When I think about my favorite picnic and potluck salads, this Chicken Salad with Grapes is one of the first that comes to mind. Tender chunks of chicken, sweet grapes, crunchy celery, dried apricots, and toasted almonds are tossed in a creamy, yogurt based dressing with hints of apricot preserves and dijon mustard.
My go-to Curry Chicken Salad inspired this recipe. I amped up the apricot flavor with bits of dried apricot and swapped in whole grain mustard for the curry powder and crunchy almonds for cashews. Every bite is a jumble of salty, savory, sweet, and creamy as a good chicken salad should be.
You can use a rotisserie chicken or any leftover chicken for this salad, but I recommend using this Shredded Chicken recipe to make your own. It's ridiculously easy and the chicken comes out melt-in-your-mouth tender. Just chop the chicken instead of shredding it and you'll have a bonus of concentrated chicken broth to use or freeze for something else.
My choice for dried apricots is the unsulphered variety. I know they're not as pretty to look at, but they taste better and tend to have a better texture. Plus, no preservatives! And I've called for roasted and salted almonds because I love how that salty crunch pairs with sweet, chewy bits of apricot, but feel free to use unsalted almonds if you prefer.
Share this Chicken Salad with Grapes with friends and family at your next get together, and I predict it will become one of your favorites too!
How to Make Chicken Salad with Grapes
Step 1: Whisk together yogurt, mustard and apricot preserves until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Combine chicken, grapes, almonds, dried apricots, and celery in a large salad bowl. Add dressing and gently toss to combine. Refrigerate 30 minutes or more before serving.
Recipe Video
Chicken Salad with Grapes
Ingredients
For the Dressing
- 1 cup plain, whole milk yogurt see recipe note #1
- 2 teaspoons whole grain mustard
- 2 tablespoons apricot preserves see recipe note #2
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Salad
- 1 pound cooled chicken breast cooked, cut into 1" pieces, see recipe note #3
- ½ pound red or green seedless grapes
- 3 ounces roasted and salted almonds coarsely chopped
- 10 dried apricots diced small, see recipe note #4
- 4 ribs celery coarsely chopped
- butter lettuce leaves or romaine leaves, for serving (optional)
- minced chives for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- To make the dressing, whisk yogurt and mustard together in a small bowl. Add apricot preserves and whisk until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Add chicken, grapes, almonds, apricots, and celery to a large serving bowl. Spoon dressing over and gently stir to combine ingredients and coat evenly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve as is or scooped over leaves of butter or romaine lettuce and sprinkle with chives if desired.
Notes
- For a richer dressing, use half yogurt and half mayonnaise.
- Look for apricot preserves with "apricots" as the first ingredient, not sugar or high fructose corn syrup.
- I recommend making this easy Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken recipe and chopping instead of shredding the chicken. You'll need 2 bone in, skin on chicken breasts, each weighing about 1 ¼ pounds (2 ½ pounds total) to yield 1 pound of cooked chicken breast.
- I prefer unsulphured dried apricots for their texture and flavor. (Even if they're not as pretty to look at. 😉 )
Fell in love with this beautiful salad the moment I laid my eyes on it. I happen to visit your blog via Simpleglutenfreekitchen blog by Balvinder. I am so glad I did...you have a beautiful space and lovely recipes 🙂
Thanks so much!
Wonderful! I’ve often included grapes, but I love that you added dried apricots, and also the bit of apricot jam in the dressing! Brilliant!
What a great idea to add the apricot preserves and mustard Marissa. I’m such a chicken salad fan and always up for a new recipe! Can’t wait to try your recipe!
I'm excited to hear what you think, Mary Ann. I love the play of savory and sweet in chicken salads!
Loving all the flavors and texture!! This salad is such a treat!! Can't wait to make it!!
Love to hear that, Annie. Thank you!
It's currently lunch time and my stomach is growling. I would love to be eating this right now! Love the freshness from the grapes and crunch from the celery! A picnic must-have Marissa!
Thanks, Leanne! Wish you were here - glad to share! 😉
You make the best creamy salads, Marissa!! This one looks just fantastic! I absolutely LOVE grapes in my chicken salad, so I can't wait to try this recipe! Pinned!
Aww, thanks so much, Cheyanne!
This is reminiscent of a salad my mom used to make and I love it. She did not add dried fruit though, and I think the addition of the apricots is brilliant. I'm in! Beautiful. ~Valentina
Yay!! Thank you, Valentina.
I have never thought of pairing chicken with grapes. This looks really amazing!!!
They're so good together! Thanks for your sweet comment, Sheenam!
I saw this picture on Instagram last night, and I immediately began craving chicken salad. This looks delicious, and I love the apricot twist here. What a unique and fun addition to chicken salad. Now I just need to find a picnic somewhere this weekend so I have an excuse to make a big batch of this one! 🙂
Thank you, David! You're right - perfect picnic fare!
My kind of chicken salad! All your additions sound marvelous---I love adding grapes, nuts, dried fruit, too!! Loaded is best 🙂
Thanks, Liz and I agree - from salads to cookies, loaded is best! 😉
this sounds wonderful. i make a very similar version in summer. only 4 months to go! cheers sherry
Thank you, Sherry!
I love chicken salad, I could eat it all day. However I have to say I love the flavours you have going on. I’ve tried making chicken salad with grapes and nuts and loved it, but never with apricots. Think I’m going to have to experiment when I make my next batch!
Fantastic! Thank you, Matt!
This looks wonderful and such a light yet satisfying salad for summer, or anytime of the year! Lots of textures going on here that make this dish fun to eat!
Thank you, Kevin!
This salad reminds me of one my mother in law makes, only hers is without chicken. I really love the added chicken in there for extra oomph and paired with those sweet, juicy grapes, it really must be one delicious bite. Sweet and savoury combos are my fave and this looks like one must try salad this summer 🙂
Thank you, Dawn! I'm with you on the sweet and savory combos...
Marissa, this chicken salad looks wonderful! I love the salty, tangy, sweet combo. So much flavor and texture!
Thanks so much, Kelly!