The Chicken Salad Recipe I ate every day for two summers

You will absolutely love this chicken salad recipe that is loaded up with celery, grapes, and almonds that comes together in no time.
Chicken salad is a bound salad consisting of cooked chicken, mayonnaise, vegetables, and herbs. It is said to be created by a meat market in the mid 19th century in Rhode Island and immediately became a hit.
There are many variations for making chicken salad and one of the best things about it, is that it can be customized to your liking. Please use my recipe as a guide and swap out or add to any ingredients you’d like.
Ingredients for this recipe:
• 2 pounds cooked and cooled chicken, medium diced
• 1 peeled and small diced red onion
• 1 finely minced garlic clove
• 4 small diced celery stalks
• ½ cup sliced almonds
• 1 ½ cup red grapes, sliced in half
• 2 tablespoons finely minced fresh dill
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• salt and pepper to taste
Serves 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0
Procedures:
1. Prepare the chicken in your desired way. See notes on options.
2. Next, add all of the ingredients to a large bowl.
3. Using a spatula, or clean hands, mix together everything until it is completely combined.
4. Serve or cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Chef Notes:
Make-Ahead: You can make this up to 1 day ahead of time.
How to Store: Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
If you do not want to grill the chicken as I did in this recipe, please feel free to use chilled roast chicken, pan-seared chicken breasts, or one of those rotisserie chickens from your favorite grocery store.
It is best to add grapes into the recipe when you are ready to serve it. Keep them aside if you plan to store the chicken salad for longer than 1 day.
In addition to salt and pepper, chicken salad is good when seasoned with Lawry’s or Old Bay seasoning.
Feel free to substitute the fresh dill for fresh tarragon or use both.

[@dignit1620]

Croissant makes al the difference to a chicken salad. I’m going to try this recipe, looks so good!

[@JuanitaCarrion-l8l]

I love mine with apples and grapes plus pecans love it

[@annettefournier9655]

I love red grapes in my chicken salad. I use a sprinkle of curry when I only make it for myself. With the dill it's delicious.

[@marybennett5564]

This chicken salad looks so darn DELICIOUS!!!! I'm definitely making it soon....

[@reneemoreno8030]

I made a rendition of this salad over 40 years ago. Grapes, celery, red onion mayo and cream cheese. Dill and chopped cashews. Use whatever nut you like. Served on a croisant. Luncheon for a group of nuns they loved it.

[@Rose80388]

Was it called Waldorf? Lol!

[@debradavies7608]

I’ve been putting grapes in my chicken salad for years now. The combo is FANTASTIC!

[@dianelombard899]

I’m going to use this recipe, it looks delish! Here’s a tip: don’t cut you bread in half, cut it just enough to open it like a pocket and stuff the bun! It’s easier to eat it!😚

[@buddys_dad]

I have been making chicken salad with grapes for years as well. Works well with curried chicken salad too.

[@slapstickdome9797]

Arby’s chicken salad sandwich, do not know if they still sell it, but was so good and they had grapes in it. Never had it before then. It was perfection!!!

[@sandisan4799]

@@dianelombard899 good advice...Ty

[@meghoughton562]

Are you kidding?!? The garlic press is the *BEST* uni-tasker ever made!

[@impunitythebagpuss]

Old Bay for sure! Love grapes in chicken salad...green grapes in tuna salad is yummy too!

[@catdi5714]

Spanish olives go great with chicken salad. Lay them on top of the chicken in the sandwich.

[@ocelotcat]

Try doing this with a wee bit of curry in the salad......it's really delicious. Great recipe here, thank you.

[@nikapak9747]

Sounds great!! Use curry powder?

[@lindahandley5267]

I absolutely love curry in it...like you said, just a wee bit, but it just goes with chicken. So delicious!

[@christinalw19]

I add curry, 1 tsp, and 1 Tbsp soy sauce to the mayonnaise/sour cream dressing. 😉👍🏼 Sometimes pineapple , too!

[@julieklie2344]

Arbys chix salad sandwich is the best I’ve ever had…EVER!!

