I don’t typically go for that Miracle Whip tang in this salad (it gets enough tang from the sour cream and plenty of sweetness from the grapes).
• Sour Cream: Sour cream adds a bright, zippy taste to the chicken salad dressing, which works very well here. Plus, it adds extra creaminess without the heaviness of straight-up mayonnaise-only dressing.
• Celery: Dice it up in bite-sized pieces to get that great crunch!
• Seedless Red Grapes: Red grapes are a little sweeter, and I think they work best here. If you’ve only got green, go ahead and use ’em. Cut the grapes into halves or quarters (depending on the size) and add that sweet juiciness this salad is all about!
• Salt & Black Pepper: We like our food with flavor, y’all. You could add some thyme, dill, or other favorite summertime herbs.

Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking my own?

You sure can! Rotisserie chicken is one of my favorite kitchen shortcuts. It’s wonderfully seasoned and already cooked—no fuss, no muss. What more could you ask for? For this recipe, remove the skin and shred or cube the meat before adding it to your salad. I usually go with the breast meat, but if you like dark meat in the mix, go right on ahead. As the saying goes, waste not, want not!

What’s the best way to keep grapes from getting soggy?

We want our grapes to shine and pop with flavor, not get all sad and soggy in this salad. The key here is to use firm, fresh grapes and wait until the last minute to stir them in. Wash the grapes and then dry them thoroughly. Keep the grapes out if you’re prepping the salad ahead (which I recommend for letting those flavors come together). Right before it’s time to add, cut them up in quarters. Then, just before serving, fold them into the salad to keep it all bright and juicy!

How can I turn this chicken salad into a full meal?

Ooh boy, there are so many ways to make a meal out of this! It’s one of those salads you’ll want to make every week and change it up. Here are a few of my favorite ways to serve up chicken salad with grapes:

• Pile that chicken salad high on a flaky, buttery croissant. Add some crisp lettuce for a to-die-for-lunch sandwich.
• Scoop your chicken salad into avocado halves for a high-deliciousness, low-carb option.
• Serve your salad over a bed of greens or romaine lettuce and a few extra grapes. Sprinkle on some chopped nuts for crunch.
• Add a large spoonful on top of buttery crackers (like Ritz) for a great appetizer.
• Go classic with a chicken salad on soft bread—a grown-up version of the lunchbox staple.

No matter how you plate it, this salad brings comfort, flavor, and the right amount of fancy for any get-together. Make this delicious chicken salad the next time you need something unexpected and simple.

How to Make Chicken Salad with Grapes

This recipe for chicken salad with juicy grapes is one of those that is almost laughably simple. But when the heat is on in the summer, you want to make it fast, easy, and stress-free!

Here’s how to whip up this amazing chicken salad with grapes. 

1. Start with the chicken. Make sure it’s fully cooked and cooled before cubing. You can sauté, bake, or use leftover grilled chicken—whatever you like. I often make a few extra pieces of chicken at dinner so I can pull this together for the next day’s lunch. Use shredded rotisserie chicken, if you like, to save even more time.
2. Dice your celery ribs and quarter your grapes (if you plan to enjoy it the day of).
3. Make the dressing in a large mixing bowl. You’ll stir together your mayonnaise, sour cream, salt, and pepper until smooth and uniform. Feel free to add herbs or any seasonings you like to the mix.
4. When your dressing is ready, fold in the chicken, diced celery, and chopped grapes.
5. Cover and refrigerate before serving (aim for about an hour to let the flavors come together for the party). Serve up and enjoy!

It really is that simple, cousins! I love this salad for lunches and get-togethers when you want to be out of the kitchen and in with the company. It’s so easy to make this ahead; it’s delicious, and the grapes kick it up to “special occasion” worthy.

Enjoy this one out on the porch or at a picnic in the park (just be sure to keep it cool until serving). A pop of summer in every bite.

Chicken Salad Tips & Tricks

Would I leave you without some Cousin Rosie tips?! You know I would NEVER. I’ve got you covered with my best ideas for customizing and serving this amazing chicken salad with grapes.

• Prep this salad ahead. It tastes better after all the flavors have gotten to know each other. The grapes can make the salad a bit soggy, so fold them shortly before chilling and serving. (Even if this salad sits in the fridge for a day, it’s still delicious—you may just need to stir it to refresh.)
• Swap the red grapes for green grapes if that’s your jam. I happen to love the color and sweetness of red grapes, but green can feel perfectly at home.
• Add some green onions or some diced red onion. Onion is an excellent addition if you want to give it some zip.
• Go bougie by serving it up on croissants with a little spring mix. You’ve got a fancy brunch, bridal shower, baby shower, or afternoon get-together meal that feels totally on point.
• Add chopped pecans, sunflower seeds, or walnuts to get extra crunch in your chicken salad. Crunchy cashews would also be great. They add a nutty goodness you can’t resist!
• Keep things cool if you’re bringing this one to a party or picnic. Store it in your cooler and keep it under 40°F to stay in the food-safe zone.
• Garnish it with fresh herbs—dill, thyme, and parsley are easy ways to add that final polish.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days (if it lasts that long). Don’t freeze this salad because the dressing can get funky and separate when thawing.

More Summer Salads from I Heart Recipes

• Cold Chicken Macaroni Salad
• Yummy Tuna Salad
• Southern Tuna Macaroni Salad

If you love this recipe,leave me a review below.

Subscribe to my mailing list for more delicious recipes! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube! Check out all my cookbooks with many recipes you can’t find anywhere else.

Print this Chicken Salad with Grapes recipe for later!

Don’t forget to tag and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, subscribe to I Heart Recipes on YouTube, and check out all my cookbooks with many recipes you can’t find anywhere else.