Classic Cozy Southern Chicken Salad with Pecans and Grapes
A quick and easy Southern chicken salad featuring toasted pecans and juicy grapes in a creamy, tangy dressing. Perfect for lunch, potlucks, or light dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 1/2 cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped
- 1 cup red seedless grapes, halved
- 1/2 cup finely diced celery
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat and let cool.
- If not using pre-cooked chicken, poach 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts in simmering water for 15 minutes or until cooked through. Let cool, then chop or shred into bite-sized pieces.
- Dice celery finely, slice green onions thinly, and halve the grapes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- In a mixing bowl, gently fold together the chicken, toasted pecans, grapes, celery, and green onions. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Cover and refrigerate the chicken salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.
Notes
Toast pecans to enhance flavor and crunch. Use fresh seedless grapes for best texture and sweetness. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to improve flavor. For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt. Nut-free options include toasted pumpkin seeds or omitting nuts. Adjust dressing thickness with milk or extra mayo if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 20
Keywords: chicken salad, southern chicken salad, pecans, grapes, easy lunch, homemade chicken salad, quick chicken salad