[@courtneyroeckel3111]

I've made a similar one for years after having it at a gathering. It's phenomenal on a Hawaiian roll!

[@mauraronda1265]

I add chopped apples! Love this recipe. Thank you!

[@jesusmysaviourpraisejesus6311]

I used apples too and pecans. I like the grapes too. Arby's makes a good chicken salad too which has grapes & pecans 👍

[@yaninahahn7148]

With pecans instead of almond taste even better! I had a sandwich with a salad very similar @ Mimi's Cafe.

[@Livetoeat171]

This is my go to salad but I also add diced apple. It goes so well with the grapes and it gives it moisture. Also, instead of almonds, they seem to be too hard for me to chew so I opted for walnuts and it's a perfect crunch without being too hard.

[@autumnfeldpausch5539]

Exactly how I make it. 👍

[@mjrussell414]

Good ideas. I wouldn’t like grapes in my chicken salad and almonds go soggy. I will use your suggestions this week.

[@cherbearTX59]

I adore cranberries in mine!!

[@kimshone2626]

And that tastes So good on a fresh sourdough roll 😋

[@hollyyotiwahhe9888]

that's pretty much a Waldorf salad

[@robininva]

Looks quite delicious. Love grapes in my chicken salad, too. I love dill as the herb. Guess who is going to make this now. Right! ME!

[@LadyBetsU]

This is not a new recipe and the grapes and nuts are no secret. I’m 74 years old and my mother and grandmother made this. It is yummy!!

[@TerriblePerfection]

I don't think he claims that it's new.

[@gardenjoy5223]

@@TerriblePerfection He sort of did pretend that the grapes were a special trick. An OLD trick, that is.

[@pauladempsey6806]

Adding the grapes ahead of time somehow messes chicken salad up and so I LOVE your suggestion to add the grapes at the last minute. Also, I like curry in it.

[@maxmcnamara8382]

I served this at a tea party I had for my daughter's birthday. Let me tell you, this sandwich is so filling they couldn't even eat the other tea sandwiches. And it was so delicious, especially since I ended up smoking the chicken because we were already doing another recipe on the grill. We smoked it with apple wood. My friend also had me toast the almond chips before adding it to the salad 😋

[@moogie1954]

I add sunflower seeds and/or pumpkin seeds to mine... I love the extra crunch!

[@lisaglynn3121]

Now I want Chicken Salad! Looks so Good!

[@mjk3935]

My mom always adds grapes as well! The fresh dill is a new addition, though - thanks for the great tips!

[@lindahandley5267]

The red grapes make all of the difference with that touch of sweet. Newk's makes a salad almost like this one. I think it's very healthy too.

[@AkSonya1010]

Funny this has been one of my favorites for years but I forgot all about it, thank you for reminding me.

[@KBTCaseyFlynn]

I’m a curry fan in my chicken salad. Yeah Coronation Chicken Salad.

[@debbieriddle9429]

I have been making chicken salad like this for years...so good. I have found that this is Amazing with Smoked Chicken. The Best I've had yet.

[@Cathiekjol]

I love this recipe with Michigan dried cherries 🍒 😋

[@tawneyb.5789]

THANK YOU SO MUCH…… I’ve always loved this sandwich but never really stopped to find out how to make it for myself , and here it was for me today! Making this tonight and I know everyone will love it. Kids can take to school and I can take to work …… gonna make a BUNCH thx again.

[@southsidediggers6905]

Ya gotta toast those almonds!! Everything else is spot!!

[@conniecharley9092]

Ordered a chicken salad sandwich and sure enough my first taste of grapes 🍇 with chicken made my sandwich taste so good.. I am.not a cook but this is the way I want my chicken sandwiches from.now on.. sweet taste and a good meal..

[@danielmargolis3210]

I love nice neat prep.

