Are you looking for the best chicken salad you can ever imagine? You’re only minutes away from that one outstanding recipe that you’ll cherish for years!
Maybe you can relate to the following situation that I found myself in. A situation that confirms why I enjoy this Chicken Salad with Dried Cranberries and Grapes recipe. Here goes:
The other day, I picked up a pretty good chicken salad croissant sandwich for lunch from a local gourmet grocery store. You know — the kind of food store that has the most beautiful readily-prepared foods displayed inside glass food cases. Food so gorgeous that they could easily be in a glossy, high-end food magazine or blog!
Well, the sandwich wasn’t too bad, really. It certainly satisfied my tummy. Yet to me it lacked some major taste factors that make a chicken salad go fro ‘ok’ to ‘GREAT’! So read on and learn how to make a “WOW” chicken salad!
I like to serve chicken salad stuffed in a fresh, bright red, and large tomatoe nestled on a bed of curly leafy green lettuce. Don’t forget to sprinkle on the paprika!
.Chicken Salad is great in ANY SEASON!
Some of you may be wondering why I’m making chicken salad sandwich/salad at this time of year? Simply because I love chicken salad.
And it doesn’t matter what time of year it is to enjoy this traditionally loved salad. However, in the spirit of autumn or the holiday season, I add dried cranberries and red onion instead of yellow or scallions.
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Tips For Making a Great Chicken Salad:
- Use freshly cooked or leftover cooked chicken. I prefer to use a rotiserrie chicken or a chicken that I roast myself at home. Roasted chicken is so much more juicy and full of flavor!
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the choicest pieces to use. Use one breast for every 2 people.
- Once cooked, allow the chicken to cool. Then cut the chicken into ½” chunks or you can even tear the meat if you prefer. Place in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the crunchiest veggies! Celery is always used in chicken salad, but you can also add crunch from carrots and cucumbers.
- Add finely chopped onions. Red onions work well in chicken salads served in autumn and winter. Don’t add too much onion, it packs a big punch and goes a long way for that tart flavor.
- Add some sweet fruit! My favorite ingredients in a great chicken salad are grapes, dried cranberries, apples and even raisins!
- Extra crunch makes a more exciting salad! So add chopped nuts such as slivered almonds, pecans, walnuts or even cashews! Add some crumbled bacon too! How about some water chestnuts? Mmmmm!
- Go for the green by adding some freshly cut herbs, whether mixed in the salad itself or as garnish.
- A creamy dressing is a must. Use mayo, sour cream, whipped cream, Greek yogurt, or a combination of these to act as the glue to hold the chicken salad together.
- Use freshly-made mayonnaise if you have the time. The fresher the better in any ingredient is always the way to achieve the best results.
- Season nicely with herbs and spices. Adding a tiny bit of curry to the creamy dressing gives a nice kick to the salad — but just a little bit of cury! I use fresh dill and Italian parsley to take chicken salad over the top in flavor. Those and GARLIC too! Paprika is also a colorful last-minute garnish.
- Chill for several hours or overnight for all of the flavors to marry.
- Serve on beds of vivid green lettuce in assorted varieties or serve in a carved out tomato. And for the classic sammie, serve in fresh croissants. Just be creative!
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I just want to give a BIG shout-out thank you to Larry from “Big Dude’s Eclectic Ramblings” for his culinary approval of this recipe. Larry substituted dried blueberries instead of dried cranberries. Do stop by his blog that will inspire you and leave you very hungry (especially for breakfast)!
Here are a few of Larry’s delicious results of this wonderful recipe!
You’ll need some good kitchen gadgets to help you in the kitchen. I use and recommend any of the following:
Pin this!
Here are a few photos taken for the original 2011 post. Pretty blurry with a little point and shoot camera!
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Please kindly share the love and pin this!
We so appreciate it!
A few more recipes you’ll love!
