Print

Creamy Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans

creamy chicken salad with grapes and pecans - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy creamy chicken salad combining tender chicken, sweet grapes, and crunchy toasted pecans with a tangy cottage cheese and mayo dressing. Perfect for summer picnics, sandwiches, or light meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped (rotisserie chicken recommended)
  • 1 cup seedless grapes, halved (red or green)
  • ½ cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped
  • ½ cup cottage cheese (small-curd, low-fat preferred)
  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ cup celery, finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons green onions, thinly sliced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and slightly browned. Transfer to a plate to cool.
  2. If not using pre-cooked chicken, poach or bake chicken breasts at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes until fully cooked. Let cool and shred or chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Halve the grapes, finely dice the celery, and thinly slice the green onions.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, cottage cheese, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. Stir until smooth and creamy. Add a splash of water or milk if a thinner dressing is desired.
  5. Add chicken, grapes, celery, green onions, and pecans to the bowl with the dressing. Gently fold together until evenly coated, being careful not to overmix.
  6. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust lemon juice or mayo if needed.
  7. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld before serving.

Notes

Toast pecans carefully to avoid burning. Use rotisserie chicken for convenience. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes or overnight for best flavor. For dairy-free, substitute cottage cheese with dairy-free yogurt and mayonnaise with vegan mayo. Pecans can be swapped with walnuts or almonds. Add fresh herbs like tarragon or dill for variation.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken salad, creamy chicken salad, grapes, pecans, summer recipe, easy chicken salad, picnic food, healthy chicken salad

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/creamy-chicken-salad-with-grapes-and-pecans-easy-homemade-recipe-for-summer/