[@katfinamore3205]

Here’s what I do, swap out the red onion with green scallions or if your red onion is a little too strong, soak the slices in a bowl of water for a little bit. I add either red wine vinaigrette or white balsamic glaze to the Mayo with salt and pepper. Then I definitely add the almonds or some sort of nut for that crunch. You can also add dried cranberries. Love chicken salad!

[@mamabear3428]

Not a big fan of celery but def put grapes in mine when I make it. I prefer to use sunflower seed or pine nuts. Looks delicious 😋

[@paprika1951]

Oooooo! Chicken Veronique! Or very close to it - love those flavors and textures. Well done Sir!

[@repunzalrepunzal6063]

Delicious!!! Sometimes I use pecans and add apple too. Great recipe!

[@joeyfitzpatrick6325]

This is pretty much the same recipe I use and it is delicious! Now I’m only feeling some chicken salad 😝

[@julietteyork3721]

Lawry’s is the go-to seasoning that can’t be beat. It’s so darned good.

[@judychandler8485]

I make mine with these same ingredients, but add some diced apple as well ..It's soooo good !

[@ShalomShalom-d5c]

I used to eat at a health food store whose chicken salad was out of this world. Shredded chicken breast, almonds, raisins, celery, and a great seasoning (poss season salt) a scoop over torn romain lettuce, tomatoes, shredded carrots, cuke with creamy italian dressing. We ate it almost every day for 20 yrs. it was addicting!

[@septembertorpy6899]

I really like pecans and apple pieces to, so good

[@joanwalford1959]

As an afterthought I added the dijon mustard and noticed that you did too. I added dried cranberries, half greek yogurt and half mayo. I then added the old bay seasoning and it tasted great. Will let it sit in the fridge for a couple of hours for the flavours to blend together. Will see what it tastes like.

[@ssoozee]

I appreciate you so much. Your approach to cooking and secret techniques are invaluable to me. My best friend and I share a love of chicken salad (tasty chicken salad, that is!), and I’m going to surprise her with this delicious salad and beautiful presentation. Thank you again for all you do!

[@ur22much2]

You do both the chicken and celery perfect, apple maybe grapes?, everything else like mama made.

[@blanca5040]

Thank you so much for sharing this yummy and easy recipe!! I had been looking for easy, yummy, and good-for-you chicken salad ideas!

[@ladiuneeq9789]

Deliciousness! I used to eat it this way and also on a toasted everything bagel. It's one of the best sandwiches I ever had. 😋

[@xicanavida1559]

Yummy I use what I have like grapes or apples,berries it’s love it

[@idowanna837]

Craisins or dried cranberries work real well also, and I'll usually put them in some mayonnaise to kinda rehydrate them a couple hours before I make my chicken salad. But I do love grapes in my chicken salad, green or red, don't matter long as they're good grapes

[@patlegg3803]

I add walnuts, too they stay firm also. I'm with you about the grapes 🍇 Recently you need to take out mortgage to buy pecans... I also use canned white breast chicken so I don't get any gristle, etc. Easier also.

[@idowanna837]

@@patlegg3803 I'm not big on nuts. I usually get a rotisserie chicken (or roast one myself) and that'll give me 2 or 3 meals from that, AND SOUP! if I boil the carcass!!

[@georginatalamo2451]

I do too, boil the remaining skin and bones and bits. Incredibly flavorful broth results.

[@judysowell290]

I found this recipe over 20 years ago in an OKC bistro and have been using since it is out of the norm. I use the diced chicken along with some red onion perhaps a little celery. The odd ingredient is diced Monteray jack cheese cubes. I know it sounds weird. But it is good. Then I make a slurry with mayo, white wine vinegar and dill. Pour over the mixture and chill before serving. You do need to give the mixture time to macerate. It goes great on croissant.

[@micheledietrick265]

My mom started adding grapes and it’s delicious. She was Italian and tried different things. I started putting graphing tuna salad too.

[@joannewalters7183]

I Love celery seed in salads too. Also olived Greek and regular

[@joannewalters7183]

Olives

[@AttommicDog]

The balance of sweet and savory with this type of chicken salad is without a doubt the best. Try it with cran-raisins chef. Bet the wife will approve.

