This is the ultimate chicken salad recipe with grapes and cashews plus a sweet creamy dressing. It’s a twist on the classic, easy to make and great for meal prep!
Chicken Salad with Grapes and Cashew
This chicken salad with grapes and cashews is one of my all-time favorites. It’s easy to swap ingredients to personalize to taste and you can even make a slow cooker chicken salad if you have a busy day ahead.
My go-to for bridal or baby showers is a chicken salad croissant with lemon bars. Other favorites are Caesar salad with chicken and this tuna salad recipe.
I use a combination of both mayo and Greek yogurt in this for the perfect taste and a touch of brown sugar adds sweetness. Dill adds fresh flavor and both grapes and cashews add crunch!
Chicken Salad Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Chicken. I love to use leftover rotisserie chicken but any shredded chicken works.
- Greek yogurt and mayo: I’m not a fan of chicken salad that’s too mayonnaise-forward. I used a combination of both mayo and Greek yogurt for the best flavor in this classic chicken salad recipe.
- Brown sugar: I add a little light brown sugar to give it a hint of sweetness. You don’t need a large amount…only a Tablespoon.
- Dill: Fresh dill makes everything better and that’s no exception in this recipe. It takes the flavor up a notch.
- Green onion. Adds savory taste, but if you like more pungent savory taste use red onion.
- Celery. A light and crunchy vegetable that adds additional texture to the salad.
- Grapes. I used red seedless grapes for added sweetness but green seedless grapes could be used.
- Cashews: Cashews are great for an added crunch. Other nuts like almonds or pecans would taste great too, but cashews are my favorite.
How to Make Chicken Salad
- Stir. Combine the mayo, yogurt, and lemon juice in a large bowl.
- Add. Then stir in the chopped green onions, brown sugar, dill, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Mix. Pour the creamy mixture into the rotisserie chicken, celery, grapes, and cashews. Stir until the mixture is evenly coated.
- Chill. Let the creamy chicken salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes prior to serving. Remove and add more seasonings to taste.
Tips and Variations
- Buy grapes that are firm to the touch. They will hold up best when mixed in and still have that delicious crisp bite.
- Use a large bowl to mix the ingredients to ensure that the dressing coats every piece of the salad.
- Make it into a Waldorf salad version by using walnuts instead of cashews and add in apples. Then serve in a lettuce cup.
- Add additional fresh herbs or dried cranberries.
- Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes prior to serving. This helps the flavors meld for the best chicken salad recipe.
- This mixture tastes best served on the first day. I love to serve it at luncheons with this cucumber sandwich recipe.
Ways to Serve
My favorite way to eat this cashew grape chicken salad recipe is on a croissant but there are many ways you can serve it!
- Make a chicken salad sandwich
- With homemade white bread or whole-wheat bread
- Place in a lettuce wrap
- Stuff it in naan, a flour tortilla or pita bread
- Spread on top of crackers
- On a bed of spinach or spring mix
Storage
Store this chicken salad with grapes and cashews in an airtight container or glass bowl with a lid in the refrigerator for three to four days long. Try not to leave the salad out too long, as it will spoil. This is a great salad to make ahead for parties or get-togethers.
Do you love light and tasty meals?! Try this chicken caesar lettuce wrap, strawberry spinach salad, or this grilled Caprese sandwich.
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Chicken Salad Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 3 Tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons green onions , chopped thin
- 1 Tablespoon light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons fresh dill , minced
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 cups chopped cooked chicken , I use rotisserie
- 1 cup celery , chopped
- 1 cup red grapes , quartered (firm grapes work best)
- ¼ cup cashews , quartered, or slivered almonds
For serving: Lettuce cups, croissant or bread, crackers
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 3 Tablespoons Greek yogurt and 1 Tablespoon lemon juice. Stir in 2 Tablespoons green onions, 1 Tablespoon brown sugar, 2 teaspoons fresh dill, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper until combined.
- Stir in 3 cups chicken, 1 cup celery, 1 cup grapes and 1/4 cup cashews until it is evenly coated. Store in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes or until ready to serve. Add more dill, salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the mixture on bread, lettuce cups or dip in crackers.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
I just made this for lunch and it’s so tasty. I am so happy I have more for tomorrow!
We stuffed this chicken salad in tortilla, it was soooo good and pleasing! We had so much fun and we were all full. We are excited to try it on croissant.
Sounds delicious! We love it both ways :)
This is an absolute favorite at my house. Light and so delicious no matter how you are eating it!
So glad you love it! Thanks for your comment and review, Erica :)
This is a really great chicken salad recipe! My favorite for parties
We were looking for ways to use up leftover chicken and this was perfect! Love how easy it was to put together!
Mmm! This chicken salad is super tasty! I love the added red grapes!
I love chicken salad so much! I love the grapes in this recipe.
Hope you enjoy this one! Chicken salad is one of my favorite lunches!
I make my chicken salad with celery, apple , green grapes, Bread and butter pickles and Pecans. I chop every thing small except the grapes and I cut them in half, yum so good.
Sounds delicious! :)
Loved this chicken salad recipe
Phenomenal!
It is so tasty in a lettuce wrap!
I love chicken salad, and yours looks so creamy and delicious!
There is something so darn good about a chicken salad sandwich! I have been cutting carbs, so I eat with a lettuce wrap! So good!
Such a delicious lunch! :)
This recipe is absolutely everything.