Discover the best chicken salad with grapes recipe: easy 5-minute Southern classic with juicy grapes, crunchy pecans, celery, cranberries, and dressing options. High-protein, make-ahead perfection for lunches, sandwiches, or potlucks!

_{Updated February 2026 – Now with more tips for healthier versions.}

This tried-and-true chicken salad with grapes has been one of my most beloved recipes for over 30 years—I’ve been whipping it up for loved ones, holidays, and everyday meals long before I started blogging. Over a decade ago, I posted this classic Southern version on Add a Pinch, and it has captured the hearts (and appetites!) of readers worldwide ever since, earning rave reviews, becoming a reader favorite, and staying a staple in so many homes!

Looking for the ultimate chicken salad with grapes recipe? This easy, crowd-pleasing dish combines tender chicken, juicy grapes, crunchy celery, sweet cranberries, and roasted pecans in a creamy dressing. It’s perfect for quick lunches, meal prep, sandwiches, or potlucks. With options for a lighter Greek yogurt version, it’s versatile, healthy, and bursting with flavor. Ready in just 5 minutes!

As a passionate Southern home cook sharing cherished family recipes since 2010, this recipe draws from decades of real-life cooking for family gatherings, picnics, and parties. The fresh grapes add a pop of sweetness, while toasted pecans bring a nutty crunch—it’s simple yet elevated, which is why it has over 440 comments and a near-perfect 4.95/5 rating from hundreds of votes!

Chicken Salad with Grapes Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Salad with Grapes Recipe

• Quick and Easy: Prep in 5 minutes using leftover or rotisserie chicken.
• Flavor-Packed: Sweet grapes, tart cranberries, crunchy pecans, and creamy dressing create an irresistible sweet-savory balance.
• Versatile: Serve as a sandwich, wrap, salad, or appetizer. Great for meal prep, picnics, or parties. Swaps and variations to customize to your preferences!
• Healthy Options: Swap mayo for Greek yogurt (or whipped cottage cheese) to cut calories and boost protein (high-protein appeal!).
• Crowd-Pleaser: Kid-friendly, naturally gluten-free, and adaptable for allergies (nut-free version included).
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Stores well for up to 3 days—flavors get even better!

If you’re searching for “how to make chicken salad with grapes,” this guide has everything: ingredients, step-by-step instructions, tips, variations, storage, and serving ideas.

Ingredients for Chicken Salad with Grapes

This recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients that come together for the perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, sweet, and savory:

• Cooked chicken (shredded or chopped) – The hearty, protein-packed base that makes this a satisfying main dish or sandwich filler, providing tender texture and classic chicken flavor.
• Chopped celery – Adds essential crunch and freshness to lighten the richness of the dressing, while bringing a mild, herbal note that brightens every bite.
• Red seedless grapes, halved – Provide juicy pops of natural sweetness and vibrant color, balancing the savory elements and adding moisture for a refreshing contrast.
• Dried cranberries – Contribute a chewy texture with tart-sweet flavor that deepens the overall taste, complementing the grapes and preventing the salad from being overly one-note sweet.
• Roasted pecans, chopped – Deliver nutty crunch and rich, toasty flavor that elevates the texture and adds a Southern touch of warmth and sophistication.
• Mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt (or a mix) – Creates the creamy, binding dressing that coats everything evenly; yogurt offers a lighter, tangier, high-protein option while mayo keeps the traditional richness.
• Salt and ground black pepper – Season and enhance all the flavors, bringing out the best in the chicken, fruits, nuts, and dressing without overpowering.
• Chopped celery leaves (optional) – Add a fresh, subtle herbal brightness for extra depth and aroma, tying into the celery’s natural flavor.

Pro Tip: These ingredients work in harmony to create that irresistible sweet-savory balance—sweet from the fruits, crunchy from the veggies and nuts, creamy from the dressing—that’s made this a reader favorite for over a decade!

How to Make Chicken Salad with Grapes Step-by-Step

No cooking needed if using pre-cooked chicken—one bowl magic!

1. Prepare the Chicken: Shred or chop 4 cups cooked chicken. Use two forks, a stand mixer, or hand mixer for quick shredding.
2. Chop the Add-Ins: Dice celery, halve grapes, chop pecans and celery leaves (if using).
3. Mix It All: In a large bowl, combine chicken, celery, grapes, cranberries, pecans, mayonnaise (or yogurt), salt, and pepper. Stir gently until evenly coated—don’t overmix to keep grapes intact.
4. Taste and Adjust: Taste and add more salt/pepper, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness if desired.
5. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate 30 minutes for best flavor, then enjoy!

Recipe Variations and Customizations

Make this chicken salad recipe with grapes your own with these easy tweaks:

• Nut-Free: Skip pecans or swap with sunflower seeds for crunch.
• Low-Carb/Keto: Serve in lettuce wraps; use full-fat mayo and skip cranberries.
• Whole30/Paleo: Opt for compliant mayo and omit cranberries if needed.
• Creamier Version: Mix in a splash of sour cream or a spoonful of cream cheese.
• Bright & Tangy: Boost flavor balance and adds zing to this classic Southern chicken salad. Add 1–2 teaspoons Dijon mustard to the dressing (whisk it in with salt/pepper and optional lemon juice for extra brightness). For a variation: Try Honey Dijon (add 1 tsp honey + Dijon) to lean into the grape/apple sweetness.
• Protein-Packed: Swap walnuts for pecans and use cottage cheese in place of all or part of the mayo for added protein. Cottage cheese texture tip: If the curds bother anyone, blend it first (add a splash of lemon juice, water, or even a bit of the dressing for smoothness).

Protein Comparison in Dressing Options

While the chicken provides the majority (~80–85%) of the chicken salad’s protein, the dressing swap adds 0–3g per serving but shifts the overall profile dramatically toward high protein with cottage cheese.

Dressing Option	Protein Grams in 1 Cup	Notes for Your Recipe
Full-Fat Mayo	~2g	Minimal protein contribution; delivers the richest, most indulgent creamy texture and traditional Southern flavor.
Full-Fat Greek Yogurt	~18–20g	Provides a solid protein boost from dairy; adds a pleasant tangy creaminess that complements the sweet grapes, tart cranberries, and crunchy pecans beautifully in this timeless recipe.
Full-Fat Cottage Cheese	~23–25g	Highest protein option among the three; keeps the salad creamy when blended smooth—ideal for a modern high-protein twist that still honors the classic taste and texture readers adore.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Stir before serving, as it may separate slightly.
• Freezer: Not recommended, as the grapes and mayo/yogurt can become watery.
• Food Safety: Follow the FDA’s “two-hour rule” – don’t leave out at room temperature longer than 2 hours (1 hour if above 90°F). Ideal for picnics, but chill promptly.
• Make-Ahead: Prep up to 2 days in advance; flavors meld beautifully!

Serving Suggestions

• Sandwiches: On croissants, whole-grain bread, or homemade biscuits.
• Wraps: In tortillas, lettuce leaves, or collard greens (low-carb).
• Salads: Over greens, in avocado halves, or lettuce cups.
• Appetizers: On crackers or endive.
• Sides: With fruit, chips, or potato salad.
• Portions: 4-6 oz for sandwiches/wraps; 8 oz as main.

Scales easily for crowds!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s my recipe for Chicken Salad with Grapes that I think you’ll love.

Drop a comment below with your favorite tweaks or questions—I love hearing how you make this timeless recipe your own after all these years!

Enjoy!
Robyn xo