While chicken salad may have originated in the early 1800s as a way to repurpose leftover chicken into a new, satisfying meal, many of us find it’s reason alone to cook chicken!
From basil chicken salad to a Waldorf chicken salad to curried chicken salad, I pretty much like them all. And, considering there is even a restaurant devoted to different types of chicken salad, Chicken Salad Chick, I’m not alone.
Make this chicken salad with grapes and pecan for a delicious meal. Place it on a bed of lettuce, add strawberries and avocado, and then a side of basil ranch dressing.
Over the years, chicken salad has become a staple at picnics, luncheons, and brunches. And, with tea time becoming “a thing” again, chicken salad is finding its way into many more finger sandwiches than it did just a few years ago.
I was not a fan of grapes in chicken salad until a few years ago when I ate some with one major difference: the grapes were cut smaller. That one thing changed it for me, and I now love it. You see, a grape cut in half is just too much grape in the chicken salad. Cut it smaller, and the grapes aren’t overwhelming.
Adding grapes and pecans to chicken salad is especially loved here in the South, where sweet and savory combinations are popular. Grapes add a burst of sweetness, while pecans are the go-to regional nut adding some nice crunch. Pairing this delicious chicken salad with lettuce, fresh strawberries, avocado, and basil ranch dressing elevates it to a whole new level, making it perfect for a light lunch or dinner. When the weather is warmer, add this to your summer salad roundup.
For the “homemade” basil-ranch dressing, blend a cup of your favorite ranch dressing with 1/4 cup of fresh basil (about ten large leaves). It brings a new, fresh flavor to the dressing. Add a squeeze of lemon juice, garlic, or green onions to make your own special recipe.
If you’ve been searching for your go-to chicken salad for summer, this one with grapes and pecans might be the one. And, of course, you can make sandwiches with this chicken salad or simply eat it on its own. With strawberries and avocado, it’s extra delicious.
And, I had all my ingredients delivered via Kroger’s Boost delivery service, which I continue to use as the best grocery delivery service I’ve found, while getting 2x fuel points along the way!
Best Chicken Salad with Grapes, Pecans, and a Fresh Strawberry-Avocado Salad with Basil Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans
- 4 cups cooked chicken, shredded, or chopped This is roughly the meat from one regular-sized rotisserie chicken from Kroger
- 1 cup seedless red and green grapes cut to 1/4 or 1/6 size
- 1 cup pecans roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup dried low-sugar cranberries Kroger makes some that are low-sugar and delicious!
- 2 green onions thinly sliced
- 1 cup celery diced
- 1 cup mayonnaise (you can use more if you prefer)
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Basil Ranch Dressing
- 1 cup ranch dressing of choice
- 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped (about 10 leaves)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Strawberry-Avocado Salad
- 9 cups mixed lettuce greens or romaine lettuce
- 3 cups strawberries sliced
- 2 avocados peeled, pitted, and sliced
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken, grapes, pecans, green onions, celery, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. Taste and decide if it needs salt and pepper. I find it always needs pepper, but depending on the saltiness of your chicken, it may not need salt.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- To prepare the Basil Ranch Dressing, mix the ranch dressing and chopped basil in a blender. You can also hand mix it, but it is better in a food processor or blender.
- Assemble the Strawberry-Avocado Salad by dividing the mixed lettuce greens among 6 serving plates. Top with sliced strawberries and 1/3 of an avocado.
- Scoop a cup of the Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans onto each Strawberry-Avocado Salad. Serve with the Basil Ranch Dressing.
Nutrition
If you love chicken salad and want another version, try this Apple-Walnut Chicken Salad below:
While I typically save this chicken salad with apples and walnuts for fall, it’s good any time of year. A little sprinkle of blue cheese is so delicious! And the McCarty pottery platter is a nice added touch, right?!
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Check out our 12 Delicious Summer Salads for more salad goodness!
