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Sonoma Chicken Salad

Creamy Sonoma chicken salad with red grapes and toasted almonds close up.

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A fresh and vibrant California-style chicken salad featuring sweet grapes, crunchy almonds, and a creamy honey-mustard dressing. It’s a gourmet salad that’s simple to make and perfect for picnics, lunches, or a light dinner. Serve it on a croissant, over greens, or enjoy it straight from the bowl.

Ingredients

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  • 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced (about 1.5 lbs raw)
  • 1 cup red seedless grapes, halved
  • 1/2 cup celery, finely diced
  • 1/3 cup sliced or slivered almonds, toasted
  • 1/4 cup green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon or parsley

Instructions

  1. Prepare the base ingredients. Toast almonds in a dry skillet over medium-low heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and golden, then set aside to cool. Shred or dice the cooked chicken. Halve the grapes, dice the celery, and slice the green onions.
  2. Make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, honey, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
  3. Combine. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken, grapes, celery, toasted almonds, and green onions.
  4. Fold. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture. Gently fold everything together until evenly coated, being careful to keep the grapes intact. Fold in fresh herbs if using.
  5. Chill. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Notes

For best flavor, use a good-quality mayonnaise. The salad keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Do not freeze. For a lighter version, use all Greek yogurt instead of mayo. For a nut-free option, substitute toasted sunflower seeds for the almonds.

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