Linda'S Chicken Salad
Linda's Chicken Salad combines tender chicken, crisp celery, sweet grapes, and a tangy dressing for a refreshing, versatile dish perfect for light lunches or gatherings.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped celery ⓘ
- 6 small bunches green seedless grapes ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon cider vinegar ⓘ
- 1 cup cubed unpared red apple ⓘ
- lemon juice ⓘ
- 3 cups cooked cubed chicken
- 2 apples, cut in wedges ⓘ
- 2 apples, cut in wedges ⓘ
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, salt, pepper, dry mustard, sugar, and cider vinegar.
- In a large bowl, sprinkle lemon juice over apple cubes and toss to prevent browning.
- Add cooked cubed chicken, chopped celery, seedless green grapes, and the dressing to the large bowl; toss to coat evenly.
- Refrigerate the salad to chill before serving.
- Arrange on salad plates and garnish with grapes and apple wedges dipped in lemon juice.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lighter version. You can also substitute the grapes with halved strawberries or dried cranberries for a different twist. To enhance the dish, add chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch. Ensure your chicken is well-seasoned before cooking to elevate the overall taste.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this delightful chicken salad on a bed of mixed greens or as a filling for sandwiches. It pairs beautifully with Chicken Chili With Beans for a hearty meal. For a light lunch, consider serving it alongside fresh fruit or a side of crunchy crackers for added texture and flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The salad is best consumed cold, so there's no need to reheat. If the salad appears too dry after storage, you can mix in a little more mayonnaise or yogurt to refresh it before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Linda'S Chicken Salad contains roughly 767 calories, with 2g protein, 18g carbohydrates, and 78g fat. It is a good source of vitamin C (17% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1756mg per serving (76% 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 use rotisserie chicken for this salad?
Yes, rotisserie chicken works great for this recipe and saves time. Just make sure to remove the skin and bones, and shred or cube the meat before adding it to the salad for a delicious, convenient option.
How can I make this salad healthier?
To make this chicken salad healthier, substitute half of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt and use less sugar. You can also add more vegetables like diced bell peppers or shredded carrots to increase the nutrient content while keeping it flavorful.
Can I prepare this salad in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the salad a day in advance. Just store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container. However, it's best to add the dressing just before serving to keep the ingredients fresh and prevent sogginess.
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).