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse Chopped House Salad
Yield: 6 cups
The BEST Chicken Salad with Dried Cranberries and Grapes
Ingredients
- 2-1/2 cups diced cooked chicken
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- dried cranberries
dried cranberries
- 1 cup thinly sliced celery
- 1 cup halved green grapes (red would be even prettier for the season)
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1 cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip salad dressing
- 1/2 cup heavy whipped cream (whipped until soft peaks form)
- 1 tablespoon freshly diced Italian parsley
- (use any or all of the following seasonings to your taste preference)
- 1 tsp. chopped fresh tarragon or dill
- 1/8 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp. onion powder
- 1/8 tsp. poultry seasoning
- 1/8 tsp. curry powder (if desired, optional)
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. pepper
- paprika
- Italian parsley
- large tomatoes
- lettuce varieties of choice
Instructions
- Combine the first dry ingredients in one large bowl.
- In another medium-sized bowl, blend the mayonnaise, whipped cream, and spices.
- Add the mayonnaise mixture to the chicken and other ingredients.
- Mix well.
- Adjust seasonings as desired.
- Cut out large tomatoes.
- Lay tomatoes on a bed of lettuce, or inside a half head of iceberg lettuce.
- Place the chicken salad inside the tomatoes and around the lettuce.
- Sprinkle with paprika.
- Garnish with sprigs of Italian parsley.
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.This post was originally posted in October, 2011 and updated in December, 2019.
We hope that you enjoy this Chicken Salad with Dried Cranberries and Grapes
If you try this recipe and take a photo as Larry did above, I promise to share it with everyone here on the blog!
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I love chicken salad no matter what time of the year too. Like you I find that store-bought chicken salad, even if it is gourmet & gorgeous, is always lacking a little “je ne sais quoi.” Homemade is always better.
Sam
Hi Sam – Lots of eye appeal, but no taste, does not a good sandwich/salad make! Hope you’re doing well! Thanks for stopping by!
Roz, this looks fabulous! I adore chicken salad, too, but it seems I wait for company to make it. I think I need to treat myself 🙂
roz—this looks so delicious…i love the sweet/savory combination…perfect for fall.
Whipped cream??? Hmmmmmmm. Never thought of that. I usually use a bit of sour cream with my mayo. And grapes? A must!
We adore chicken salad in this home. I swear if I make it – the kids come home and raid the fridge. I love how you spiced this – there are a lot of nuances at play and this is no deli chicken salad. This celebrates!
I love chicken salad and I love chicken salad with fruit and nuts in it – I’ve often used it as dessert for a salad bar meal. Your rendition sounds super good and I look forward to trying it.
I make chicken salad for sandwiches at least once a week — all year! What a lovely version. Mr. Rosemary would have me leave out the grapes on his. Too bad for him!
I love that we can get ideas from the restaurants we eat in and improve!!!!
Hey!
Thanks for the add on Foodbuzz.com!!
I’m so glad you added me because your description mentioned a lot about basil pesto, pasta, tomatoes and garlic so I’m like.. yum! I love all that stuff I wonder what her blog is like?! So sure enough, when I went to your blog I fell in love! So much deliciousness!
See ya later!
-Jessica
http://www.jessicakutok.blogspot.com!
Whipping cream and grapes are a sweet idea Roz. Bet this was a fabulous flavor with that fresh juicy tomato!!
Mmm! 🙂
I used to put white raisins in my chicken salad, but I love the cranberry idea even better.
This is so interesting, and your photos are gorgeous! Hugs to you, sweetie; I am glad you are blogging and i hope you have an amazing and wonderful week filled with blessings! I will be back here some day soon for more dinner inspiration; I have been burned out on cooking awhile and my sweet hubby’s been doing a lot of it. It’s time for me to find more joy in the kitchen myself and he happens to adore chicken salads and since it is a variation on something I know well, this is a perfect easy thing to get that fun started! I was also eyeing your midwest sandwich, something completely new and different, which I know he will also adore, so I’ll be back for that soon 😉 Thanks for sharing inspiration and bless you.
Roz, This is beautiful and sounds so good! I am a chicken salad lover too. I like to add some cream cheese to mine!
Hi Roz,
I just love your Chicken Salad with the dried Cranberries and the addition of the curry. Thanks for sharing and have a great day!
