Description
Creamy chicken salad brings Mediterranean charm to classic comfort. Crisp herbs, tangy Greek yogurt, and tender chicken create a refreshing lunch that transports palates to sunny coastal kitchens where you’ll savor each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 3 cups (710 ml) cooked chicken, chopped
Fruits and Vegetables:
- 1 cup (150 g) red grapes, cut in half
- ½ small red onion, diced small
- 2 stalks celery, diced
Seasonings and Dressing:
- ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise (light)
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a spacious mixing vessel, combine diced roasted chicken pieces, halved red grapes, finely chopped red onion, and thinly sliced celery for a vibrant and textural base.
- Create a zesty dressing by whisking together freshly squeezed lemon juice, kosher salt, granulated garlic, powdered onion, and freshly ground black pepper in a separate small mixing bowl until thoroughly integrated.
- Gently pour the prepared dressing over the chicken and grape mixture, using a folding technique to ensure even distribution and prevent grape or chicken piece breakage.
- Taste the salad and carefully adjust seasoning, incrementally adding additional salt and pepper to achieve a balanced flavor profile that complements the natural sweetness of the grapes and savory chicken.
- For optimal texture and flavor melding, refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes before serving, allowing the ingredients to harmonize and develop a more complex taste.
- Store the chicken grape salad in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days, ensuring food safety by discarding if left at room temperature exceeding 2 hours.
Notes
- Savor the unexpected crunch from toasted almond slivers that elevate this salad’s texture and bring a delightful nutty undertone.
- Transform the dressing’s richness by swapping half the mayonnaise with creamy Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier profile.
- Mellow out sharp red onion bite by soaking diced pieces in cold water, creating a gentler flavor without losing the vegetable’s essence.
- Experiment with green grapes for a different sweetness level, and consider a quick oven roast to intensify their natural sugars.
- Select a combination of chicken cuts – dark and white meat – to build deeper, more complex flavor layers through roasting or grilling techniques.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg