Simple Sophisticated Chicken Salad

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Looking for a tasty and easy-to-make recipe that will satisfy your cravings and leave you feeling full and satisfied? Look no further than this delicious simple sophisticated chicken salad recipe! Made with juicy chicken breast, crunchy almonds, sweet grapes and a creamy dressing with a tangy and savory flavor, this recipe is perfect for a quick lunch, a picnic, or a light dinner.

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Chicken salad is another one of those dishes that has a thousand different variations, and they are all delicious! This is one of my favorites, and it’s associated with my friend Tracy again. Tracy’s husband, Scott, and I grew up together in Illinois, and we’ve managed to remain good friends all these years later.

Scott and Tracy got married right after college, and I used to visit them as often as I could afford the airfare. On one of my visits, they took me to a little cafe that served the best chicken salad I had ever had.

a croissant filled with creamy chicken salad with mayo and grapes

The cafe was kind enough to share their simple chicken salad recipe, and I have been enjoying it ever since. Their recipe calls for yogurt, and over the years I have switched to sour cream for a richer flavor. It’s honestly delicious either way – so adjust to your own preference. The grapes add a perfectly sweet note, and the almonds give a crunch and earthy flavor.

I like a lot of freshly-cracked pepper in mine as well. Croissants have evolved as the traditional chicken salad bread of choice for a luncheon, but this salad can hold up to a hearty whole wheat slice, or even a good rye bread. I’ve been known to eat it straight from the bowl when I’m in a hurry, and it’s great that way too!

Ingredients

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast. We season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and bake them in the oven but you can also poach or grill them. If you have leftover rotisserie chicken, use that!

Mayonnaise & Sour Cream. Chicken salad is often made with just mayonnaise, but we like to add sour cream for additional flavor. You can also use Greek yogurt.

Sliced Almonds. We like adding some crunch to our chicken salad by mixing in chopped nuts like almonds! For nut-free, add sunflower seeds or pepitas. You can also add some chewy texture by tossing in some dried cranberries, raisins or apricots.

Red Grapes. We love the juicy burst of red grapes in this salad. However, if you want to add a fruit that is lower in sugar, you can add chopped apples or even strawberries.

Salt & pepper. We keep things simple here but if you want to add some herbs as well, we recommend parsley or fresh dill. For a touch of heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.

ingredients for making creamy chicken salad in a glass bowl.

How to make this Simple Sophisticated Chicken Salad Recipe

Preheat oven to 325℉. Season chicken breasts and place in a shallow greased baking dish. Bake for 20-30 minutes until cooked through. Allow to cool and shred chicken in a food processor.
Add chopped red grapes and sliced almonds. Add mayonnaise and sour cream and season with salt and pepper. Mix well and refrigerate before serving.

ingredients for creamy chicken salad in a glass bowl.

creamy chicken salad being mixed with dressing in a glass bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Chopping Vs shredding chicken for chicken salad

We recommend shredding the chicken in a food processor or using two forks instead of chopping it! Shredding chicken results in long, thin strands and makes for the best texture and flavor. When you shred it, you create more surface and nooks and crannies for the dressing to stick to, and it will stay in your sandwich better so it will also look more visually appealing, especially if you are serving the chicken salad as a sandwich or wrap filling.

How to store chicken salad with mayo?

After making chicken salad with mayo, refrigerate it immediately. Leaving the salad at room temperature for too long can cause bacteria to grow. Transfer the chicken salad to an airtight container, such as a plastic container with a lid, or cover it tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. Creamy chicken salad with mayo can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. After that, it’s best to discard it to avoid the risk of foodborne illness.
Also, make sure to stir well before serving: give the chicken salad a good stir to redistribute any mayo that may have separated or settled at the bottom.

How to serve creamy chicken salad?

Chicken salad is most commonly served as a sandwich between two slices of bread or in a croissant. For a lower-varb version can also be scooped over leafy salad cups or stuffed inside a lettuce wrap! This would also be amazing served with crackers or as a filling for a wrap, a quesadilla or pita bread.

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