If you’re looking to brighten up your lunch or dinner with something fresh, creamy, and endlessly satisfying, look no further than this Super Yummy Chicken Salad Recipe. It’s a delightful blend of tender chicken, juicy red grapes, crunchy celery, and roasted cashews all tossed in a luscious dressing made with Greek yogurt, mayo, and just the right touch of sweetness and spice. This salad manages to be both comforting and refreshingly vibrant, making it the perfect dish to whip up quickly when you want something nutritious and delicious without fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Super Yummy Chicken Salad Recipe calls for simple yet essential ingredients that perfectly balance texture and flavor. Each one plays a crucial role in building that irresistible creaminess, sweetness, crunch, and savory depth that makes this salad so memorable.
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt: Adds creaminess and tang while keeping the dressing light and healthy.
- 1/4 cup mayo: Provides richness and helps bind all the ingredients together beautifully.
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard: Lends a subtle tangy sharpness that perks up the dressing.
- 2 teaspoons sugar (or honey): Balances out the savory flavors with a hint of natural sweetness.
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt: Enhances every flavor in the salad and ties everything together.
- 3/4 teaspoon onion powder: Adds smoky, aromatic depth.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder: Brings gentle warmth without overpowering the other components.
- 2 1/2 cups cooked chicken, cubed or diced: The hearty protein base—rotisserie chicken works wonderfully here.
- 1 1/2 cups red grapes, sliced: Introduces bursts of juicy sweetness and a beautiful pop of color.
- 1 cup finely diced celery: Offers refreshing crunch and a touch of earthiness.
- 1 cup roasted cashew halves and pieces: Adds buttery, nutty crunch for an elevating texture contrast.
- Extra seasonings like dried or fresh herbs (dried chives recommended): Customize to taste and amplify the salad’s fragrance and flavor.
How to Make Super Yummy Chicken Salad Recipe
Step 1: Whisk the Dressing
Start by combining the plain Greek yogurt, mayo, Dijon mustard, sugar (or honey), kosher salt, onion powder, and garlic powder in a bowl. Whisk everything together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. The key here is to make sure your dressing tastes slightly stronger than you want in the final salad, because it will mellow once mixed with the other ingredients.
Step 2: Toss in the Mix-Ins
Next, grab a large mixing bowl and add your cubed chicken, sliced red grapes, diced celery, and roasted cashews. Pour over as much of the dressing as you prefer, then gently toss everything until every bite is well-coated. This step is where your salad starts to come alive with texture and flavor harmony.
Step 3: Season and Customize
After mixing, taste your salad and adjust the seasonings to make it uniquely yours. This is the perfect time to add your favorite herbs—freeze-dried chives are my go-to for a subtle oniony pop—or sprinkle in a dash of white pepper for a gentle zing. Don’t be shy about zhuzhing it up until it sings!
Step 4: Ready to Enjoy
That’s it, you’re done! This Super Yummy Chicken Salad Recipe is incredibly versatile—serve it immediately or chill for an hour to let the flavors meld. It’s creamy, satisfying, and endlessly delicious all on its own.
How to Serve Super Yummy Chicken Salad Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a few fresh garnishes can really elevate this chicken salad. Try sprinkling chopped fresh parsley, dill, or extra freeze-dried chives on top for a fresh burst of color and flavor. A light drizzle of olive oil or a squeeze of lemon juice right before serving brightens up the whole dish.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs beautifully with light, uncomplicated sides. Consider a crisp green salad with a simple vinaigrette or crunchy veggie sticks like carrots and cucumber. For something heartier, a warm slice of crusty whole wheat bread or your favorite crackers make perfect companions.
Creative Ways to Present
Feeling adventurous? Serve this Super Yummy Chicken Salad Recipe stuffed into a soft pita pocket, wrapped in romaine lettuce leaves for a low-carb option, or spooned over toasted sourdough for a delicious open-faced sandwich. It also works wonders spooned onto avocado halves or as a dip alongside pita chips for gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This chicken salad keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Keeping it cold maintains that lovely creamy texture, and the flavors only become more harmonious as it sits.
