Chicken Salad with Grape, Apple & Almond Recipe | Kitchenstagram
This Chicken Salad with Grape, Apple & Almonds strikes the perfect harmony of brightness, crunch and gentle sweetness, making it a versatile dish you can enjoy in countless ways. Pile it onto to your favourite bread, spoon it over crisp greens, or enjoy it straight from the bowl- it never disappoints. Though often called a “fancy” version thanks to its vibrant additions, the recipe remains wonderfully simple and approachable.
What makes this variation stand out is its refreshing twist on the traditional version. Tender chicken meets juicy grapes, crisp celery and fragrant herbs, creating a mix of flavours and textures that feel both light and satisfying. Every bite offers a combination of savory, sweet, tangy and slightly nutty notes, giving the salad a lively personality that easily fits into weekly menus. It’s a great choice for fast lunches, effortless dinners or make-ahead meals.
Keeping it chilled is key. For food safety and best taste, serve it straight from the refrigerator and avoid leaving it out for more tan a short time, especially in warm conditions. A well chilled bowl brings out its refreshing qualities even more.
The preparation couldn’t be more convenient. A creamy herb dressing comes together quickly and pairs beautifully with chopped cooked chicken, rotisserie chicken or leftovers work perfectly. Toss in the grapes, onions, celery and nuts and everything blends into a cool, textural mix with a satisfying contrasts of creamy, crunchy and juicy elements. It’s a dish that feels special without requiring much effort.
One of the best thing about this chicken salad is its flexibility. Scoop it into croissants for a soft, buttery sandwich, serve it with crackers for an effortless snack, spoon it over lettuce for a light meal or fold it into wraps for a potable option. It adapts to whoever you’re in the mood for.
Although you can enjoy it immediately, giving it sometime to rest in the fridge allows the flavours to deepen and settle. A couple of hours makes a noticeable difference, and an overnight rest makes it even more delicious. With its freshness, ease and adaptability, this chicken Salad with Grape, Apple & Almonds is sure to become a regular favourite.
Why you’ll love this recipe?
This chicken salad stands out for being effortlessly elegant, making it perfect for casual lunches, parties or weekly meal prep.
Its appeal comes from the mix of bright, creamy dressing notes paired with the gentle sweetness of grapes.
The contrast of tender chicken, crisp nuts and fresh herbs creates a refreshing satisfying balance in every serving.
It’s flexible- use roasted chicken, rotisserie or leftovers as long as the meat is flavourful and tender.
Uniformly chopping the ingredients ensures each bite has the ideal blend of textures and flavours.
Reliable, crowd pleasing and easy to prepare, this chicken salad quickly becomes a go-to recipe you’ll revisit often.
Ingredients needed for Agua de Pepino:
Chicken: Use any cooked chicken you enjoy- baked, sautéed, roasted or even rotisserie. White or dark meat both work, but darker cuts bring extra moisture and depth, creating a hearty base for the salad.
Grapes: Red or purple grapes are classic choice because they look vibrant ad offer a juicy sweetness that brightens each bite. Green grapes work just as well if you prefer a sharper flavour. Cutting them in halves or quarters helps distribute their flavour throughout the bowl and ensures every forkful gets a little burst of fruity freshness.
Apples: Crisp apples bring a refreshing crunch and gentle sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the creamy dressing. They help keep the overall texture lively and prevent the salad from feeling heavy.
Toasted Almonds or Other Nuts: A handful of nuts adds crunch and richness. Lightly toasting almonds heightens their aroma and makes their flavour more pronounced. You can swap in walnuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, pecans or pepitas based on what you have available. Sliced or slivered nuts both work- just toast them gently in a dry pan to avoid burning.
Red Onion: A small amount of finely chopped red onion introduces a sharp, savory element that wakes up the salad. If you prefer something gentler, a sweet onion works nicely. Green onions are also an option, though red onion tends to hold up longer once the salad is chilled.
Fresh Herbs: Herbs brighten the flavour and add freshness. Chives, dill, parsley and tarragon are excellent choices. Use one or a mix depending on what you enjoy. Even a small amount makes the salad more vibrant.
Salt & Pepper: Basic seasoning is essential. A little salt enhances the natural flavours of chicken and fruit, while cracked black pepper adds subtle heat and complexity.
Mayonnaise: Mayo creates the creamy foundation of the dressing and helps bind all the ingredients together. If you want a lighter texture or tangier profile, you can blend the mayo with Greek yogurt.
Sour Cream: Sour cream adds cool creaminess and a mild tang that balances the sweetness of the fruit. Feel free to replace it with a lighter version or full-fat yogurt if you prefer.
Apple Cider Vinegar: A splash of vinegar cuts through the richness and adds brightness. Its gentle acidity helps lift the overall flavour.
Dijon Mustard: Provides a sharp, slightly spicy note that makes the dressing more layered and interesting. It gives the salad a subtle sophistication without overpowering it.
