Grape Chicken Salad is the kind of no-fail, make-ahead dish that checks all the boxes: creamy, crunchy, sweet, and savory. It’s packed with tender rotisserie chicken, juicy red and green grapes, crisp celery, and toasty walnuts, perfect for picnics, meal prep, or casual entertaining. If you love fresh and flavorful salads like this one, don’t miss our Italian Pasta Salad for another crowd-pleasing favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Salad
- Rotisserie shortcut – Using store-bought rotisserie chicken makes this quick and easy. You can also use oven-roasted chicken.
- Balanced texture – Crisp celery, soft grapes, crunchy walnuts… every bite is satisfying.
- Versatile – Serve it in lettuce cups, on a croissant, or straight from the bowl.
- Make-ahead friendly – It tastes even better after a chill in the fridge!
Ingredient Swaps & Variations
- Chicken: Leftover grilled or baked chicken works just as well.
- Nuts: Try pecans or sliced almonds instead of walnuts.
- Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free mayo and omit sour cream or use a plant-based alternative.
- Add-ins: Diced apples, chopped parsley, or a handful of dried cranberries for a seasonal twist.
- Greek Yogurt Option: Swap part or all of the mayo/sour cream for plain Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
Tips & Tricks
- Chill before serving – Letting it rest for 30 minutes helps the flavors meld beautifully.
- Balance the sweetness – The lemon juice adds brightness and helps cut the sweetness of the grapes.
- Make it fancy – Serve it on mini croissants for a brunch buffet or baby shower.
Storage
Store the grape chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir before serving. We don’t recommend freezing it, fresh grapes and creamy dressings don’t hold up well once thawed.
Grape Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded or chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup red seedless grapes, halved
- 1 cup green seedless grapes, halved
- 1 cup celery, diced (about 2 stalks)
- 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add the shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Add the halved red and green grapes, celery, and walnuts to the bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and lemon juice until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture. Gently stir until everything is evenly coated and well mixed.
- Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.
- Give it a final stir before serving, and taste to adjust salt or pepper if needed.
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