Chicken and Grape Salad Recipe with Almonds (Paleo; Whole30-Friendly) (2024)

This creamy chicken and grape salad recipe with almonds and fresh rosemary is a flavorful way to dress up ordinary chicken salad.

You’d be surprised at how fast my hubby blows through an entire batch of homemade mayo. He’s always finding creative new ways to use it. Chicken wings, roasted potatoes, and even fried eggs are all fair game. Just about the only way he doesn’t eat mayo is on a sandwich.

I make a small batch of homemade mayo one or two times a month (my favorite recipe is in my cookbook, adapted slightly to use avocado oil). One day when I was wondering what to have for lunch, the tub of mayo caught my eye along with some leftover chicken. (Side Note: Rotisserie chicken or leftover white meat turkey also work well here.) I remembered my creamy cranberry walnut chicken salad and knew I wanted to do a variation of it.

Rosemary and red grapes give this salad a unique twist, turning up the volume on what would otherwise probably be just another chicken salad recipe. I like to keep it paleo and serve it on a bed of greens. However, it would also be great in a wrap or as a sandwich. (Paleo sandwich bread, I'm looking at you.)

I’ve been wanting to host a homemade afternoon tea party, and I think this chicken salad would make fabulous little tea sandwiches for that, or for Mother's Day brunch.

What’s your go-to recipe to make with leftover chicken?

Chicken Salad Recipe with Grapes Ingredients and Substitutions

• Cooked chopped chicken breast - This salad is a great way to use leftover chicken or turkey, or store-bought rotisserie chicken. However, it is delicious enough to warrant poaching chicken breast if you don’t have leftovers on hand. Here is how to poach chicken.
• Celery - Celery adds great crunch to chicken salad.
• Grapes - I use seedless red grapes here.
• Onion - For crunch and savory flavor.
• Mayo - Here we use mayo as the base of our creamy dressing. You can swap it out for Greek yogurt or sour cream. Or use any mix you like of mayo, Greek yogurt, and/or sour cream you like.
• Apple cider vinegar - I like to use organic raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar for the health benefits. White wine vinegar or red wine vinegar will also work well here.
• Honey - We add just a little bit of honey to this creamy salad dressing to create a balanced flavor profile.
• Rosemary - Fresh rosemary adds a piney, woodsy flavor with piquant notes of pepper and citrus. It takes an ordinary chicken salad to extraordinary!
• Dijon mustard - Dijon adds a slight sharp flavor that helps cut through the richness of mayonnaise.
• Salt and black pepper - These pantry-staple seasonings add a ton of flavor to this creamy salad.
• Fresh parsley - Fresh herbs, such as parsley, add a verdant pop of green color and fresh flavor. If parsley isn't your thing, you can substitute with another herb, such as cilantro, chives, mint, oregano, tarragon, etc., and adjust the amount up or down based on your preference.
• Toasted sliced almonds - This adds nutty crunch, which is a delicious contrast to the creamy chicken salad. However, if almonds aren't your thing, you can use whatever type of nut you like. Walnuts and pecans also work really well here.

Instructions

1. Stir together all ingredients for the salad.
2. Serve immediately or store covered in the fridge for up to 3 days before serving. (If making ahead, wait to stir in the rosemary until right before serving so it doesn't lose its potency.)
3. Sprinkle the almonds on top right before serving.

Storage

You can store this chicken and grape salad recipe covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend stirring the rosemary in right before serving, otherwise you run the risk of it losing flavor. Also, wait to sprinkle the almonds on top right before serving so they don't lose their crunch.

Tips

• Chicken - Like any chicken salad, this recipe is a great way to use leftover chicken, leftover turkey, rotisserie chicken, or poached chicken. I've also made it with grilled chicken and I really enjoyed the smoky flavor that it added.
• Grapes - I like to use seedless red grapes here (no one wants to be picking seeds out of their grapes when they're eating a salad!). However, you aren't limited to just red grapes. You can use whatever type of seedless grapes you like here.
• Mayo - You can swap out half of the mayo for sour cream or Greek yogurt to bump up the tanginess. And using Greek yogurt will also increase the protein.

Special Diet Friendly

As written, this recipe is gluten free and paleo.

To make this chicken salad Whole 30 compliant, omit the honey and Dijon, reduce the vinegar to 1 teaspoon, and add ¼ teaspoon dried mustard powder.

For the low carb and keto-friendly version of this recipe, use keto honey and reduce the grapes to ¼ cup (or just omit the honey and grapes).

Chicken and Grape Salad Recipe FAQs

Why Do People Put Grapes in Chicken Salad?

Grapes add a delicious contrasting sweet flavor and crunchy texture to creamy chicken salad.

How Do You Cut Grapes For Chicken Salad?

It's very easy to cut grapes for chicken salad! Note that it's best to wash them before cutting. Here are the steps:

1. Wash the grapes. You can rinse them under cool running water, or better yet, put the grapes in a glass bowl, cover them completely with cool water, add a splash of raw apple cider vinegar, swoosh them around a little, and let them sit for 10 minutes before rinsing and draining.
2. Dry the grapes. Pat them with a paper towel to remove as much excess moisture as possible.
3. Cut the grapes in half. Halved grapes are the perfect bite size for chicken salad.

More Easy Chicken Recipes

• 20-Minute Blackened Chicken Recipe
• Simple Chicken a la King Recipe
• Easy 10-Minute Creamy Chipotle Shredded Chicken Tacos

Let's Connect

See Also

50 Modern Thanksgiving Menu Recipes 2023Best EASY Broccoli Slaw RecipeChicken Pot Pie Recipe - Two Peas & Their PodGlazed mulled wine ham | Jamie Oliver recipes

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