[@leahanderson30]

For years my mom has put diced celery diced red apples and red grapes and diced red onion in her chicken salad full of flavors extremely delicious and fresh

[@sandiland0000]

Nice! I like celery seed in mine with a splash of Italian dressing with that Mayo. 😋 love love chicken salad

[@jayfromtexas6718]

Just now got through making this..... 2-smoked quarters (leftover), onion, celery, fresh dill, capers and a little dill pickle. 3 big table spoons Dukes mayo, 2 small table spoon Miracle Whip and a table spoon of Dijon mustard. Chihuahua wood smoked salt, black pepper and some Cajun seasoning and a little poultry seasoning. The capers are a game changer! Will have it for lunch tomorrow. Have a big ripe garden tomatoe, romaine lettuce. Will snag the crescent rolls and be ready to eat. Hopefully the "next day's" going to make it better or have I shot myself in the foot??? Great video my friend!

[@getit9066]

I had the best chicken salad of my life in Key West and the recipe was almost identical to this; they added one really cool ingredient: toasted pine nuts. So good I still remember it years later. Thanks for the Lawrey’s idea!

[@DeeDeeDIY]

Yep! I almost always add red grapes but sometimes I add pineapple tidbits. Try ranch dressing too.

[@hasmeenc.4739]

Dry tarragon, cranberries and green apples with a few nuts(walnuts) is what I always use, well with all the other common ingredients.

[@vegasjill21]

Hasmeen C Oooh, that sounds delish!! Just the way I LIKE IT!! 😁

[@l.lockleer8836]

Your salad looks amazing! I like toasted chopped pecans, and dill pickle cubes. I have a small frozen chicken that I'll throw out and roast!

[@anniefannycharles9951]

The Dill pickle cubes would change this recipe flavor completely.

[@erminiagomez2531]

Thank you so much for this. I went to Costco to buy but they didn’t have any. I will give this a try. It’s one of my favorite sandwiches

[@marinabarela6163]

Thank you Chef Billy! I am making this as we speak but I just purchased a large bag of raw pumpkin seeds which I will be toasting and using instead of the sliced almonds that I do not have.

[@pamelaeason1982]

Simple and delicious

[@libbyholt3863]

A similar recipe my family and I love is: chicken, sliced grapes, equal parts mayo and a good plain Greek yoghurt, slivered almonds, light on the salt, heavy-ish on the black pepper. In place of the chicken, I've used stir-fried tofu squares that were first pressed somewhat dry, then marinated in soy sauce. No onion, no herbs, nothing so strong as mustard. The flavor is mild and subtly addictive. Yummy!

[@jeankroeber2481]

To Libby Holt,. I find it so interesting that you use tofu. You mean you make the chicken salad without chicken, replaced by cooked tofu squares?

[@bindujosephjacob9704]

Ev

[@libbyholt3863]

Yes! @@jeankroeber2481

[@ishouldbesleeping1354]

Grapes are my FAV, but occasionally dried sweetened Cranberries and/or tiny chopped apples are yummy too…😋

[@betht1614]

Love diced apple here and craisins or dried cranberries.

[@dalemills7926]

Love this and yours is amazing..I put CRAISINS in mine when I do not have grapes..lol its yummy too..

[@felicecaccamo68]

That's nice chicken salad! Thanks for the recipe chef!

[@betsysanders4524]

I had a chicken salad where they added pineapple to it. It was delicious!!

[@Truthhurts808]

Fantastic! I am making this first thing tomorrow! 👍

[@mercylim4166]

Thank you your generosity for sharing your receipes ! Philippines

[@ks7343]

Nice adaptation of the classic Silver Palette recipe! I love this with swapping cooking sherry for dijon, pecans, lots of fresh ground pepper.

[@ladydi4runner]

Sweet. Went right to page 148. Long time FAV, no doubt. 😁👍 Sooo, as I’m chowing down on it, had everything BUT the slivered almonds! Chopped walnuts work, trust me! 😁Gotta run, for Seconds! 🤣🤣 Superb salad! TY.

