This classic Chicken Salad is fresh, creamy, and packed with crunchy celery, sweet grapes, and tender chicken. It comes together in just 10 minutes, making it perfect for quick lunches, sandwiches, wraps, or light dinners. It’s a great make-ahead dish for picnics, meal prep, or busy weeknights.
3 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
1 cup red grapes, halved
½ small red onion, finely diced
2 celery stalks, diced
½ cup mayonnaise (light or regular)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Combine the base:
In a large bowl, mix chicken, grapes, red onion, and celery.
Make the dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Mix:
Pour dressing over the chicken mixture and stir until evenly coated.
Serve or chill:
Serve immediately or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for best flavor.
Finely dice onion and celery for better texture in every bite.
Rotisserie chicken saves time and adds flavor.
Chill before serving to let flavors blend.
Add crunch with chopped nuts (pecans or almonds).
Swap grapes for apples or dried cranberries for variation.
Store in an airtight container for 3–5 days. Discard if left out longer than 2 hours.