Chicken salad is a classic dish that can be customized in endless ways One of the best ways to add flavor, texture, and nutrition is by adding nuts With so many options to choose from, what nuts go best in chicken salad?
Here is a complete guide to picking the perfect nuts to pair with chicken salad.
The Benefits of Adding Nuts to Chicken Salad
Nuts offer several benefits that make them a smart addition to chicken salad:
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Flavor – Nuts add so much flavor, from the subtle nuttiness of cashews to the bold crunch of walnuts. They complement the flavor of chicken beautifully.
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Texture – The crunch of nuts is a delightful contrast to the tender, creamy chicken in the salad. They add an exciting new dimension.
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Nutrition – Most nuts provide healthy fats, protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They boost the nutritional value of the salad.
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Satiety – Nuts are satiating meaning they help you feel fuller longer after eating. This makes chicken salad with nuts a satisfying meal.
With all these benefits, it’s easy to see why nuts are a chicken salad essential. Now let’s explore the best options.
The 7 Best Nuts for Chicken Salad
1. Almonds
Almonds are one of the most popular nuts to add to chicken salads, for good reason. Their mildly sweet, nutty flavor pairs perfectly with chicken. Chopped almonds add a satisfying crunch, while slivered almonds provide eye-catching texture. Their high protein and fiber keep you feeling full. For chicken salad, stick to raw almonds rather than smoked or flavored.
2. Walnuts
Walnuts have a robust, woodsy flavor that holds its own in chicken salad. Their crunch stands out against tender chicken. Walnuts are rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid with anti-inflammatory benefits. For the boldest flavor, use walnut pieces or halves rather than chopping them.
3. Pecans
Buttery, sweet pecans add incredible richness to chicken salad. Their indulgent flavor balances the lightness of the chicken. Chopped or halved pecans blend into the salad seamlessly. Pecans contain antioxidants that support heart health. Toasted pecans bring even more flavor.
4. Pistachios
Vibrant green pistachios add appealing color and visual flair to chicken salad. Their sweet, earthy flavor and addictive crunch make them a fun addition. Pistachios contain more potassium than bananas, which helps regulate blood pressure. Try roasted and salted pistachios for the ultimate flavor.
5. Cashews
Mild, almost sweet cashews allow the chicken flavor to take center stage while adding creaminess. Chopped cashews seamlessly meld into the salad, while whole cashews provide pops of texture. High in magnesium, cashews promote bone health and relaxation. Raw cashews work best rather than salted or roasted.
6. Peanuts
Don’t overlook peanuts – they add homey flavor and hearty crunch to chicken salad at an affordable price point. Peanuts contain more protein than any other nut, offering a satisfying nutrition boost. Chopped peanuts blend in easily. For more texture, add some crunchy peanut halves.
7. Hazelnuts
Underrated hazelnuts deserve more attention in chicken salads. They have a sweet, nutty flavor that enhances but doesn’t overwhelm the chicken. Toasted hazelnuts add crunch and irresistible aroma. Hazelnuts offer the highest folate content of any nut, which is important for cell growth and development.
Tips for Using Nuts in Chicken Salad
- Focus on 1-2 complementary nuts rather than mixing too many.
- Add nuts in moderation – they can overpower the salad quickly. Start with 1/4 to 1/2 cup per 3-4 cups of chicken salad.
- Toast or roast nuts to maximize flavor before adding to the salad.
- Chop nuts to seamlessly blend into the salad, or leave whole for pops of texture.
- Store chicken salad with nuts in the refrigerator and use within 3-5 days for freshness.
Simple Pairings to Try
Here are a few classic nut pairings to inspire your next chicken salad creation:
- Chicken Salad with Toasted Almonds and Dried Cranberries
- Curried Chicken Salad with Cashews and Golden Raisins
- Cajun Chicken Salad with Pecans and Red Onion
- Thai Chicken Salad with Peanuts and Lime Vinaigrette
- Chicken Salad with Pistachios, Celery, and Fresh Dill
The options are endless when pairing nuts with chicken salad. Whether you prefer a sweet or savory profile, crunchy texture, or pop of color, there’s a nut to match your tastes. So don’t hold back – it’s time to go nuts with your next chicken salad!
