Fancy Chicken Salad with Apples and Grapes

Fancy Chicken Salad with Apples and Grapes is a delicious and filling salad. This copycat recipe Fancy Nancy chicken salad from Chicken Salad Chick is bursting with juicy grapes, crisp apples, and crunchy pecans, all tossed in a light and creamy dressing. It’s seriously good. Perfect for lunch or a light dinner.

I love easy-to-make salad recipes, like this homemade chicken salad with grapes and apples. This recipe has all that delicious balance of flavors and textures, just like the famous restaurant version, but made right in your own kitchen.

I often visit Chicken Salad Chick for lunch or to grab some of their selections to take home for a light supper. Sometimes you just crave a particular meal but don’t want to make a special trip. So, I set out to recreate it at home, and after a few tweaks, I made my copycat version of the popular Fancy Nancy, and everyone loved it.

Salads are pretty standard in my house whether it’s a tossed salad with a homemade Greek dressing or a cucumber tomato salad, or this lightened-up broccoli salad. Salads are just easy to make, very versatile, and can be made ahead of time so it’s one less part of your meal you have to worry about. This chicken salad with fruit recipe fits all of those categories and it’s just plain delicious to eat.

Fancy Chicken Salad with Apples and Grapes

Besides this fancy chicken salad tasting amazing, it’s the perfect recipe to use leftover chicken with or rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. I often buy chicken in bulk and package some to freeze and cook a few chicken breasts in chicken stock on the stove to use in this and other recipes, like a homemade chicken pot pie or these easy chicken lasagna roll ups.

When you make chicken salad at home, you can change it up every time it’s made if you prefer. Use what you have on hand, or add something new and spicy. Add diced red onion instead of the onion powder or omit the fruit and add diced bell peppers or a diced jalapeno for a kick.

Whether you’re a fan of Chicken Salad Chick or just looking for a fresh and flavorful chicken salad recipe, this one is sure to become a new favorite.

This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see my disclosure policy.

Timesaving Tips and Variations

Looking to make this recipe even easier or customize it to your tastes? Here are some handy tips and variations to try:

• Leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken can be used to save cooking time.
• Replace mayonnaise with avocado mayo, if desired.
• Substitute half of the mayo with sour cream, if desired.
• Green grapes can be used if you prefer.
• The kind of apple used is up to you, Honeycrisp is also delicious to use.
• Add diced onion to the mixture.
• Serve on bread, rolls, as a lettuce wrap, or with crackers.
• It can be made a day ahead.
• This recipe does make quite a bit, you can half the recipe easily.
• Chill before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together

No matter how you make it, sticking to the recipe or trying variations, this dish is sure to be a new favorite. It’s so versatile and delicious, that you’ll be making it again and again.

If you’re tired of the same boring chicken salad, then you have to give this fancy version a try. You’ll be hooked!

How do I serve homemade chicken salad?

You can serve it as a sandwich on toasted bread, as a wrap, or on a roll. It’s great to serve with crackers at luncheons or in lettuce cups. Sometimes I will hollow a tomato or bell pepper and use that as a container for the chicken salad.

Can I Make this Ahead of Time?

Yes – Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days depending on how fresh the cooked chicken is.

If you love this copycat recipe, Fancy Nancy, you’ll love the Classic Carol Chicken Salad Chick Chicken Salad.

Suggested Tools to Use for Making Chicken Salad

Whipping up this recipe is easier with the right tools. Here’s whatyou ‘ll want to have handy:

• cutting board
• knife
• mixing bowls
• rubber spatula
• lemon juicer
• measuring cups and spoons
• small skillet (to toast the nuts)

Ingredients

Having these tools at your fingertips will make your time in the kitchen go smoothly and the result will be a delicious creation.

Ingredients

The ingredients are all commonly found at your grocery store. I like to use a Granny Smith apple and red grapes. The tartness of the apple and the sweetness of the grapes go so well together. Don’t skip the toasting of the pecans in this recipe, it really brings out the flavor of the nuts.

How to Make Fancy Chicken Salad

Step 1

Lightly toast the pecans in a small dry skillet.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, add diced chicken, fruit, celery, and pecans. In a separate small bowl, whisk the ingredients for the dressing.

Step 3

Pour the creamy dressing over the chicken and fruit mixture, mixing well until combined. Refrigerate the fruity chicken salad for at least two hours or until ready to serve. Serve on crackers, a bed of lettuce, croissants, or your favorite bread.

This really is the best chicken salad recipe to make. Whether you have it for lunch or serve it at a special event, like a baby shower or birthday lunch, it’s perfect.

Other Easy Lunch Ideas

Looking for more quick and delicious midday meals? Check out these other easy recipe ideas:

• Bacon Cheddar Egg Salad
• Grilled Portabella Caprese
• Tuna Salad Sandwich

So, next time lunchtime rolls around, remember these quick and easy recipes – they’re sure to satisfy!

This recipe is a game-changer. It’s easy, delicious, and tastes just like the real deal. So, ditch the drive-thru and make your own Fancy Nancy chicken salad at home! You won’t be disappointed.

Printable Recipe Card

Enjoy!