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Chicken Salad with Grapes and Walnuts served on a plate

Chicken Salad with Grapes and Walnuts

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Chicken Salad with Grapes and Walnuts features tender poached chicken breast mixed with crisp celery, sweet grapes, and crunchy walnuts in a creamy mayo-lemon dressing. Chilling the ingredients before mixing ensures a fresh, crisp texture that makes this salad perfect for weeknight lunches or meal prep.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs chicken breast cooked, poached or roasted
  • 2 stalks celery diced ¼-inch
  • 1.5 cups grapes red or green, halved, chilled
  • 0.75 cup walnuts coarsely chopped
  • 0.75 cup mayonnaise
  • 0.25 cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice fresh, add gradually
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl For combining ingredients
  • Meat thermometer To check chicken internal temperature
  • Knife For chopping ingredients

Method
 

  1. Bring a pot of water to 180°F (just below simmer), add chicken breast, and poach for 15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove and rest the chicken for 5 minutes before chopping into bite-sized pieces.
    2 lbs chicken breast
  2. Halve the grapes, dice celery into ¼-inch pieces, coarsely chop the walnuts, and refrigerate all while the chicken cools.
    2 stalks celery, 1.5 cups grapes, 0.75 cup walnuts
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
    0.75 cup mayonnaise, 0.25 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 0.5 tsp salt, 0.25 tsp black pepper
  4. Add chopped chicken, grapes, celery, and walnuts to the dressing. Fold gently until everything is evenly coated. Taste and add remaining lemon juice, salt, or pepper as needed.
    2 lbs chicken breast, 2 stalks celery, 1.5 cups grapes, 0.75 cup walnuts, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 0.5 tsp salt, 0.25 tsp black pepper
  5. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to blend and the salad to firm up.

Notes

  • Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking chicken and keep it tender.
  • Chill grapes and celery before mixing to maintain crispness and prevent watery dressing.
  • Toast walnuts for 3-5 minutes at 350°F to deepen flavor and enhance crunch.

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