Freezing
Because of the fresh grapes and celery, freezing this salad is not recommended; these ingredients will lose their crispness and become watery once thawed, impacting both texture and taste.
Reheating
There’s no need to reheat this salad since it’s meant to be enjoyed cold or at room temperature. If you want to warm it, consider serving it alongside warm bread or crackers rather than heating the salad itself.
FAQs
Can I use chicken other than rotisserie?
Absolutely! While rotisserie chicken is convenient and flavorful, grilled or poached chicken breast works just as well. Just ensure it’s cooked and chopped into bite-sized pieces.
Can I substitute cashews with another nut?
Definitely. Toasted almonds, walnuts, or pecans can provide a different but equally delightful crunch. If you have a nut allergy, try seeds like pumpkin or sunflower for texture.
Is Greek yogurt necessary in the dressing?
Using Greek yogurt adds creaminess and a tang that balances richness without being heavy. You can swap it for sour cream or use all mayo if preferred, though the flavor and texture will change slightly.
How can I make this salad vegan?
Simply replace the chicken with chickpeas or tofu, use vegan mayonnaise, and substitute the honey or sugar with maple syrup. The salad will still be delicious and nourishing.
What can I do to make this salad more vibrant?
Add fresh herbs like cilantro or basil, a splash of lemon juice, or a pinch of smoked paprika. Including colorful veggies such as diced red bell pepper can also make the salad look and taste even brighter.
Final Thoughts
This Super Yummy Chicken Salad Recipe is truly one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. It’s easy to make, versatile, and has a perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and crunchy elements that will keep you coming back for more. Whether you’re packing lunch, hosting a casual get-together, or just craving a quick wholesome meal, I wholeheartedly encourage you to give this recipe a spin—it’s sure to become one of your favorite go-tos!
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Super Yummy Chicken Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This Super Yummy Chicken Salad is a creamy, refreshing mix perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner. Made with tender rotisserie chicken, sweet grapes, crunchy celery, and roasted cashews, it’s dressed with a tangy Greek yogurt and mayo-based dressing seasoned with mustard, garlic, and onion powder. Easily customized with your favorite herbs and spices, this salad is delicious served in wraps, sandwiches, or simply on its own.
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% milkfat or higher)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons sugar (or honey, to taste)
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salad Mix-ins
- 2 1/2 cups cooked chicken, cubed or diced (rotisserie chicken breast recommended)
- 1 1/2 cups red grapes, sliced
- 1 cup finely diced celery (about 2–3 stalks)
- 1 cup roasted cashew halves and pieces
- Optional: dried herbs, fresh herbs, salt, pepper, freeze-dried chives, white pepper, or other seasonings to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: Whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, sugar, kosher salt, onion powder, and garlic powder in a bowl until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning to ensure it is a bit salty and concentrated as this will spread flavor throughout the salad.
- Mix Ingredients: In a larger bowl, combine the cooked chicken, sliced grapes, diced celery, and roasted cashews. Toss these mix-ins gently to blend them evenly.
- Add Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad mix and toss gently to coat all ingredients well with the dressing, adding as much as you prefer.
- Season to Taste: Taste the salad and adjust seasoning by adding extra salt, pepper, or herbs. Common additions include freeze-dried chives and white pepper for an extra flavor boost.
- Serve and Store: Serve the chicken salad chilled on a whole wheat wrap, lettuce wrap, sandwich, toast, or with crackers. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken breast for convenience and great flavor.
- You can substitute sugar with honey for a natural sweetness.
- Feel free to add your favorite herbs like dried chives, parsley, or dill to personalize the salad.
- Store leftovers properly in the fridge for up to 4 days for freshness.
- This salad tastes best served chilled and can be versatile in how you eat it.
