Summer Chicken Salad with Grapes and Almonds
Updated Jun 12, 2026, Published Jul 11, 2019
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Chicken salad with grapes and almonds is a fresh, easy summer recipe that comes together in just 10 minutes. Red grapes, crunchy slivered almonds, celery, and chicken are tossed in a creamy, well-seasoned dressing with a secret ingredient you won’t expect.
It works just as well piled onto a toasted croissant as it does served on top of a fresh tomato or avocado for a low carb option.
This is the chicken salad you’ll want to make all summer long.
Table of Contents
There’s something extra special about recipes that remind us of home, and for me, that’s my mom’s chicken salad. It was a staple growing up, made with love and always packed with flavor. Just thinking about it takes me right back to warm afternoons sitting around the picnic table.
She even made simple moments feel special. A picnic in the park with her chicken salad and classic no bake cookies packed in our basket felt like a five-star experience. No need for a restaurant—Mom’s version was better than anything we could order off of a menu.
This recipe is easy, budget-friendly, and full of nostalgic flavor. One bite, and you’ll see why it’s always been a favorite.
Ingredients Needed
- Chicken – Two cups of cooked, cubed or shredded chicken. This is a great use for leftover rotisserie chicken or anything you have on hand.
- Red Grapes – Halved red grapes add sweetness and a pop of color that makes the salad feel like summer.
- Mayonnaise – The base of the dressing. Use your favorite brand for the best results.
- Nutmeg – Just a small pinch, but don’t skip it. It enhances the other flavors in the dressing in a way that’s hard to put your finger on.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make Chicken Salad with Grapes and Almonds
Assembling this Quick Summer Chicken Salad with Grapes and Almonds couldn’t be simpler.
- Add all of the prepared salad ingredients to a medium sized bowl.
- Whisk the dressing ingredients together. Then add your dressing to the other ingredients.
- Mix until everything is coated nicely.
Pro Tips
- Adjust the dressing to your preference. I prefer a chicken salad that has plenty of dressing, but if you like it a little drier, just add less and go from there.
- Don’t skip the nutmeg. It’s not there to be tasted outright — a small amount enhances the other flavors in a way that really takes the dressing up a notch.
- Slice the grapes and celery thinly. Halved grapes and thinly chopped celery keep the texture balanced so you get a little of everything in each bite.
Serving Suggestions
When it comes to serving this recipe for chicken salad with grapes and almonds, there are so many different options.
I love it piled high, on top of a toasted croissant or on slices of my one hour bread. But it also works great on top of a fresh tomato or avocado for a low carb option. I can’t wait to hear how you serve it.
Storage Instructions
Store left chicken salad in an airtight container {or covered tightly in plastic wrap} in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely. The chicken and mayonnaise are really just a base. Adding elements of sweet and crunchy is what makes this salad interesting, so feel free to swap in other mix-ins you love.
Red grapes work best here for their sweetness and color, but green grapes would work too.
Yes. This chicken salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, so it’s a great option for meal prep.
Want more summer recipes? Try these…
Did you try this recipe? Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below and tag @practicallyhomemade on Pinterest!
Summer Chicken Salad with Grapes and Almonds Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken , {cubed or shredded}
- 20 medium red grapes, {halved}
- ¼ cup slivered almonds
- 1 stalk celery, {chopped thinly}
- 1 green onion , {sliced thinly}
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg , {optional}
- 1 Tablespoon milk
Instructions
- In a medium bowl combine the chicken, grapes, almonds, celery and green onions.
- In a small bowl combine the dressing ingredients and whisk until smooth. Pour dressing over the chicken salad and stir to combine. Making sure that all of the salad ingredients are completely coated.
- Serve your chicken salad with grapes and almonds immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
