I really hesitated whether or not to post this recipe, first because, is it really possible to photograph chicken salad in an attractive manner? Food mixed up with mayonnaise doesn’t necessarily take good pictures. Second, this chicken salad is just something I have been making for years as my regular lunch.
However, I have made this version of chicken salad for a million of those luncheons, you now the ones, where cold cuts, cheese platters and sandwich trays are served. Everyone always loves it, so today I’m sharing it with you. I think you might like it too.
This is also one of dishes that tastes better after it has sat in the fridge for a while, the flavors marinating and melding together.
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It’s also good enough to eat sans the bread over sliced tomatoes, it’s pretty addicting. I like it on toasted bagels too.
So give it a whirl, it makes enough to last several days.
In a large bowl add the celery, scallions, grapes, chicken, mayonnaise, Miracle Whip and Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning. Mix well.
Fold in sunflower kernels.
Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
Chicken Salad My Way
1 large celery rib, finely diced
2 scallions, white and green parts, finely chopped
25 red seedless grapes, quartered
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup Miracle Whip (if you don’t like Miracle Whip just use regular mayo)
1 Tablespoon Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning & Salad Dressing Mix (this is just the dry packet usedto make the dressing)
24 ounces canned chicken or leftover rotisserie chicken
1/4 cup roasted salted sunflower kernels
In a large bowl add the celery, scallions, grapes, chicken, mayonnaise, Miracle Whip and Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning. Mix well.
Fold in sunflower kernels.
Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
KathyB. says
I am sooooo making this! I love chicken salad, with or without the bread.
donna says
Never thought to add hidden valley ranch mix, great idea. My chicken salad is very basic, I like to add pineapple chunks sometimes and honey mustard, green grapes, celery, and slivered almonds, mayo, s and p, so many versions, such a great dish!
BethieofVA says
Oooooo, my husband adores chicken salad. I usually do red grapes and almonds, or even walnuts.
nina says
Nothing wrong with that photograph, that’s for sure. I like the grapes and the toasted sunflower seeds….great flavors and crunch!!
Leslie says
Looks yummy Cathy. Very similar to my chicken salad that everyone loves. Its not chicken salad without the grapes!!!YUM
Lea Ann says
I make a similar Chicken Salad. When I was growing up, I thought Miracle Whip WAS mayo. I also use part Miracle Whip and Mayo in my Chicken Salad. I sometimes will throw in a little tarragon.
pam says
well, yes you can make chicken salad attractive! I love a good chicken salad, and I’m adding this to my list!
Amanda says
Photo looks good to me! That’s pretty close to how I make mine too. I don’t care for Miracle Whip, so I use mayonnaise. I like the addition of the sunflower seeds, will have to try that 🙂
Julia says
I think you did a great job with the photograph!
Jennifer says
I love chicken salad and this looks good. The pictures came out great as well!
Laura says
you had me at the pic with the bread… I would love this my family would hate it…
dawn says
it is hard to photograph any type of salad, but I gotta give you props as these are really good. I love the stuff in your salad!
Jenn says
Sounds yummy! I might have to try that… I’m so picky about chicken salad. My chicken salad is just chicken, miracle whip, crushed pineapple and pecans.
Krista says
My Mother would love you for this post. She has always put grapes in her chicken salad and we all think it’s weird. Maybe it’s not so weird. Sounds delicious!
Katrina says
At first look, I thought ewwee. But I’d have to go with mayo and leave out the onions. Then it actually sounds really good–with the sunflower seeds and the ranch dressing. I’ll have to try that. Picture looks great to me.
CarolV says
I make a similar version with pecans and it really is delicious. I think I’ll try it next time with the sunflower seeds.
megan says
I love the addition of grapes and may I say, You did a terrific job of photographing this chicken salad. The pictures truly make me want to run into the kitchen and make this. And I would but I dont have any chicken,… or grapes,…or celery. But I am going to the store today! 🙂 Guess whats for dinner tonight?
dawn says
I love chicken salad but how clever adding the Hidden Valley, I have to try that, thsnks.
