If you’re searching for a light, flavorful, and wholesome salad that’s also super easy to whip up, then you’re going to want to bookmark this Healthy Chicken Salad with Grapes and Almonds Recipe. It’s perfectly balanced with juicy chicken, sweet grapes, and crunchy almonds, all tied together with a zesty yogurt dressing. I absolutely love how this turns out—so fresh and satisfying without feeling heavy. Stick around, and I’ll share my best tips to make this salad shine in your kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bright and Refreshing: The combination of grapes and lemon juice keeps the salad light and summery.
- Healthy and Protein-Packed: Greek yogurt and chicken create a nutritious, filling meal without heavy mayo.
- Crunch and Sweetness: Almonds add that perfect crunch while grapes bring natural sweetness.
- Versatile and Easy: Ready in just 10 minutes and keeps well for days, making it ideal for lunches or snacks.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Healthy Chicken Salad with Grapes and Almonds Recipe lies in simple, fresh ingredients you can easily find at any grocery store. Each element brings a unique flavor or texture, giving you that perfect bite every time.
- Cooked Chicken: I prefer using rotisserie chicken or leftovers to save time and add more flavor.
- Celery: Adds a crisp, refreshing crunch—make sure it’s fresh and bright green.
- Red Grapes: Sweet and juicy, halving them releases just the right burst of flavor.
- Almonds: Thinly sliced almonds provide a nice nutty crunch; toast them lightly for extra depth.
- Green Onions: They add a mild oniony kick without overpowering the dish.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley brightens everything up and offers an herby contrast.
- Plain Greek Yogurt: I love using this instead of mayo for a healthier, tangier dressing.
- Dijon Mustard: Gives a subtle sharpness that balances the sweetness of the grapes.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: This zingy addition keeps the salad vibrant and fresh-tasting.
- Celery Seed: Just a pinch enhances that classic chicken salad flavor you didn’t know you needed.
- Salt and Cracked Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing all the flavors together.
Variations
I’m a big fan of tweaking this Healthy Chicken Salad with Grapes and Almonds Recipe to keep things fresh or suit different dietary needs. Feel free to get creative—it’s super forgiving and versatile!
- Add Crunchy Veggies: Sometimes, I toss in sliced radishes or cucumber for an extra veggie boost and texture.
- Make it Dairy-Free: Swap Greek yogurt for a creamy avocado or a dairy-free yogurt alternative—I tried this and loved the creaminess without losing tang.
- Spice it Up: If you like a little heat, sprinkle in some cayenne pepper or finely diced jalapeño; it gives the salad a fun twist.
- Herbs Variation: Experiment with fresh dill or tarragon in place of parsley to change the flavor profile.
How to Make Healthy Chicken Salad with Grapes and Almonds Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Combine the Ingredients
Start by chopping or shredding your cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Then, dice the celery, halve the grapes, slice the green onions, and finely chop the parsley. In a large mixing bowl, toss all these together with the sliced almonds. I love how quickly this comes together—sometimes I prep everything while my coffee brews in the morning!
Step 2: Whisk the Dressing
In a smaller bowl, whisk together the plain Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, celery seed, salt, and cracked black pepper. This dressing is what really makes this salad different from your typical chicken salad—light, creamy, and tangy without the heaviness of mayo. Make sure to whisk thoroughly to blend all the flavors evenly.
Step 3: Combine and Chill
Pour the yogurt dressing over the chicken mixture and gently fold everything together until well coated. Be gentle so you don’t mash the grapes or break up the chicken too much. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes—this resting time lets all the flavors meld beautifully. Trust me, it tastes even better the next day!
Pro Tips for Making Healthy Chicken Salad with Grapes and Almonds Recipe
- Use Day-Old Chicken: I learned that using leftover chicken or a rotisserie bird adds deeper flavor without extra effort.
- Toast Your Almonds: Giving the almonds a light toast in a dry pan enhances their nuttiness and crunch.
- Adjust Lemon Juice to Taste: Sometimes I add a tad more lemon juice for extra brightness—taste as you go!
