Easy Chicken Salad with Grapes, celery and cranberries, tossed with light sour cream dressing. Perfect lunch you can make ahead and enjoy served in sweet rolls.
This chicken salad is perfect for lunch, just like my Pesto Pasta Salad in a jar or Classic Waldorf Salad.
School is almost back in session and it's this time of year when us, busy parents, are looking for easy and healthy lunches for the kids as well as us. When I am not making my Ham and Cheese Tortilla Roll-Ups, I make a batch of Chicken Salad with Grapes. Chicken salad is a great idea for lunch on busy days because you can make it ahead of time. This lighter and nut-free version is healthy and delicious!
Serve in Hawaiian rolls or lettuce or tortilla wraps for an easy and satisfying lunch or light dinner. Crunchy celery and sweet and juicy grapes, as well as slightly tart dried cranberries, pair so well with cooked and cubed chicken. This Chicken Salad with Grapes is packed with flavor and crunch.
How to lighten up a chicken salad?
I am always trying to find a way to lighten up traditionally mayo-based salads. It's quite easy, actually! I make the dressing with sour cream or Greek yogurt with a minimal amount of mayo, just for the creamy texture. If you ever made a creamy pasta salad using only sour cream, you noticed that after chilling it for a few hours, the salad is not creamy anymore. To keep the desirable texture, you need a little bit of mayo. For a ¾ cup of dressing, I used only 2 tablespoons of mayo. You don't have to use the classic mayo either. Right now there are a lot of healthier options in most stores. I am a big fan of organic mayo and avocado mayo.
Serving:
Traditionally, chicken salad with grapes is served in croissants. I actually like to enjoy them as a pastry with my morning coffee. I like to serve this salad in Hawaiian rolls. They are sweet which goes with the flavors of this salad and sliders are always fun to eat. You can use gluten-free wraps or serve in lettuce cups.
How to cook chicken for chicken salad?
I always try to cook at least one chicken breast for a salad to enjoy throughout the week. You can use leftover roasted chicken or rotisserie chicken in this salad recipe. I cook mine in my Instant Pot pressure cooker because it takes only 8 minutes. Cook until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F. Cool completely on a cutting board, then cut into ½" cubes.
More salad recipes:
- Chickpea Salad
- BLT Sandwich with Avocado
- Pesto Pasta Salad
If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀
Easy Chicken Salad with Grapes
Ingredients
- 1 lb cooked chicken cut into ½" cubes
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup red grapes halved
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayo
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl or a measuring cup, whisk together sour cream (or Greek yogurt), mayo, salt and pepper.
- Place all remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add dressing and toss together. Cover and chill until ready to use.
- Serve in sweet Hawaiian rolls or tortilla wraps or lettuce cups.
Marian says
Yes! Making this for company on-the-deck supper this evening, about the 10th time I've used your recipe. Easy, so tasty, and love the sour cream dressing! I make exactly as the recipe specifies, measuring each ingredient. Served on a lettuce leaf with croissants from the local bakery, just my favorite summer dish.
Anna says
Hi Marian! Thank you for such a wonderful review! I am so glad the salad is such a hit! Thank you!
Carolyn says
This also is very good adding walnuts, a small amount honey mustard and honey.
Wendy W says
I made this tonight and it is delicious. I followed the recipe to a point. I added red onion but deleted the salt and pepper as we are watching our salt intake. Mom had thirds. We did not use any type of bread.
Jessica says
There is no better way to have a chicken salad than with the addition of grapes!
Cathy says
My favorite kind of chicken salad! Now I'm craving it!
Christina says
Man, I haven't had chicken salad in ages! And I LOVE chicken salad! I love adding fruit to a chicken salad, your recipe looks amazing!!!
Catalina says
I love this flavor combination!
Abeer says
I never thought of about adding grapes in a chicken salad before. I am sure it adds a nice burst of sweetness!
Sues says
I LOVE adding grapes to my chicken salad... Makes it SO much better. This looks like the perfect lunch!
Allyson Zea says
This looks perfect served on a croissant! YUM!
Jen says
I've never made it with grapes before. I like that addition!
Amanda says
I always put grapes in my chicken salad... it adds such a fantastic flavor and texture!