How to Make Chicken Salad Chick’s Famous Grape Salad

Chicken Salad Chick’s grape salad is a sweet and tangy side dish that has gained a cult-like following across the South. With its creamy dressing and juicy grapes this salad is the perfect complement to Chicken Salad Chick’s signature chicken salads. Though the original recipe remains a closely guarded secret, home cooks have managed to develop their own copycat versions that capture the flavors of the original. In this article I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process for making this fan-favorite grape salad at home.

Overview of Chicken Salad Chick and Their Grape Salad

For the uninitiated, Chicken Salad Chick is a Southern-based fast casual restaurant chain that specializes in chicken salads. Founded in Auburn, Alabama in 2008 by Stacy Brown, the company has since expanded to over 175 locations across the Southeast

While Chicken Salad Chick offers a variety of salads and sandwiches, their grape salad is particularly renowned. It features a sweet and tangy dressing coated over juicy red and green grapes topped with brown sugar and crushed pecans. The salad provides the perfect balance of flavors and textures alongside Chicken Salad Chick’s savory chicken salads. It has developed a reputation as being downright addictive.

Finding a Copycat Recipe

Chicken Salad Chick closely guards the original recipe for their famous grape salad. However, over the years, food bloggers and home cooks have attempted to develop their own copycat versions. Most copycat recipes, like this one from Plain Chicken, attribute their recipe to an “official” leaked version from Chicken Salad Chick. However, Chicken Salad Chick has not confirmed the validity of these copycat recipes.

Nonetheless, many of these copycat recipes produce a salad that reviewers say tastes very close to the original. Popular food blogs like Southern Living and Plain Chicken offer recipes that replicate both the creamy dressing and the balance of flavors. For home cooks seeking to recreate the magic of Chicken Salad Chick’s grape salad, these copycat recipes offer a good starting point.

Ingredients Needed

The core ingredients for chicken salad chick grape salad copycats are:

• Cream cheese: This provides the base for the creamy dressing. Recipes call for 24-32 ounces of softened cream cheese.

• Sour cream: Around 2-3 cups of sour cream gives the dressing a tangy flavor.

• Sugar: 1 to 1 1⁄4 cups of granulated sugar adds sweetness to balance the tartness.

• Vanilla: 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla extract provides flavor depth.

• Grapes: Around 3 to 5 pounds of sweet red and green seedless grapes make up the bulk of the salad.

• Brown sugar: 2-4 tablespoons of brown sugar gives the topping a hint of molasses flavor.

• Chopped pecans: 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 cups of chopped or crushed pecans provide crunch.

While ingredients may vary slightly between recipes, this basic formula produces a salad with the right creamy, sweet-tart flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making chicken salad chick grape salad at home takes just a few simple steps:

Prep the grapes: Rinse the grapes thoroughly, drain them well, and remove any stems. Allow to fully air dry before using to prevent diluting the dressing.

Make the dressing: Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Fold in the sour cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix well until fully incorporated and creamy.

Toss the grapes: Place the grapes in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the top and gently toss to coat. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Add topping: Shortly before serving, sprinkle the brown sugar and chopped pecans over the top. The brown sugar will dissolve slightly into the dressing, while the pecans provide crunch.

Chill thoroughly: Allow salad to chill for several hours so the dressing has time to penetrate the grape skins. This allows the full sweet-tart flavor to develop.

Adjust to taste: Consider adding extra sugar or sour cream to adjust flavor if needed. Some recipes also add lemon juice or milk to tweak the thickness and tartness.

Serving Suggestions

Chicken salad chick grape salad truly shines when paired with the restaurant’s signature chicken salads. The savory, herbaceous flavors of the chicken complement the sweet creaminess of the grape salad. However, the grape salad also works well as a side for other entrees like:

• Fried or grilled chicken
• Turkey sandwiches
• Ham or roast beef sandwiches
• Chicken or tuna salads
• Pork tenderloin or chops

For parties, the grape salad makes a fun addition to a brunch or appetizer buffet. It also works nicely served in smaller portions as a breakfast side dish. Kids and adults alike will love the simple, sweet flavors.

Tips for Making the Best Grape Salad

Here are some helpful tips and tricks to maximize the flavor of your homemade chicken salad chick grape salad:

• Use very ripe, sweet grapes at the peak of freshness for maximum flavor.

• Chill the salad thoroughly to allow the dressing to permeate the grapes.

• Drain grapes very well after rinsing to prevent diluting the dressing.

• Gently toss grapes and dressing rather than over-mixing to avoid damaging grapes.

• Consider adding lemon juice or milk to tweak tartness and creaminess of dressing.

• Add extra sugar or salt if needed to bring flavors into balance.

• Let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to enhance flavors.

• Substitute slivered almonds or walnuts if you don’t have pecans.

• Serve in scoops rather than dumping from a bowl to prevent damaging grapes.

Enjoy This Southern Classic at Home

Recreating the signature grape salad from Chicken Salad Chick is totally doable at home. With a simple creamy dressing, juicy grapes, brown sugar, and crunchy pecans, you can whip up this addictively sweet-tart side in no time. Adjust the ingredients as needed to craft your ideal flavor profile. Serve alongside your favorite chicken dishes or enjoy on its own for a refreshing treat. Just be warned – once you start enjoying this Southern staple at home, you may find yourself craving it again and again!