- Don’t Overmix: Stir gently to keep the grapes intact and preserve all those lovely textures.
How to Serve Healthy Chicken Salad with Grapes and Almonds Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle a few extra sliced almonds and a bit of fresh parsley on top right before serving—it adds a pretty, fresh touch and a little crunch that makes every forkful exciting.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs beautifully with simple sides like whole grain crackers, fresh fruit, or a crisp green salad. My family especially enjoys it stuffed inside a whole wheat wrap with some leafy greens for a quick lunch.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, I love serving this chicken salad in hollowed-out avocado halves or atop a large bed of butter lettuce leaves as individual lettuce cups—they’re colorful, elegant, and perfect for easy entertaining.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After making your Healthy Chicken Salad with Grapes and Almonds Recipe, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I find it keeps wonderfully fresh for up to 3-4 days, making it a reliable option for meal prep or quick snacks throughout the week.
Freezing
This salad doesn’t freeze well because of the yogurt dressing and fresh grapes—they tend to get watery and lose their texture once thawed. I recommend enjoying fresh or refrigerated leftovers only.
Reheating
This salad is best served cold or at room temperature, so no reheating needed. If you prefer a warmer meal, try pairing it with warm bread or a toasted pita on the side.
FAQs
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Can I use mayo instead of Greek yogurt for this chicken salad?
Absolutely! Mayo will give you a creamier and richer salad, but if you want to keep it lighter and healthier, Greek yogurt is a fantastic alternative that still delivers creaminess with less fat.
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What type of grapes works best in this recipe?
I usually go for red seedless grapes because they’re sweet and easy to halve. However, green grapes work great too if you want a tarter bite. Just make sure to slice them smaller so they blend nicely.
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Can I prepare this salad in advance?
Yes! In fact, prepping it a few hours or even a day in advance really improves the flavor as the dressing seeps into the ingredients. Just give it a gentle stir before serving.
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How can I make this recipe vegan?
Swap out the chicken for chickpeas or shredded jackfruit, and use a dairy-free yogurt alternative for the dressing. These changes keep the salad just as tasty and nutritious without animal products.
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Is celery seed necessary?
Celery seed adds a subtle, classic chicken salad flavor that complements the celery itself. If you don’t have it on hand, you can omit it, but I recommend trying it at least once for the authentic touch.
Final Thoughts
This Healthy Chicken Salad with Grapes and Almonds Recipe has become one of my go-to meals whenever I crave something delicious yet nourishing and light. It’s quick to make, delightfully flavorful, and feels like such a treat without any guilt. I really hope you give it a try and find it as satisfying as my family and I do—whether you enjoy it for lunch, a snack, or a picnic. Trust me, you’ll keep coming back to this one!
Print
Healthy Chicken Salad with Grapes and Almonds Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A light and refreshing Healthy Chicken Salad that combines tender cooked chicken with crunchy celery, sweet red grapes, and sliced almonds, all tossed in a creamy Greek yogurt and Dijon mustard dressing. Perfect for a quick lunch or a healthy snack, this salad is easy to prepare and can be served on its own, with crackers, bread, or wrapped in lettuce.
Ingredients
Salad
- 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 cup red grapes, halved
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced almonds
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 2 Tbsp parsley, finely chopped
Dressing
- 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp celery seed
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the chopped or shredded chicken, diced celery, halved red grapes, sliced almonds, green onions, and finely chopped parsley until evenly distributed.
- Prepare Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the plain Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, celery seed, salt, and cracked black pepper until the dressing is smooth and well blended.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Drizzle the dressing over the chicken mixture. Gently mix until all ingredients are thoroughly coated and combined to create a creamy and flavorful salad.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate until ready to serve, allowing the flavors to meld. Serve chilled with crackers, on slices of bread or in a wrap, or on a bed of lettuce as a refreshing salad.
Notes
- This chicken salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- For added crunch, consider sprinkling extra sliced almonds on top before serving.
- You can substitute grapes with diced apples or dried cranberries for a different flavor profile.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste depending on dietary preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 cup)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
