Fancy Chicken Salad
By the QuiteRecipes team (Jamy & Kaïna) | Food Service Professional, Early Childhood Expert & Parents
A refined chicken salad combining the sweetness of grapes, the crunch of pecans and the freshness of dill, bound by a creamy dressing.
We all know the deli version, and this is the fancy upgrade you will actually want at the table. Crunchy celery and juicy grapes meet a creamy dressing over tender chicken, and it goes from bowl to picnic basket without breaking a sweat. Leftovers taste even better the next day, if you can save any.
🥄 Ingredients
- 🫗 1 lb (approx. 450g) cooked chicken breast (4 cups diced)
- 🫗 2 cups red seedless grapes, halved
- 🫗 1 cup (2-3 stalks) celery, halved lengthwise then sliced
- 🫗 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped (1/2 of a small onion)
- 🫗 1 cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped
- 🫗 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 🫗 1/2 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
- 🫗 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 🫗 2 tbsp dill, finely chopped
- 🫗 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 🫗 1/2 tsp black pepper
Nutrition Facts*
*Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients, brands and portion sizes. Values are provided per serving.
👨🍳 Instructions
**Prepare the base:** In a large bowl, combine the diced chicken, grapes, celery, red onion and toasted pecans.
**Make the dressing:** In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream (or yogurt), lemon juice, dill, salt and pepper until smooth.
**Assemble:** Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and stir gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
**Serve:** Serve immediately or refrigerate to let the flavors meld.
🎥 Video Tutorial
Fancy Chicken Salad
Video credit: embedded from YouTube. All rights belong to the original creator, who allows sharing on other websites.
💡 Chef Tips
For optimal texture, make sure the pecans are well toasted, which will enhance their flavor in the salad.
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About the Authors
This recipe and guide was developed, tested, and approved in our home kitchen and daily life. Jamy is a retired Food Service District Manager and Early Childhood Program Manager who spent his career overseeing multi-site restaurant operations, large-scale culinary production, and daycare menu management. Kaïna brings the ultimate real-world test: making sure it brings ease and joy to our kids on a busy weeknight.
Read more about our professional background and philosophy →