The Best Chicken Salad

This is the Best Chicken Salad EVER! Perfect for summer picnics, festive lunches and anytime in between!

I love a great sandwich, especially when it’s more than just turkey and cheese. You have to try these other tried and true sandwiches, Egg Salad, Grilled Cheese, and French Dip, definitely something special!

The Best Chicken Salad

This Chicken Salad is truly divine. At first glance you might balk at the grapes, but trust me, they make the salad exquisite. The sweet crunch of the grapes combines beautifully with the chicken and richness of the mayo. The celery and pecans create nice crunch to the chicken salad that elevates it to the next level.

I love using this for picnics and special lunches. It is so easy to make but it is so fancy at the same time. Chicken Salad comes together in a flash so you can have this on the table in no time. And you will love how it is so versatile as well, serve it as a wrap, on a croissant, on some rye bread, or in a lettuce bowl. However you serve it, just make it! You are going to love it, it is so divine!

What You Need For Ultimate Chicken Salad Recipe

Simple and fresh, this chicken salad will come together quickly. Cook your chicken ahead of time or purchase an already cooked chicken to save on time. This chicken salad will become a favorite to make! The total amounts of ingredients is located in the recipe card.

• Cooked Chicken: chopped or shredded chicken is best.
• Grapes: I used red grapes, they are a bit sweeter than green. Slice in half or cut into cubes.
• Pecans: You can purchase chopped pecans for this salad.
• Green onions: I like to finely chop the green onions for a bit of a kick in each bite.
• Celery: Finely diced using a knife or a shredder.
• Mayonnaise: Do not use salad dressing, it will alter the taste.
• Juice from ½ lemon: Yes, you can use bottled.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds the perfect amount of zippy flavor to this chicken salad.
• Salt and pepper: Add to taste!

How To Make Quick and Easy Chicken Salad

Letting this sit in the fridge for a bit, helps meld the flavors together. Shoot for at least an hour. In a medium sized bowl combine the chicken, grapes, pecans, green onions, celery, mayonnaise, lemon, and mustard. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve with croissants, romaine, or with crackers. This chicken salad is always so fun for everyone to make their own sandwich or add it on top of green lettuce.

Tips and Variations For The Best Chicken Salad

Crunchy, savory, sweet, and a bit creamy chicken salad is the perfect dish.

• Chicken: Use any type of chicken you have on hand. You can use rotisserie, leftover BBQ, roasted, or even broiled chicken. Whatever you use, chop it up or shred it so it is easy to spread, spoon, and eat.
• Grapes: You can use red or green grapes or a combination of both. Green grapes can be a bit tart sometimes and the red grapes add color.
• Nuts: Pecans are a classic but you can substitute them for walnuts, almonds, or cashews. Roast them for a bit of extra flavor.
• Mayonnaise: If you are not a fan of mayo, you can use sour cream or non-fat Greek yogurt.
• Different Fruit: Try chopped apples or dried cranberries.

What to Serve with Chicken Salad Sandwich

There are a few ways to present this amazing chicken salad. Spread it on a flakey croissant, (the best way), serve with ritz crackers and a vegetable tray, or serve in lettuce cups for a low carb option. Salty potato chips, in my opinion, are a must, but there are other options that will still make a satisfying meal, whether it’s lunch or dinner. Serve with a wonderful cup of soup, some fruit, and vegetables with this incredible dip and you’ve got it made!

Dressings, Sauces, and Dips

Fluffy Marshmallow Cream Cheese Fruit Dip (3 ingredients!)

Side Dishes

Refrigerator Pickles

Side Dishes

Air Fryer Potato Chips

Appetizers

Fresh Rainbow Fruit Skewers

Can You Store Cold Chicken Salad Recipe

• Make-Ahead: I enjoy this even more after it has sat in the fridge for a bit, so it’s perfect for making it ahead.
• Store: Keep this in the fridge tightly covered for up to 4 days.

More Chicken Recipes to Love

Chicken is a fabulous protein to have, it is versatile, full of good nutrients, and low fat. It is relatively easy to cook, and because of its mild flavor, goes with just about every combination of spices, herbs, and sauces. I always have chicken on hand for quick dinners, which can be fancy or down-home good. Chicken can be air-fried, grilled, sauteed, baked, or roasted. You can stuff it, chop it and shred it. Add whatever flavors you desire and you have a winner-winner chicken dinner on your hands. Here are the best to get you started.

Dinner

Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken

Dinner

Baked Honey Sesame Chicken

Dinner

Tender and Juicy Air Fryer Chicken

Dinner

Creamy Parmesan Garlic Mushroom Chicken

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Chicken Salad

This is the Best Chicken Salad EVER! Perfect for summer picnics, festive lunches and anytime in between!

Course Dinner, Main Course, Salad

Cuisine American

Keyword chicken salad, chicken salad recipe, chicken salad sandwich

Prep Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 8 servings

Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups cooked chicken chopped
• 1 cup grapes quartered
• 1 cup pecans chopped
• 4 green onions chopped
• 1/2 cup celery finely diced
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• Juice from ½ lemon
• 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• In a medium sized bowl combine the chicken, grapes, pecans, green onions, celery, mayonnaise, lemon, and mustard. Salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve with croissants, romaine, or with crackers.

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Absolutely Perfect Chicken Marinade

This absolutely perfect chicken marinade will make your chicken so tender and juicy you will be amazed!!  This will be the one recipe that you use on repeat all summer!

Since you guys loved my steak marinade so much, I made this perfect chicken marinade recipe for you!  This recipe was created from my Greek Dressing which makes the flavor of this chicken unbelievable!

