Cold Lemon-Dill Chicken Salad with Grapes and Walnuts
A refreshing, creamy chicken salad perfect for picnic sandwiches or atop mixed greens, featuring tender chicken breast, crisp grapes, and crunchy walnuts dressed in a zesty lemon-dill mayo. This american-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 15 minutes pairs shredded cooked chicken breast, halved red seedless grapes, finely chopped celery stalks for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
- 1 cup halved red seedless grapes
- 2 finely chopped celery stalks
- 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast, 1 cup halved red seedless grapes, 2 finely chopped celery stalks, and 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts evenly.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Step 3: Pour the lemon-dill mayonnaise dressing over the chicken mixture and fold gently until all ingredients are coated evenly, about 30 seconds. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving for flavors to meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cold Lemon-Dill Chicken Salad with Grapes and Walnuts take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cold Lemon-Dill Chicken Salad with Grapes and Walnuts?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep halved red seedless grapes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cold Lemon-Dill Chicken Salad with Grapes and Walnuts?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cold Lemon-Dill Chicken Salad with Grapes and Walnuts for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cold Lemon-Dill Chicken Salad with Grapes and Walnuts?
American sandwiches & wraps like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
