Updated: May 11, 2026
This chicken salad recipe is one of my favorite quick lunch recipes to prepare during busy weeks because it’s light, creamy, full of protein, and packed with fresh flavor. Made with tender chicken, crunchy celery, juicy grapes, green onions, and walnuts tossed in a homemade creamy dressing, this easy chicken salad recipe is perfect for sandwiches, lettuce wraps, meal prep, or enjoying straight from the bowl.
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Why You’ll Like This Recipe
- Simple ingredients – This easy chicken salad recipe comes together with simple ingredients in just minutes
- Perfect for Meal Prep – This is a great recipe for meal prep and make-ahead lunches
- Very Versatile – You can serve it in lettuce cups, on sandwich bread, with crackers, or over a bed of lettuce
- Great for Leftover Chicken – It’s a delicious way to use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken
Ingredients
This recipe uses fresh simple ingredients:
- Cooked Chicken – Tender chopped chicken is the heart of this classic chicken salad recipe and provides plenty of protein. For this recipe, you can use rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken breasts, or even a whole chicken.
- Celery – Crunchy celery adds freshness and texture to the salad while balancing the creamy dressing.
- Green Onions – Green onions bring a mild onion flavor that complements the chicken without overpowering the recipe.
- Red Seedless Grapes – This is not a common ingredient in most chicken salad recipes, but you have to try it! Fresh grapes add sweetness and juicy bites throughout the salad. Chicken salad with grapes recipe variations are popular because the sweetness pairs perfectly with savory chicken. The sweet and savory combo in this recipe are everything!
- Mayonnaise – Mayonnaise creates the creamy dressing that ties everything together. Use your favorite homemade mayo or store-bought version.
- Celery Salt – Celery salt enhances the flavor of the crunchy celery and adds subtle savory depth.
- Salt & Black Pepper – A little salt and black pepper help balance all of the flavors in this traditional chicken salad recipe.
- Walnuts – Walnuts add texture, richness, and a delicious crunch to every bite.
How to Make This Chicken Salad Recipe
This recipe comes together in just four easy steps:
STEP 1: Gather Your Ingredients – Begin by washing and preparing all ingredients. Dice the celery and green onions, cut the grapes into small bite-sized pieces, and chop the cooked chicken.
STEP 2: Mix the Chicken Salad – In a large bowl, combine the chopped chicken, mayonnaise, celery, green onions, grapes, celery salt, salt, black pepper, and walnuts. Stir until everything is evenly coated in the creamy dressing.
STEP 3: Taste and Adjust – Taste the salad and add additional salt or black pepper if desired. You can also add fresh herbs like fresh dill for even more flavor.
STEP 4: Serve and Enjoy – Serve this creamy chicken salad on sandwich bread, inside lettuce wraps, in lettuce cups, over a bed of lettuce, or with crackers for an easy quick lunch. Or you chill in the refrigerator and enjoy later!
Chicken Salad Tips
- Use rotisserie chicken for the best way to save time on busy weekdays.
- For a shredded texture, pulse the chicken salad through a food processor for a few extra seconds.
- Chill the chicken salad for 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors time to develop.
- Cut the grapes into small pieces so every bite has balanced flavor.
- If you prefer a lighter dressing, swap part of the mayonnaise for sour cream, plain Greek yogurt, or nonfat Greek yogurt.
- Fresh herbs like dill or parsley add lots of flavor to this homemade chicken salad.
- Dice ingredients into bite-sized pieces for the best texture.
Storage & Make Ahead Tips
You can store this leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. For the freshest flavor, keep the salad tightly covered with plastic wrap or in a sealed container. This chicken salad recipe is excellent for meal prep and make-ahead lunches because the flavors continue to develop as it chills. If preparing in advance for family gatherings, you can chop the ingredients the night before and mix everything together the next day.
More Salad Recipes
If you loved this creamy chicken salad recipe, here are a few more healthy salad recipes to try next:
- Chickpea Cucumber Salad
- Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad
- Greek Salad
- Black Eyed Pea Salad
- Cucumber Dill Salad
FAQ
Can I make chicken salad ahead of time?
Yes! In my opinion, this recipe is ideal for make-ahead lunches and tastes even better after chilling for a few hours. Even the next day!
Can I freeze chicken salad?
Freezing is not recommended because mayonnaise-based dressings can separate once thawed.
What can I serve with chicken salad?
You can serve this salad with crackers, croissants, sandwich bread, lettuce wraps, lettuce cups, or over a bed of lettuce. Be creative & enjoy!
Can I substitute the mayonnaise?
Absolutely! Plain Greek yogurt, sour cream, or a mixture of both can be used in place of mayonnaise for a lighter version.
Recipe Card
Chicken Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups Chicken, cooked, chopped
- 1 rib Celery, chopped
- ½ cup Red Grapes, chopped
- 2 stems Green Onions, chopped
- ¾ cup Mayonnaise
- ¼ tsp Celery Salt
- ⅓ cup Walnuts, chopped
- Salt & Pepper to taste, I used around ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp of pepper
Instructions
- Begin by washing and preparing all ingredients. Dice the celery and green onions, cut the grapes into small bite-sized pieces, and chop the cooked chicken. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped chicken, mayonnaise, celery, green onions, grapes, celery salt, salt, black pepper, and walnuts. Stir until everything is evenly coated in the creamy dressing. Taste the salad and add additional salt or black pepper if desired. You can also add fresh herbs like fresh dill for even more flavor.
- Serve this creamy chicken salad on sandwich bread, inside lettuce wraps, in lettuce cups, over a bed of lettuce, or with crackers for an easy quick lunch. Or you chill in the refrigerator and enjoy later!
Notes
- Rotisserie chicken works wonderfully in this recipe and makes prep even easier for busy weekdays.
- For a shredded chicken salad texture, pulse the mixture in a food processor for a few seconds before serving.
- Chill the chicken salad for 30 minutes before serving for even better flavor.
- Fresh dill or parsley can be added for extra freshness and flavor.
- For a lighter version, substitute part of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt or sour cream.
- Serve this chicken salad in sandwiches, croissants, lettuce wraps, lettuce cups, or with crackers.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Craving More?
I hope you enjoy this easy chicken salad recipe as much as I do! If you make this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram at @elicitfolio so I can see your creations. You can also follow along on Pinterest for more recipe inspiration or leave a comment below sharing what salad recipes you would love to see me make next.
