Name: Chicken Salad with Walnuts and Grapes
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 5 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 95 g mayonnaise; 1 lemon; 1 g salt; 1 g black pepper; 4.5 g chives; 4.5 g parsley; 3 g tarragon; 1360 g roasted chicken; 30 g red onion; 75 g celery; 240 g red seedless grapes; 90 g walnuts; mesclun; crusty bread

Equipment

Small mixing bowl

or Medium bowl or large jar

Large mixing bowl

Ingredients

5 servings

Dressing

95 g mayonnaise
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1 g salt
1 g black pepper, freshly ground
4½ g chives, finely chopped
4½ g parsley, finely chopped
3 g tarragon, finely chopped

Salad

1360 g roasted chicken, skin removed, roughly chopped
30 g red onion, finely chopped
75 g celery, finely chopped
240 g red seedless grapes, halved
90 g walnuts, roughly chopped, lightly toasted

Optional Serving

mesclun
crusty bread

Nutrition (per serving)

970

Calories

82g

Protein

24g

Carbs

63g

Fat

Fiber

Sugar

501mg

Sodium

Method

In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.

Stir the chopped chives, parsley, and tarragon into the mayonnaise mixture.

Place the chopped chicken, red onion, celery, halved grapes, and toasted walnuts into a large bowl.

Pour the herb dressing over the chicken mixture and fold gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.

Taste the salad and add more salt or pepper if required. Serve immediately or chill.

Chef's Notes

For the best texture, use pre-cooked chicken that is still moist. Rotisserie chicken is an excellent shortcut, but ensure it's cooled before chopping.
Toast the walnuts lightly to bring out their nutty flavor and enhance their crunch. Be careful not to burn them, as this can turn their flavor bitter.
Chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving allows the flavors to meld beautifully and ensures a refreshing taste, especially on a warm day.
Adjust the amount of lemon juice and herbs to your personal preference. A little more zest can add a brighter punch, while a different herb like dill could offer a new flavor profile.
For a creamy dressing, ensure your mayonnaise is full-fat. If you prefer a lighter version, you can substitute some of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt, but this will alter the richness.