Miz Helen
Oh that chicken salad looks amazing- so light and delicious and i love the cranberries in it instead of using grapes only. Divine- Now i wish I had a huge slice of bread to pile it on top of!
Hey- not sure if you saw it or not but I have a fun little cooking giveaway of paula deen bowls and kitchen shears on my blog- it was posted monday so stop by and enter if you can-
Thank you for sharing such a delicious recipe!
A mouthwatering salad! It must taste really good.
Cheers,
Rosa
What a beautiful chicken salad! I love the seasonal update, too.
Roz – I’ll post about it later, but Bev just whipped up a batch of this using some chicken I smoked yesterday and it’s delicious.
Hi Roz! You always seem to amaze me everytime … your recipes and photos are fabulous! Love the chicken salad sandwich. 🙂
This looks delicious! Love the addition of cranberries!
Ciao Roz, I wanted to tell you I am giving you the Versatile Blogger Award. I just love your blog and please stop by this link to check it out. Thank you!!!!
Link:
http://artbyasm.blogspot.com/2011/10/my-versatile-blogger-award-passing.html
Blessings,
Annamaria
It’s good anytime of year. Enjoy the weekend.
Hi U.S. Roz. Beautiful recipe and BEAUTIFUL photos. Hope you are doing well. Canadian Roz
that is beautiful roz, and tasty as well i’m sure! anne
Roz, I love fresh chicken salad, I always add chopped scallions to mine. I love this twist . But the pecans and cranberries, wow, super yum! xo
Roz, I just love this recipe with the addition of the cranberries! Glad to see you back blogging again. Love your work!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE chicken salad! And this looks delicious! I too use red onions in it instead of brown… I love the combo! And what an amazing presentation! 🙂
Hi Roz. Thanks for dropping by my blog and for your comment. Your blog is simply beautiful and so mouthwatering!
Wow, definitely have to try this one.
I must say chicken and grape is an interesting combo but your gorgeous photos make it all the more tempting.
Thanks a lot.
Roz, I have an award for you. 🙂
Keep up your great work on this blog.
You are all absolutely the best people that i’ve met! Thank you for all of your kind comments on my very simple, very humble, very ordinary cooking and blog.
Blessings, Roz
Hi Roz, First I want to say how happy I am that you have returned to your beautiful blog. I have just finished catching up with all your posts that I missed while traveling in Europe and enjoyed them all. A good chicken salad sandwich is one of my favorites and yours sounds delicious.
How in the word did I miss this one~ I love stuffed tomato this one with the chicken sounds awesome… nice job~
Roz – I’m in no way a seasonal eater whatsoever, and as far as I’m concerned, anytime is a good time for some chicken salad. I love that you added the dried cranberries. To me, chicken salad always benefits from some type of fruit and/or nut.
Enjoy the Halloween weekend!
This looks like an awesome chicken salad…I especially like the cranberries and curry added! Wow, I am going to try this soon. Thanks for a great recipe!
Looks superb and I am sure tastes delicious too!
What a beautiful, vibrant salad for fall! Chicken salad is perfectly acceptable all year round. 😀
What a delicious and moreish autumn salad!
Hi Roz, I think your chicken salad looks fabulous. The pecans, cranberries and grapes make it festive perfect anytime of year. I enjoy making chicken salad on the weekends to enjoy for my work lunch during the week.
Velva
We love a good chicken salad and adding grapes is just perfect. I’ve never used heavy cream or poultry seasoning before and they sounds like really great additions. Beautiful salad Roz!
MJ,
The whipped cream makes the dressing a bit lighter and no so heavy with mayonnaise only. And the poultry season just gives a bit more added chicken flavor to it. Yum!
Ciao,
Roz
Chicken salad makes such a nice entree when having a group of friends over for lunch. Your version sounds great.
I love chicken salad for luncheons and brunches too Karen!
Ciao,
Roz
Looks delicious Roz !!
Grazie mille, Gloria! Buon Natale!
Ciao,
Roz