Pioneer Woman Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans Recipe

This Pioneer Woman Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans Recipe is a creamy and classic recipe, which is made with sweet red grapes and toasted pecans. It’s the perfect lunch recipe, ready in about 20 minutes.

Pioneer Woman Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans Ingredients

For the Dressing:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon poppyseeds
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, more or less to taste
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Salad:

• 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
• 1/4 cup pecans, lightly toasted then coarsely chopped
• 4 cups shredded cooked chicken (leftover roasted, poached or rotisserie)
• 1 cup small red grapes, halved
• 1/2 cup diced celery, chopped small

How To Make Pioneer Woman Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans

1. Make the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, poppyseeds, salt, and pepper until smooth. Cover and refrigerate while you prepare the rest of the salad.
2. Prep the Onions and Pecans: Place the diced onion in a small bowl of ice water and let it soak for 10 minutes. This step is optional but helps to mellow the sharp bite of the raw onion. Meanwhile, place the pecans in a dry skillet over medium-low heat and toast, tossing occasionally, until fragrant. Let them cool, then coarsely chop.
3. Combine the Salad: Drain the onions well. In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, drained onions, toasted pecans, halved grapes, and diced celery. Pour the prepared dressing over the top and toss gently until everything is well coated. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Recipe Tips

• How to get the best chicken for chicken salad? A store-bought rotisserie chicken is a fantastic time-saver and adds a ton of flavor. Alternatively, you can use leftover roasted chicken or poach your own chicken breasts in seasoned water until cooked through.
• Why soak the onions? Soaking raw onions in ice water for a few minutes tames their harsh, pungent flavor, leaving you with a milder onion taste that doesn’t overpower the other ingredients.
• Can I use a different kind of nut? Yes! If you don’t have pecans, toasted walnuts or slivered almonds would be delicious substitutes and provide a similar crunchy texture.
• How can I make this chicken salad lighter? For a lighter version with less fat and calories, you can substitute half of the mayonnaise with an equal amount of plain, nonfat Greek yogurt.

How To Serve Chicken Salad

This versatile chicken salad is delicious served in many ways:

• On a flaky croissant or soft brioche bun for a classic sandwich
• With a variety of crackers for scooping
• In large lettuce cups (like butter or iceberg) for a low-carb option
• 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 3 days. The flavors will continue to meld as it sits.
• Freeze: Freezing is not recommended for this recipe, as the mayonnaise-based dressing will separate and the vegetables will become watery upon thawing.

Pioneer Woman Chicken Salad with Grapes and Pecans Nutrition Facts

• Serving: 0.75cup
• Calories: 317kcal
• Carbohydrates: 7g
• Protein: 16g
• Fat: 25g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Chicken Cordon Bleu Recipe
• Pioneer Woman White Chicken Chili Crockpot Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Taco Chicken Salad Recipe