Tangy Chicken Salad Recipe: A Speedy Kitchen Delight

Joy of Cooking’s chicken salad bursts with vibrant flavors that transform mundane lunch moments into culinary adventures.

Tender shredded chicken mingles with crisp, garden-fresh vegetables in a delectable dance of textures.

Creamy mayonnaise weaves through the ingredients, creating a silky foundation that elevates every forkful.

Delicate herbs whisper subtle notes of brightness, while a hint of crunch adds playful complexity to each bite.

The recipe celebrates simplicity with sophisticated undertones that make ordinary meals extraordinary.

Light yet satisfying, this salad promises a perfect balance of nutrition and pure deliciousness.

Get ready to fall in love with a classic dish that never fails to delight the senses.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Homemade Chicken Salad

• Cooked Chicken: Select tender, high-quality chicken with no stringy or tough parts for a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

• Red Grapes, Celery, Red Onion: Choose crisp, vibrant vegetables and fruits that are firm and free from bruises to add delightful texture and fresh flavor.

• Lemon Juice, Salt, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Black Pepper: Pick freshly ground spices and bright, tangy lemon juice to enhance the overall taste profile and create a harmonious blend of flavors.

Tools to Whip Up Chicken Salad

• Mixing Bowls: One small for dressing, one large for combining ingredients.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Knife: Sharp cutting tool for chopping onions, celery, and chicken.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for safe ingredient preparation.
• Measuring Spoons: Precise tool for adding salt, spices accurately.
• Airtight Container: Ideal for storing leftover chicken salad in refrigerator.

Steps for Assembling Chicken Salad

• Prep Fresh Components

Grab your cooked chicken, crisp red grapes, sharp red onion, and crunchy celery. Quality matters, so choose vibrant, firm ingredients that’ll make your taste buds dance.

• Whip Up Zesty Dressing

Blend tangy lemon juice with a sprinkle of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and a dash of black pepper. Stir until the mixture becomes a smooth, flavor-packed liquid that’ll elevate your salad.

• Mix And Marry Flavors

Tumble the chicken, grapes, onion, and celery into a spacious bowl. Drizzle your homemade dressing over the ingredients, then gently fold everything together. Let each morsel get cozy with the seasonings, ensuring a burst of flavor in every bite.

• Serve And Store

Dig in right away for peak deliciousness. If you’ve got leftovers, slide them into a sealed container and pop in the refrigerator. Your chicken grape salad will stay fresh and tasty for several days, ready to satisfy your hunger whenever you need a quick, scrumptious meal.

Flavor Tips and Crunchy Add-ins

• Elevate Your Chicken Salad: Expert Tips and Twists
• Customize Protein Power: Swap shredded chicken with rotisserie, grilled turkey, or canned tuna for instant variety and exciting flavor shifts.
• Crunch Factor Boost: Add toasted almonds, sunflower seeds, or chopped walnuts to introduce delightful texture and nutty undertones that complement the creamy base.
• Herb Garden Remix: Sprinkle fresh chopped herbs like dill, parsley, or chives to brighten the salad's profile and add unexpected zesty notes that dance on your palate.
• Creamy Transformation: Replace standard dressing with Greek yogurt or light mayonnaise for a healthier spin that maintains incredible moisture and delivers a tangy kick without compromising taste.

How to Serve Chicken Salad, Anytime

• Picnic Perfect Pairing: Serve this chicken salad on a bed of crisp lettuce or mixed greens for a refreshing and colorful meal that pops with texture and flavor.
• Sandwich Sensation: Spread the chicken salad between two slices of toasted whole grain bread or stuff into a soft pita pocket for a satisfying lunch option that's easy to pack and enjoy.
• Elegant Appetizer Twist: Use small endive leaves or cucumber rounds as delicate vessels to showcase the chicken salad, creating bite-sized appetizers perfect for gatherings or parties that will impress your guests.
• Protein-Packed Meal Prep: Portion the chicken salad into individual containers for a quick, nutritious grab-and-go lunch that stays fresh and delicious throughout the week.

Meal Prep and Storage for Chicken Salad

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop vegetables and cook chicken in advance to streamline meal assembly and save precious time during busy weekdays.
• Refrigeration Techniques: Store chicken grape salad in a sealed glass container to maintain crisp textures and prevent moisture buildup, keeping ingredients fresh and appetizing.
• Smart Portioning: Divide salad into individual serving containers for easy grab-and-go lunches, perfect for work, picnics, or quick family meals.
• Freshness Preservation: Keep dressing separate from salad ingredients until serving to prevent soggy textures and maintain optimal crunch of grapes and celery.

Crispy Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Classic chicken salad brings Mediterranean flavors together with tender grilled chicken, crisp vegetables, and zesty herbs. Fresh ingredients and simple preparation make this dish perfect for light lunches or elegant gatherings you can savor with friends.

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Ingredients

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• 3 cups (710 ml) chicken, cooked and chopped
• 1 cup (150 g) red grapes, halved
• ½ small red onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise, light
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prep Ingredients: Dice roasted chicken, halve red grapes, finely chop red onion, and thinly slice celery to create a dynamic and textural foundation for the salad.
2. Craft Dressing: Whisk lemon juice, kosher salt, granulated garlic, powdered onion, and freshly ground black pepper in a compact mixing bowl until completely emulsified and smooth.
3. Combine and Dress: Gently fold the aromatic dressing into the chicken and grape mixture, ensuring delicate ingredients remain intact while achieving uniform flavor distribution.
4. Season and Refine: Calibrate the salad’s taste profile by incrementally adjusting seasoning, balancing the natural sweetness of grapes with the savory chicken undertones.
5. Chill and Meld: Refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes, allowing ingredients to harmonize and develop a more nuanced and sophisticated flavor complexity.
6. Store and Preserve: Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-5 days, maintaining optimal freshness and adhering to food safety guidelines by avoiding extended room temperature exposure.

Notes

• Optimize Chicken Selection: Use leftover roasted or rotisserie chicken for richer flavor and convenient preparation.
• Master Dressing Balance: Whisk dressing ingredients thoroughly to create a harmonious blend that enhances the salad’s overall taste profile.
• Preserve Ingredient Integrity: Fold ingredients gently to maintain grape and chicken piece structure, preventing unnecessary breakage.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow ingredients to meld and develop a more complex, integrated taste.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg