Crispy Chicken Salad (Printable Version)

Tender chicken blends with celery, grapes, and greens for a fresh, crisp, and satisfying dish ready in minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 3 cups cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded or chopped
02 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
03 - 1/2 cup celery, finely diced
04 - 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved
05 - 4 cups mixed salad greens (romaine, arugula, spinach)
06 - 1/4 cup sliced almonds or pecans (optional)
07 - Salt, to taste
08 - Black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

09 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives or parsley, chopped (optional)

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, gently mix shredded rotisserie chicken, mayonnaise, diced celery, and halved grapes until evenly coated.
02 - Add salt and black pepper according to taste, stirring lightly to incorporate.
03 - Distribute mixed salad greens evenly onto four individual plates or a single serving platter.
04 - Spoon the chicken mixture over the bed of greens on each plate or platter.
05 - Sprinkle sliced almonds or pecans if desired, then garnish with chopped chives or parsley.
06 - Present the salad promptly to maintain optimal crispness and texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in 15 minutes flat, no cooking required, which means you can actually enjoy your afternoon instead of spending it in the kitchen.
  • The combination of mayonnaise and fruit creates a depth of flavor that tastes far more sophisticated than the three minutes of actual effort it takes.
  • It works as a quick lunch, a casual dinner, or even a show-stopping dish when you're pretending you spent way more time on it than you did.
02 -
  • Use warm or room-temperature rotisserie chicken if possible—it absorbs the mayo better than cold chicken, which sounds weird but makes a real difference in the final texture.
  • Don't dice the grapes too small or they'll disappear into the salad. Halves are perfect because you still see them, still taste them, and they don't get lost.
03 -
  • Prep the ingredients separately up to a few hours ahead, then combine the chicken mixture just before serving to keep the greens maximally crisp.
  • If you're transporting this to a picnic or potluck, bring the greens and chicken mixture in separate containers and assemble on-site—your salad will taste fresher and hold up better.
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