Chicken Salad with Grapes and Apples

Chicken Salad with Grapes and Apples is so colorful and healthy, loaded with fresh fruits and veggies! It's easy to make up a large batch using rotisserie chicken, and is a great lunch to meal prep for busy weeks!

Why We Love It!

• Perfect Meal Prep! - Fruit Chicken Salad is one of my favorite meal prep lunches! I love making different variations, like my Curry Chicken Salad, to have prepped in the fridge for the week. It's good up to 4 days and can be eaten as a sandwich, deli wrap, or as a quick dip with crackers or pitas. I've even had luck with the kids liking it rolled up in a tortilla!

• Amazing Flavor! - There are millions of recipes for chicken salad, but this has always been my favorite! Chicken salad with apples, grapes and pecans, plus fresh herbs, lemon, onion, celery and the perfect mix of spices, it's simply delicious!

• Versatile and Easy to Substitute! - I love the combination of the juicy grapes and apples, but this recipe can easily be adapted. You can swap pears for the apples, or substitute blueberries or dried cranberries for the grapes for a whole new combination. The nuts can be any kind, like chopped almonds, walnuts, cashews or pistachios. Use a rotisserie chicken or cook your own Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Breast!

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Cooked Chicken - Rotisserie chicken salad with grapes and apples is a great way to make this super fast and easy! It's easiest to remove and shred the meat from the bones when you get it home hot from the store, it's a bit more difficult after being refrigerated. And freeze those bones for Homemade Chicken Stock! Another great option is to cook Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Breasts. Cooled leftover chicken, cooked in any way, can also be used!

• Celery - Adds nutrition and a fresh crunch!

• Onion - Adds flavor and a bit of sharpness. Any onion like yellow, white, red or shallots will work great.

• Grapes - Chicken Salad with Grapes really adds so much fresh flavor and juiciness! You could also substitute fresh blueberries or a big handful of dried cranberries or golden raisins.

• Apples - The apples are so delicious in this recipe! They add a juicy, bright tart flavor, extra nutrition and when mixed in with the lemon and mayo, they stay fresh and won't brown.

• Chives - Herbs bring a vibrant fresh feel so use them if you can! Chives, basil, parsley, scallions or even spinach are all ok to use, although each will give you a slightly different flavor.

• Pecans or Almonds - Nuts add protein and a crunchy texture to the chicken salad. Other nuts can be substituted like walnuts, cashews or pistachios.

• Lemon Juice - Fresh lemon juice brings so much flavor, but also helps preserve the chicken salad. Use all the juice from half a lemon and make sure to discard the seeds!

• Nutmeg - Adds a subtle layer of underlying spice, you don't really notice it, but it's there. Super delicious!

• Cayenne Pepper - Adds a little kick while hardly being noticeable!

• Salt & Pepper - Flavors your chicken salad, but adjust the seasoning based on how salty your chicken is. Rotisserie chicken can be very salty, so you may want to start with a bit less, or even none, and adjust as you taste.

• Dijon Mustard - Adds a pop of flavor.

• Mayonnaise - Mayo is the base of the salad and the amount can really be a personal preference. Start with a little and add more until you reach the consistency you like!

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1 - Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.

Step 2 - Serve chicken salad on sandwiches, toast, buns, croissants, deli wraps, salad, crackers or pitas.

How to Serve Chicken Salad

• Chicken Salad Wraps or Sandwiches - Rolled up in large tortillas with lettuce or spinach, they make a perfect lunch! And any sandwich tastes better on Homemade Dutch Oven Bread!

• Chicken Salad Croissants - Being able to make this recipe ahead means it is also great for entertaining.  My mom and I have hosted many an afternoon baby shower with fancied up chicken salad on croissants, a simple fruit platter, a Blueberry Goat Cheese Salad, and an appetizer like this Raisin Pine Nut Goat Cheese Dip.

• Chicken Salad Melts - This fruit and veggie chicken salad can be served hot with melted cheese just like a tuna melt. Just pile it on a slice of bread with a slice of cheese and bake on a sheet pan in the oven at 400° until heated through and melty. Makes a great dinner too!

• Chicken Salad Salad - Yes, scoop a bit of your apple grape chicken salad over lettuce greens for a healthy lunch! Add extras like chopped strawberries or blueberries, cucumber, goat cheese, cherry tomato, avocado, and this Easy Vinaigrette in a Jar!

• Chicken Salad Dip - For the easiest lunch, just pull out your meal prepped pecan apple chicken salad and scoop it onto crackers or tortilla chips. Serve with veggies and Mediterranean Hummus, it's a complete meal!

If you made this recipe, I'd love to hear how you liked it!  Leave a star rating by clicking the stars in the recipe card, or leave a comment below!

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