Southern Chicken Salad with Grapes
The quintessential southern chicken salad 🙂
Most southern women have a chicken salad recipe handed down from their grandmother. Me? Not so much, so I created this one on my own. I do switch it up a bit using different nuts and fresh herbs in season, so feel free to use it as a starting point!
Add tons of flavor by cooking the chicken this way!
Whatever you do, please don’t boil your chicken for chicken salad. This just takes away the opportunity to elevate your salad and also makes for a rubbery texture. Feel free to use a store-bought rotisserie chicken, just know that you won’t have the nice, even cut chunks but you will have nice flavor. Here is how I prepare chicken for chicken salad that is perfect every single time!
A couple other secrets to make it extraordinary….
Southern Chicken Salad with grapes and nuts
The creaminess of the dressing, crunch of the almonds and sweetness of the grapes makes for a winning combination.
Ingredients
- 3 large Baked chicken breasts cubed to bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup Celery medium chop
- 1/4 cup Red onion finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Toasted slivered almonds you can substitute walnuts or pecans
- 1 1/2 cup Red seedless grapes halved
- 1 cup Mayonaise
- 1/2 cup Bread and butter pickle juice
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp ground white pepper
- 1 tsp celery seed
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried dill
- 1/2 cup chopped bread and butter pickles
Instructions
- In large mixing bowl combine the chicken, celery, onions, nuts and grapes.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together mayo and pickle juice until smooth and well combined. Add all dry herbs and spices and mix until blended. Stir in the chopped pickles until combined.
- Pour dressing over chicken mixture and toss until evenly coated.
- Serve on a lettuce leaf, croisant, toast or crackers.
