Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Best Chicken Salad is a creamy and easy recipe, which is made with sweet grapes and crunchy almonds. It’s the perfect lunch recipe, ready in about 1 hour and 15 minutes, plus chilling time.
Pioneer Woman Best Chicken Salad Ingredients
- 1 whole, cut up fryer chicken
- 2 to 3 stalks celery, chopped
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 2 to 3 cups grapes, halved
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 to 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- Small handful fresh dill, minced
- Cayenne pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
How To Make Pioneer Woman Best Chicken Salad
- Cook and shred the chicken: Place the chicken pieces in a large pot of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the chicken is fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the pot, and when it’s cool enough to handle, pull all the meat off the bones and chop it into bite-sized chunks.
- Combine the salad ingredients: In a large bowl, add the chopped chicken, celery, green onions, and halved grapes.
- Mix the dressing: In a separate, smaller bowl, combine the mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, and brown sugar. Season with salt, pepper, minced dill, and a dash of cayenne pepper, if using. Whisk until everything is well combined.
- Combine, chill, and serve: Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and stir gently until everything is thoroughly coated. Stir in the slivered almonds. For the best flavor, allow the salad to chill in the refrigerator for several hours or even overnight before serving.
Recipe Tips
- How to cook the chicken faster? For a super quick shortcut, you can use the meat from a store-bought rotisserie chicken instead of cooking a whole chicken. You will need about 4 cups of shredded chicken.
- Can I use a different kind of nut? Yes, this salad is also delicious with chopped toasted pecans or walnuts instead of the slivered almonds.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely. This chicken salad is actually better when made ahead, as it gives the flavors time to meld together in the refrigerator.
- How can I make this healthier? For a lighter version, you can substitute the mayonnaise with an equal amount of additional plain Greek yogurt.
What To Serve With Chicken Salad
This versatile chicken salad is perfect for a light lunch or a simple dinner.
- Served on a bed of fresh lettuce or mixed greens
- In a sandwich on a croissant, whole wheat bread, or in a wrap
- With a variety of crackers for scooping
- Stuffed into a hollowed-out tomato or avocado
How To Store Chicken Salad
- Refrigerate: Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Chicken Salad Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Fat: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Protein: 35g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Do I have to use grapes?
No. If you’re not a fan of fruit in your chicken salad, you can omit the grapes. For a different kind of sweet crunch, you could add a diced apple instead.
Why let it chill for several hours?
Chilling the chicken salad for at least a few hours is a crucial step that allows all the individual flavors from the dressing, herbs, and other ingredients to meld together and be absorbed by the chicken, resulting in a much more flavorful final dish.
Can I use a different kind of onion?
Yes. If you don’t have green onions, you can substitute them with about ¼ cup of finely diced red onion for a slightly sharper flavor.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Taco Chicken Salad Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
Pioneer Woman Best Chicken Salad Recipe
Description
A classic, creamy chicken salad packed with sweet grapes, crunchy celery, and toasted almonds in a tangy yogurt and mayonnaise dressing.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped cooked chicken, celery, green onions, and grapes.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, brown sugar, dill, salt, pepper, and cayenne.
- Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and stir to combine.
- Gently stir in the slivered almonds.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
- u003cliu003eUsing a rotisserie chicken is a great time-saving shortcut for this recipe.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eDon’t skip the chilling time; it’s essential for the best flavor.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor an extra savory kick, the recipe suggests adding a sprinkling of bacon bits.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThis is the perfect recipe for a potluck, a picnic, or a simple and satisfying lunch.u003c/liu003e