[@idowanna837]

Chopped apples are REALLY great in tuna salad!

[@williambienz8238]

Very happy I made this.

[@Red-ng6jd]

Thanks Chef! I've learned a lot from you in your videos! This is definitely dinner tomorrow!

[@fredsullivan598]

Looks yummy, thanks 👍

[@annkelley6813]

Fantastic recipe, can’t wait to try it!

[@suzannemiller287]

Resembles the chicken salad sandwich from Arby's. Loved that sandwich!

[@lindafurr2404]

I will be making this soon. I also put red grapes in my tuna salad. Or apples.

[@tammyt870]

Craisins are great in chicken salad as well :)

[@wallabumba]

As a Maryland girl, it has to be the Old Bay seasoning for me! I add the pistachios too. I don't care for raw onion, so what I do is 1/2 celery and 1/2 bell pepper for the vegetables. And no garlic either. I serve up on toasted multigrain bread with crunchy lettuce. DIVINE!

[@cocosmom0817]

I just made it, and homemade mayo and BAM-A-LICIOUS!!! thank you Chef!!!

[@Traveling-Queen]

Amazing how grapes can enhance most salads!

[@cookdolph]

My friends ! It looks so delicious. Your cooking skills are amazing. Thank you for the good food. ❤️❤️😍

[@gayatribankeshwar618]

Thanks for a yummmm recipe

[@p.w.4203]

Slice grapes between two lids is a time saving trick

[@johnutah293]

I love your channel! I'm always learning something.

[@Isaiah--vj2xu]

Made this today... Inlove. Thanks.

[@suziew5447]

Just found you tonight because of this video. I can’t sleep watching all your videos. I have my weeks meals planned for this week. Thanks so much...🙂 and I have the same garlic press... it’s the best. I will never chop garlic again either.

[@mbww8572]

I agree, small dice is much better. True for a lot of Chinese dishes as well.

[@joburke6448]

I’ve used grapes, but I also like sweet apples, and thyme.

[@evangeline3152]

I make mine just like this but I haven’t tried the dill. I just use the tarragon. In the winter I change it from grapes and almonds to apples and pecans. That’s great too.

[@lynnjasen9727]

If you’re eating it during a workday, what about a nicely seasoned soft flat bread as a sophisticated burrito type wrap? I’m a slob and the contents fall out of croissants. I have been using green grapes for years in my chicken salad, as I find the red ones have just that little bit of astringency. Sometimes I change up, to include walnuts for bitterness rather than astringency, and green onions, and consider the addition of blue cheese to the mayo my seasoning. But yours is more savoury, and works better for a big diverse group. Great recipe, and love the explanations of “why?”

[@johnwood551]

The BEST I ever had was at Fearrington Village outside of Chapel Hill North Carolina. I wish I was back on the East Coast just so I could at least visit there occasionally

[@deehermione943]

I make this but with pecans and dried dates or dried Blueberries and cranberries so good! Great, now have to make some lol

[@lucybirdsong8632]

Excellent

[@MsBebegurl0212]

That looked amazing..must try .please try mine... Chilled, cooked pasta shells (small), cubed cooked chicken, cubed tomatoes and cucumbers. Salt, pepper, Hellman's mayo, and grated parmesan added to your taste. Lovely fresh summer salad. Easy and addicting!

[@jlocey87]

Used grapes in my chick salad for over 30 years... Yuuuum

[@thephoenix2176]

Love it - yogurt, smoke sweet paprika sub / salad w/ walnuts! Yummy!

[@CallMeVie]

Great Waldorf salad variation! Vie 💚

[@michaelad48]

DELICIOUS BILLY, I LOVE TO ADD APPLE TO MY CHICKEN SALAD, WHICH IS VERY SIMILAR TO YOURS. SOOOOOOOO GOOD 😊😊😊😊😊

[@toniajackson102]

YUM! Cannot wait to make it -thanks so much.