Crispy Chicken Salad (Printable)

Tender chicken, celery, grapes, and creamy dressing served on fresh mixed greens for a crisp contrast.

# Ingredient List:

→ Salad

01 - 3 cups cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded or chopped
02 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
03 - 1/2 cup celery, finely diced
04 - 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved
05 - 4 cups mixed salad greens (romaine, arugula, spinach)
06 - 1/4 cup sliced almonds or pecans (optional)
07 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

08 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives or parsley, chopped (optional)

# Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, gently mix shredded rotisserie chicken with mayonnaise, finely diced celery, and halved grapes until evenly coated.
02 - Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, stirring lightly to incorporate.
03 - Distribute mixed salad greens evenly onto four individual plates or a single large serving platter.
04 - Spoon the chicken mixture over the bed of greens, ensuring even coverage.
05 - Sprinkle with sliced almonds or pecans if desired, then garnish with chopped fresh chives or parsley.
06 - Serve immediately to maintain freshness and crisp texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent but comes together in less time than it takes to order takeout.
  • One rotisserie chicken becomes a meal that actually feels special without pretension.
  • You can make it exactly as creamy or light as your mood demands that day.
02 -
  • Don't chop the chicken too fine or it becomes paste instead of salad—you want identifiable pieces that feel substantial when you eat it.
  • The grapes are doing half the work here; if yours aren't sweet, the whole thing falls flat, so taste one first, they matter that much.
03 -
  • Toast your nuts right before assembling—it takes three minutes in a dry skillet and transforms them from background noise into something people actually notice and enjoy.
  • Keep your greens separate and cold until the last possible moment, assemble individual plates instead of a big platter if you're not eating immediately, and the salad will stay crisp and alive instead of collapsing into itself.
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