Chicken Salad with Pecans (Printable Version)
Tender chicken, crisp pecans, celery, and grapes blended in a rich, creamy dressing. A delightful, easy-to-make dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
→ Nuts
02 - 0.5 cup pecans, roughly chopped
→ Vegetables & Fruits
03 - 1 cup celery, finely sliced
04 - 1 cup red seedless grapes, halved
05 - 2 tablespoons red onion, finely diced
→ Dressing
06 - 0.5 cup mayonnaise
07 - 0.25 cup plain Greek yogurt
08 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
10 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
11 - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
→ Optional Garnishes
12 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
# Directions:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the diced chicken, chopped pecans, finely sliced celery, halved red grapes, and finely diced red onion.
02 - In a separate small bowl, vigorously whisk together the mayonnaise, plain Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well-emulsified.
03 - Carefully pour the prepared dressing over the combined chicken and vegetable mixture. Gently toss all ingredients until they are uniformly coated with the dressing.
04 - If desired, fold in the chopped fresh parsley at this stage to enhance flavor and presentation.
05 - Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate the chicken salad for a minimum of 30 minutes. This chilling period allows the flavors to meld and deepen.
06 - Serve the chilled chicken salad as desired: on a crisp bed of lettuce, as a sandwich filling, or accompanied by crackers.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It's incredibly versatile; you can whip it up for a quick weekday lunch or dress it up for a gathering.
- The combination of creamy dressing, tender chicken, and crunchy, sweet add-ins is utterly delightful and never boring.
02 -
- The chilling time isn't just for cooling; it's absolutely crucial for the flavors to fully develop and meld into something truly harmonious.
- Don't be afraid to taste the dressing before adding it to the chicken; adjusting the lemon or salt here can elevate the whole dish.
03 -
- Always use good quality mayonnaise and fresh lemon juice; they make a world of difference in the dressing's final flavor.
- Avoid overmixing the salad once the dressing is added to keep the chicken tender and prevent it from becoming shredded.