The Bottom Line
Nuts add tremendously to the taste, texture, nutrition, and satisfaction level of chicken salad. While classic almonds, walnuts, and pecans are sure bets, don’t be afraid to branch out with pistachios, peanuts, hazelnuts, and more. Mix and match different nuts to create your own signature chicken salad masterpiece. Just remember to use nuts in moderation to allow the chicken flavor to still shine through. With the right nut pairings, your chicken salad game will be taken to the next level!
How to make this recipe
Let me show you how easy it is to whip up this tasty lunch!
Once you have all of your ingredients out and ready to go, chicken salad is as easy as stirring them together in a large bowl. Here’s the simple process:
- Prep the ingredients. Gather all of the ingredients and start by shredding the chicken, slicing the grapes, chopping the pecans, and slicing the green onion (or chives).
- Stir salad ingredients. Add all ingredients along with the mayonnaise and salt & pepper to a large mixing bowl, and stir to combine.
- Serve and enjoy! Now, you’ve got yourself a nutritious, delicious lunch! I told you this chicken salad recipe was easy! And it’s full of flavor, quick to make and super filling with all that protein!
Chicken salad sandwiches are great with just the bread and salad, but we especially love to add extra ingredients for irresistible flavor and texture. Plus, many of these ideas also add nutrients. Here are some sandwich add-ons to try:
- Add sliced pickles or celery for extra crunch.
- I’m always a fan of avocado slices on my sandwich.
- Top the salad with lettuce or salad greens for fresh flavor.
- Adding fresh herbs, sprouts or pea shoots is a great way to add color, texture and nutrients.
- Bacon slices make any sandwich more delicious! Wouldn’t you agree?!
- Add a slice of fresh juicy tomato. This is a must for me when we have garden tomatoes!
From spices to extra chicken salad ingredients, there are many ways to add extra flavor. The grapes in this recipe add sweetness that’s a nice contrast with the other savory flavors. You can also add red onion or dijon mustard for a little zip, parsley for freshness and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness. Add salt and black pepper to taste!
It really depends on the recipe and how it’s served, but this specific recipe includes very simple whole food ingredients. The lean chicken gives this a nice boost of protein while the grapes, pecans and green onions add other nutrients. To decrease the fat, substitute all or part of the mayo with Greek yogurt to make the chicken salad dressing, and for a low-carb option, serve it on lettuce cups.
Chicken salad is best when it’s served chilled. We recommend letting the mixture chill in the fridge 1 to 2 hours before serving. This also helps all the flavors meld together and intensify for the tastiest dish.
There are so many options for ways to serve chicken salad with grapes! Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Sandwich. Chicken salad is traditionally served on sandwich bread and even though it’s super simple, it’s pretty darn delicious. You can even jazz it up by serving it on croissants, brioche bread or a toasted bagel. When I ordered the chicken salad sandwich at The Magnolia Table, it was served the BEST way, in my opinion, on croissants!
- In lettuce cups. If you’re looking to keep things really light with a low-carb option, filling lettuce cups with chicken salad is a great choice. So fresh and crisp!
- With crackers or chips. My kids love to spoon chicken salad onto buttery crackers and I have to admit, it’s incredible. You can also use it as a dip with crackers or chips.
- Wrapped in a tortilla. Spoon a serving of this in a wrap or tortilla for a chicken salad wrap.
This salad is fabulous as-is, but you can easily swap out the ingredients to customize the flavors to your tastes. Here’s some ideas:
- Different fruit. If you don’t have grapes, try adding chopped apple, raisins or dried cranberries. You could also just omit the grapes.
- Nuts. This recipe calls for chopped pecans, but you can use other types of nuts, like almonds, walnuts, or cashews. Not a fan of nuts? They are completely optional.
- Low-fat chicken salad. Replace the mayo with mashed avocado and sour cream for an avocado chicken salad. Or for a low fat version, replace some or all of the mayo with Greek yogurt.
- Chicken. Rotisserie chicken is delicious in this chicken salad, but you can also use any leftover cooked chicken you have on-hand. Try our delicious baked chicken breasts. Canned chicken works too.