Honey: Honey adds sweetness and balance tangy and savory flavour.
Serving Suggestions:
Chicken Salad is one of those versatile dishes that fits almost any occasion- quick lunches, potlucks, picnics or elegant gatherings. With its creamy texture, juicy chicken and sweet pops of grapes, there are so many fun and delicious ways to enjoy it.
Make a Sandwich: Spread a generous scoop onto toasted bread, soft rolls or buttery croissants for an easy meal. The contrast of warm, crisp brad with chilled chicken salad makes every bite extra satisfying. Add a layer of lettuce or a slice of tomato if you like a bit of crunch and colour.
Serve with crackers: A simple, no-fuss option is pairing chicken salad with your favourite crackers. It works well as an afternoon snack, a quick lunch or a party platter. Thin, crisp crackers or heartier wheat-style ones both do the job beautifully.
Create a Lettuce Cup Lunch: For a lighter, low-carb serving idea, spoon the chicken salad into large leaves of butter lettuce or romaine. They hod the filling well and make a refreshing handheld option.
Over a Bed of Greens: Turn your chicken salad into a full main0course salad by spooning it over mixed greens. Arugula, spring mix or spinach makes a fresh base that doesn’t need any extra dressing since the salad itself adds creaminess.
In Pita or Flatbread: Tuck a scoop inside warm pita pockets or fold it into soft flatbread. It’s easy, portable and especially great for packed lunches or picnics.
Rolled in wraps: Wraps are another excellent handheld choice. Tortillas- flour, whole-grain or grain-free-roll up nicely around chicken salad, especially with a few crisp lettuce leaves tucked inside for texture.
Soup & Salad Duo: For a comforting and balanced meal, serve chicken salad alongside a warm bowl of soup. A bright tomato-based soup, a light veggie broth, or a creamy favorite makes a cozy pairing.
On fruit or Veggie Platters: A scoop of chicken salad looks beautiful served with fresh fruit like melon, apple slices or berries. It’s a great option for brunch or a light summer lunch.
Enjoy it Straight from the Bowl: Sometimes the simplest way is the most satisfying- just grab a spoon and dig in. Chicken salad makes an easy, quick bite when you want something filling without assembling anything.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips:
Make-Ahead: This recipe is ideal for preparing in advance because it holds its texture and flavour for several days. If you plan to [pair it with greens, bread or crackers, keep those items stored on their own to maintain crispiness. Prepping a batch early in the week makes lunches effortless and keeps your routine smooth. Just tuck the salad into a sealed container to preserve its freshness.
To Refrigerate: Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and keep them chilled. It generally stays good for about 3-4 days, depending on how recently the chicken was cooked. Proper storage helps maintain both taste and quality.
Freezing: Freezing isn’t great option for this dish. The creamy mixture tends to lose its consistency once thawed, which affects the overall experience. For best results, enjoy it fresh from the fridge.
Ingredients
For Salad Dressing:
1/4 cup Mayonnaise
1/4 cup Sour Cream
1 tsp Dijon Mustard
Salt to taste
1 tsp Black pepper powder
1 1/2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
For Chicken Salad:
1 no. Chicken Breast
Salt to taste
1 tsp Black pepper powder
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1/2 cup Red Onion, sliced
1 no. Apple, diced
1/2 cup Lettuce, chopped
1/2 cup Red Grape
2 tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped
1/4 cup Toasted Almond, slivered
1 tbsp Honey
Preparation
For Salad Dressing:
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk the mayo, sour cream, dijon mustard, salt to taste, black pepper powder and apple Cider Vinegar.
For Chicken Salad:
- Step 2: Preheat the oven @220°C. Rub the chicken with olive oil and sprinkle all over with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper powder. Roast for 25-30 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reads between 160ºF and 165ºF. Set aside to cool.
- Step 3: When the chicken is cool dice the chicken into small pieces.
- Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped chicken, sliced onions, diced apple, chopped lettuce, quartered red grapes, chopped fresh parsley, toasted slivered almonds and salad dressing, mix well. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt, sugar and apple cider vinegar.
- Step 5: Enjoy right away or store in airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days.
About Me
DEBJANI MONDAL
Welcome to Kitchenstagram, the home of delicious recipes, culinary inspiration and cooking adventures. I’m Debjani and I’m thrilled to be your guide through the wonderful world of food. I’m a self-taught professional baker, home chef, recipe developer, author of Kitchenstagram and an aspiring YouTuber.
My passion for food and cooking began at a very young age, when I would watch my mom and dad cook for me and my brother. My dad, in particular is a great cook whose culinary skills made a lasting impression on me. My dad would cook up a storm on special occasions by cooking variety of dishes, from delicious biriyani to samosa, fish fry, rasgullas and kachoris (sweet & spicy deep fried pastry with filling of lentils, meat or fish…>>>>>
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