Absolutely Perfect Chicken Marinade

I have found that clean eating helps me so much! I feel and look better!  Although, sometimes when I’m trying to eat healthy it seems like meals can get boring with just a meat and vegetable.  However, when my chicken is filled with this much flavor I don’t feel like I am sacrificing to eat healthy at all.  Whether I cook it on the grill, in the oven, or on the stove top, I am able to achieve a delicious meal with this marinade every time!

Trust me when I say this chicken marinade recipe is going to totally change your chicken game.  The chicken recipes you love will be so much better! No more dry and flavorless chicken.  This marinade is so simple and will be a go-to for sure!

Marinade Ingredients:

All of these ingredients work so well together to create a well balanced flavor in your chicken.  Like any good marinade, you will find an acid (vinegar), an oil (olive oil), and a combination of herbs and spices for amazing flavor.  A bonus is that many of them will be ingredients you already own!

• Olive oil: Keeps the chicken extra moist and juicy
• Red Wine Vinegar: Breaks down the fibers in the chicken to make it tender.
• Garlic Cloves: Fresh is best, but using a jar will work too.
• Italian Seasoning: The Italian seasonings blend is such a classic spice combo that will go with any meal.
• Lemon Juice: I love using a bit of citrus to freshen up the flavor.
• Soy Sauce: Adds saltiness and flavor.
• Dijon Mustard: Great spice for the chicken.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds great flavor and more saltiness.
• Salt and pepper: To taste!

Combining the Marinade:

Making a marinade is so simple you will be amazed. And even better, you don’t have to use ANY dishes!! You will add the ingredients directly into a large seal-able bag and add your chicken.  And that’s it.  So simple and so worth it!

1. Combine: Place all marinade ingredients into a gallon sized bag.
2. Add chicken to marinade: Carefully coat the chicken in the marinade for at least one hour or overnight.
3. Remove chicken: After a minimum of 1 hour, remove the chicken from marinade and discard.

The Best Ways to Cook Marinated Chicken:

The good news is when cooking marinated chicken you have so many great options for cooking.  We love to use the grill over the summer at my house, but I have listed below directions for stove top or baking in the oven as well.  Whatever option you choose, this absolutely perfect chicken marinade will take your chicken to the next level!!

• Baking Instructions: Place marinated chicken on a shallow baking pan in a 400 degree oven for 22-25 minutes.  Chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
• Stove top: Grease a skillet and heat to medium-high heat.  Cook for 10 minutes on each side.  Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
• Grill: Place on cleaned and oiled grill rack at medium heat for 9-10 minutes depending on the thickness of your chicken.  Turn chicken over halfway through cook time.  Once internal temperature reaches 165 degrees, remove from the grill.
• Slow Cooker: Add marinated chicken to your slow cooker.  Then cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.

Helpful Questions About Marinating Chicken:

When I first started creating a perfect chicken marinade recipe I had so many questions about how to use it! I mean a lot of questions!  I know many of you may be wondering the same things, so I have shared some of the things I have learned when cooking using this amazing marinade.

• How long do I marinate?  Marinades are effective with as little as 30 minutes of soak time, however I find that an marinating overnight in the refrigerator will make your meal prep feel so much easier the next day and give your chicken the most flavor.
• What if I marinate too long?  If chicken is left too long in the marinade it will actually become more dense and tough.  So, be sure to remove the chicken from the marinade before 2 days.
• Do you marinate in the fridge?  Always marinate meat in the refrigerator.  Do not marinate at room temperature or outdoors.  Otherwise bacteria can very quickly multiply on your raw meat.
• Do I need to poke holes in my chicken before marinating? Use a fork to pierce the chicken breasts all over. This will guarantee that the marinade will soak completely into the chicken to make it juicy.
• What type of Chicken do I use? Use whatever types of chicken you prefer — chicken breasts, thinly sliced chicken breasts, chicken tenders, or chicken thighs.  All of these options work fantastic with this marinade.  Chicken tenders and thinly sliced chicken breast will cook much quicker than thick chicken breasts so beware and keep a close eye on cook times.

How to Get Soft and Juicy Chicken Every Time:

First of all, always start with a marinade to make your chicken extra juicy and flavorful!  This perfect chicken marinade is made with all the essentials to make your chicken taste amazing and super tender.  In addition to that, I recommend flattening your chicken breasts before marinating and cooking as well to help you navigate cook time and get the most juicy, well-cooked chicken possible.  Finally, I recommend preheating the grill or pan before placing your chicken on it.

Storing Marinated Chicken:

If you do not plan to use the marinated chicken within a few days, then you need to store it in the freezer.  Otherwise, it can be stored in the refrigerator.

• To store: Place your chicken in a freezer bag, pushing as much air as possible out before sealing.  Raw, marinated chicken pieces can be stored in the freezer up to 9 months or the refrigerator for just a couple of days.  While cooked chicken can be stored in the freezer for about 2-6 months and the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
• To Defrost Frozen Chicken: Place the chicken overnight in the refrigerator.  I find that adding the marinade before freezing my chicken is so helpful.  Then, I can just pull it out when I need it and cook it right away. So quick and easy and delicious!

Try More Chicken Recipes!

• Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken
• Baked Chicken Thighs
• Baked Parmesan Garlic Chicken
• Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken
• Lemon Garlic Butter Herb Chicken Asparagus

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Absolutely Perfect Chicken Marinade

This absolutely perfect chicken marinade will make your chicken so tender and juicy you will be amazed!!  This will be the one recipe that you use on repeat all summer!

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword chicken, chicken marinade, marinade

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 6 Pieces of Chicken

Calories 172kcal

Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients into a gallon sized bag. Add chicken and marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight. Remove chicken from marinade and discard.

Notes

I like to brush the chicken with the marinade a few times during the grilling process.

Nutrition

Calories: 172kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 374mg | Potassium: 52mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 14IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg

 

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