Marlene says
Looks super yummy!!
Cathy at Wives with Knives says
This is one of my favorite way to prepare chicken. My mouth is watering for a bite of that sandwich.
Marjie says
The grapes make all the difference in the appearance; suddenly, it’s not just a tan mass of mayo and chicken. This looks really good.
Mental P Mama says
I’ll have this before some apple upside down pie. Thanks.
Marcy says
looks good but I don’t care for grapes in a chicken salad, or scallions. But the rest sounds yummy;) hope all is well with you and yours Cathy!
grace says
i won’t lie–your way is not my way. still looks pretty tasty, so as long as i can look past the mayo, miracle whip, and ranch (yeah, 0 for 3), we’d be okay.
Bob says
Sounds fantastic, love the sunflower seeds in there.
elra says
Look delicious as always, love the grape addition. It surely add sweetness to it.
Jennifer Fun House says
I love chicken salad w/ grapes! I will definitely try this!
Lena in VT says
This sounds heavenly. I am having a luncheon for my grandughter’s christening and I will make this for the buffet table.
Pam says
I think the photos look amazing. Adding sunflower seeds is a great idea.
annbb says
That looks delicious! We had a deli that made grilled chicken salad with fresh pineapple (and other ingredients). It’s been at least 10 years since I’ve tasted it and I still think about it!
Blond Duck says
I love the grapes and ranch dressing idea!
Debbie says
I just love chicken salad with grapes. It’s a must for me. I agree that it tastes better the next day after the flavors all blend together…so good!
RobinSue says
I love chicken salad this way! Love the crunch and sweetness!
Linda says
Yummy … I make mine the same way, except I use pecans instead of sunflower seeds. Favorite lunch ever.
Ok … that upside down apple pie … you just solved my what-to-take-to-the-inlaws-on-Thanksgiving dilemma! Bless you!
manasi.g says
i m so fond of mayo,going to try this weekend for brunch!
Velva says
There is nothing better than a good chicken sandwich. Yours looks absolutely delicious!
Lisa Sipple says
Ridiculously delicious, love the secret seasoning of Ranch…brilliant!
Asthmagirl says
Yum! One of my favorites!
Mary says
Cathy, you may have worked around the problem, but your salad looks beautiful to these old eyes. I really like your recipe.
Lisa says
Are you kidding? Your sandwich looks great!
Liz C. says
This is a brilliant salad and looks lovely too. Now that I’m dieting until the holidays I needed something other than Upside Down Apple Pie. You killed me with those pictures. Talk about drool.
Rachel the SdOC says
Ooh. I love the addition of sunflower seeds!
Danielle says
Normally I love just about every recipe you post…and this sounded fabulous right up to the Miracle Whip…I despise MW…I do however add honey to my mayonnaise based chicken salad though…so I might give it a try with that combo instead. The ranch dressing sounds interesting!
Natasha - 5 Star Foodie says
Looks awesome with grapes!
imom says
I love chicken salad, especially with grapes! Nice recipe.
Paula says
Oh, those grapes look terrific in there. I bet they really sweeten this up and provide great texture contrast. I also like your mayo, dressing, miracle whip trio. This is a great chix salad!
Tami Lyn says
This looks so yummy Cathy. I love the addition of nuts for some crunch!
Lydia says
Who doesn’t love Miracle Whip?! Thanks for a great recipe. Chicken and grapes are so good together.
Meredith says
Love your blog!! This looks so yummy!
Kathleen Keene says
Use Beyond Meat, seitan, or garbanzo beans and leave the chickens out of this for a healthy, cruelty free sammich. 🙂
Nicole Johnson says
MMMMmmmmm. Chicken. Can I have extra chicken in mine? I’ve never been a fan of chicken salad, but this one I would definitely dig into. It looks fantastic!
Kate Sparks says
LOve this, but I use 1/2 mayo & 1/2 greek yogurt!