- BBQ chicken salad. Make a BBQ version by adding 2-3 tablespoons of your favorite BBQ sauce in place of some of the mayonnaise and leave out the grapes and pecans.
- Seasoning. Add spices to this recipe to add different flavors like garlic, paprika, curry powder, or even mustard. Try chipotle seasoning and lime juice or a dash of cayenne pepper with pickled jalapeños for a spicy version.
This salad recipe is super easy, but here are a few tips so that it turns out perfect every time!
- This recipe takes a total time of 10 minutes to whip up, but I like to refrigerate it for at least an hour to give the flavors a chance to come together.
- We don’t recommend freezing chicken salad because the mayo will separate when defrosting. You can freeze the cooked chicken, then just defrost it in the refrigerator the day before you want to make the salad, and add the other fresh ingredients the day of.
- This is a great recipe to make-ahead at the beginning of the week for grab-and-go lunches, and my go-to when I have a busy schedule ahead. You’ll never want to go back to store-bought chicken salad again!
This healthy chicken salad with grapes is so tasty there probably won’t be leftovers! But if there is, it will keep fresh in the fridge for up to about 4 days. That means, this recipe totally works for meal prep! Store it in an airtight container for best results. Give it a good stir when you’re ready to serve it.
Don’t leave it out at room temperature for more than two hours for food safety.
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If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, tag @kimscravings on Instagram with a picture of your creation. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.
How to Make Chicken Salad | Chicken Salad Recipe | Lunch Ideas | Canned Chicken Recipes
FAQ
What nuts go best in salad?
For salads, I like toasted pecans, toasted almonds, and pine nuts. They add vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and protein.
Are there nuts in chicken salad?
Yes, nuts are a common addition to chicken salad, providing a pleasant crunch and flavor.
What should be in a chicken salad?
- Chicken. Skip the hassle of cooking the chicken yourself and pick up a rotisserie chicken.
- Alliums. Finely chopped red onion or scallions up the flavor.
- Celery. Finely chopped celery adds some crunch.
- Grapes. …
- Dill. …
- Mayo. …
- Celery Seed.
What are the four ingredients in chicken salad?
- 3 cups cooked chicken diced.
- 1/4 cup finely diced celery.
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion.
- 1/2 cup salad dressing, mayonnaise or Greek yogurt.
- salt & pepper if needed.
What nuts go well with salad?
Nuts Nuts also go extremely well with salads, be it the warm or the cold kind. Almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, cashew nuts are all great additions to salad meals, as these add a nice crunch, a delicious flavour and of course nutrition to the meals.
What is a good chicken salad?
Avocado Chicken Salad Ingredients: Shredded chicken, ripe avocado, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, and a sprinkle of chili flakes. Taste & Look: Green, creamy, and fresh with zesty notes. It’s a great mayo-free option and tastes fantastic on toast. 5. Curry Chicken Salad
What’s in a chicken salad?
Ingredients: Boiled chicken, Duke’s mayo, chopped hard-boiled eggs, sweet relish, and a hint of mustard. Taste & Look: Creamy and tangy with little pops of sweetness. It has that nostalgic Southern charm—perfect for a summer picnic or sandwich. 3. Chicken Waldorf Salad
What’s in a southern chicken salad?
2. Southern Chicken Salad Ingredients: Boiled chicken, Duke’s mayo, chopped hard-boiled eggs, sweet relish, and a hint of mustard. Taste & Look: Creamy and tangy with little pops of sweetness. It has that nostalgic Southern charm—perfect for a summer picnic or sandwich.
What is in a rotisserie chicken salad?
Rotisserie Chicken Salad Ingredients: Pulled store-bought rotisserie chicken, mayo, celery, and a bit of Dijon mustard. Taste & Look: Easy, fast, and flavorful. The rotisserie chicken adds depth and smokiness to the creamy base. 14. Tarragon Chicken Salad Ingredients: Poached chicken, fresh tarragon, mayo, lemon juice, and grapes.
What are the ingredients in a Mediterranean chicken salad?
Mediterranean Chicken Salad Ingredients: Chicken breast, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, kalamata olives, feta, olive oil, and oregano. Taste & Look: A colorful, hearty mix with bold, salty flavors. Light and fresh but still super satisfying.