Description
Classic Chicken Salad is a delicious, protein-packed dish made with cooked chicken, crunchy vegetables, creamy dressing, and optional ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups cooked chicken, diced (about 12 ounces)
- 1 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1 cup red grapes, halved (or diced apples, if you prefer)
- ½ cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, optional
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh herbs (such as parsley or dill) for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by cooking it (boiling, grilling, or roasting) and dicing it into bite-sized pieces.
- Chop the celery into thin slices and further dice them. Halve the grapes or dice apples if using instead of grapes.
- In a separate bowl, mix the mayo (or yogurt) with Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to taste. Optionally, add fresh herbs like parsley or dill.
- Combine the chicken, chopped celery, and grapes in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over and mix gently to coat all ingredients.
- If desired, mix in chopped nuts last. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes before serving for better flavor.
Notes
- If the chicken salad is too dry, add more dressing to moisten it. If too wet, add more chicken or shredded lettuce.
- The salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- For a variation, try adding bell peppers, pickles, or tropical fruits like mango or pineapple.
- Substitute nuts with sunflower seeds if there are nut allergies.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Chicken Salad, Classic Chicken Salad, Easy Chicken Salad Recipe, Healthy Chicken Salad, Protein-packed Chicken Salad