Chicken Walnut Salad
A vibrant chicken walnut salad combining tender chicken, sweet grapes, crunchy walnuts, and a creamy honey mustard dressing, perfect for light lunches or gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place chicken onto a sheet tray and cook in the oven at 350°F until fully cooked.
- Chill the cooked chicken and set aside.
- Cook the pasta until soft, then toss with a small amount of olive oil and chill.
- Dice the yellow onion and celery, then set aside.
- Wash and pick the grapes, then set aside.
- Toast the walnuts until golden and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced chicken, diced onion, diced celery, grapes, and toasted walnuts.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, lemon juice, dried thyme, dijon mustard, and heavy cream to make the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve chilled.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter version, consider using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise. If you're short on time, rotisserie chicken can be a great substitute for cooked chicken. You can also swap walnuts for pecans or omit nuts altogether for a nut-free option. Adjust the sweetness by varying the honey to suit your taste, and adding fresh herbs like parsley can enhance the flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Chicken Walnut Salad on a bed of mixed greens for a fresh presentation. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a light soup, such as Broccoli-Rice Soup, for a complete meal. For a potluck, consider presenting it in a large bowl with a sprinkle of extra walnuts on top for visual appeal.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the salad in a pan over low heat, adding a splash of cream or olive oil to keep it moist. This dish is best served cold, so consider enjoying it as a refreshing cold salad.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Walnut Salad contains roughly 659 calories, with 12g protein, 110g carbohydrates, and 25g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (83% of the Daily Value), iron (51% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (37% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 673mg per serving (29% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I prepare the Chicken Walnut Salad in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the salad a day ahead. Just make sure to keep the dressing separate until you're ready to serve to prevent the pasta and chicken from becoming soggy. Mix everything just before serving for the best texture.
What can I use instead of heavy cream in the dressing?
If you're looking for a lighter alternative, you can replace the heavy cream with a combination of Greek yogurt and a little milk. This will still give you a creamy texture with fewer calories.
Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! This Chicken Walnut Salad holds up well in the fridge and can be portioned into meal prep containers. Just ensure to keep the dressing separate until serving to maintain freshness and texture.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).