This is the Best Chicken Salad EVER! Perfect for summer picnics, festive lunches and anytime in between!

I love a great sandwich, especially when it’s more than just turkey and cheese. You have to try these other tried and true sandwiches, Egg Salad, Grilled Cheese, and French Dip, definitely something special!

The Best Chicken Salad

This Chicken Salad is truly divine. At first glance you might balk at the grapes, but trust me, they make the salad exquisite. The sweet crunch of the grapes combines beautifully with the chicken and richness of the mayo. The celery and pecans create nice crunch to the chicken salad that elevates it to the next level.

I love using this for picnics and special lunches. It is so easy to make but it is so fancy at the same time. Chicken Salad comes together in a flash so you can have this on the table in no time. And you will love how it is so versatile as well, serve it as a wrap, on a croissant, on some rye bread, or in a lettuce bowl. However you serve it, just make it! You are going to love it, it is so divine!

What You Need For Ultimate Chicken Salad Recipe

Simple and fresh, this chicken salad will come together quickly. Cook your chicken ahead of time or purchase an already cooked chicken to save on time. This chicken salad will become a favorite to make! The total amounts of ingredients is located in the recipe card.

  • Cooked Chicken: chopped or shredded chicken is best.
  • Grapes: I used red grapes, they are a bit sweeter than green. Slice in half or cut into cubes.
  • Pecans: You can purchase chopped pecans for this salad.
  • Green onions: I like to finely chop the green onions for a bit of a kick in each bite.
  • Celery: Finely diced using a knife or a shredder.
  • Mayonnaise: Do not use salad dressing, it will alter the taste.
  • Juice from ½ lemon: Yes, you can use bottled.
  • Dijon Mustard: Adds the perfect amount of zippy flavor to this chicken salad.
  • Salt and pepper: Add to taste!

How To Make Quick and Easy Chicken Salad

Letting this sit in the fridge for a bit, helps meld the flavors together. Shoot for at least an hour. In a medium sized bowl combine the chicken, grapes, pecans, green onions, celery, mayonnaise, lemon, and mustard. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve with croissants, romaine, or with crackers. This chicken salad is always so fun for everyone to make their own sandwich or add it on top of green lettuce.

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Tips and Variations For The Best Chicken Salad

Crunchy, savory, sweet, and a bit creamy chicken salad is the perfect dish.

  • Chicken: Use any type of chicken you have on hand. You can use rotisserie, leftover BBQ, roasted, or even broiled chicken. Whatever you use, chop it up or shred it so it is easy to spread, spoon, and eat.
  • Grapes: You can use red or green grapes or a combination of both. Green grapes can be a bit tart sometimes and the red grapes add color.
  • Nuts: Pecans are a classic but you can substitute them for walnuts, almonds, or cashews. Roast them for a bit of extra flavor.
  • Mayonnaise: If you are not a fan of mayo, you can use sour cream or non-fat Greek yogurt.
  • Different Fruit: Try chopped apples or dried cranberries.

What to Serve with Chicken Salad Sandwich

There are a few ways to present this amazing chicken salad. Spread it on a flakey croissant, (the best way), serve with ritz crackers and a vegetable tray, or serve in lettuce cups for a low carb option. Salty potato chips, in my opinion, are a must, but there are other options that will still make a satisfying meal, whether it’s lunch or dinner. Serve with a wonderful cup of soup, some fruit, and vegetables with this incredible dip and you’ve got it made!

Can You Store Cold Chicken Salad Recipe

  • Make-Ahead: I enjoy this even more after it has sat in the fridge for a bit, so it’s perfect for making it ahead.
  • Store: Keep this in the fridge tightly covered for up to 4 days.

More Chicken Recipes to Love

Chicken is a fabulous protein to have, it is versatile, full of good nutrients, and low fat. It is relatively easy to cook, and because of its mild flavor, goes with just about every combination of spices, herbs, and sauces. I always have chicken on hand for quick dinners, which can be fancy or down-home good. Chicken can be air-fried, grilled, sauteed, baked, or roasted. You can stuff it, chop it and shred it. Add whatever flavors you desire and you have a winner-winner chicken dinner on your hands. Here are the best to get you started.



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Spicy Paprika & Lime Chicken Tenderloins

These Spicy Paprika and Lime Grilled Chicken Tenderloins are a great addition to your BBQ repertoire. Take your taste buds to the Caribbean, Mexico or Spain on a little holiday! Can be cooked outdoors or on a stove. Paleo, Whole30, Keto, gluten-free.

 

Paprika & Lime Grilled Chicken Tenderloins

Whether you’re heating up the BBQ on a warm summer’s day or you need to give your skillet a bit of a workout, this is a fabulous chicken recipe that I know you will love.

My paprika lime chicken tenderloins are tender and juicy. The spices and citrus used in the marinade will take your taste buds on a little holiday to the Caribbean, Mexico or Spain – your pick!

I used chicken tenderloins because I find the meat more tender than the rest of the chicken breast and it’s easier to work with than the chicken thighs. You can use any chicken meat you like, just adjust the cooking time depending on the size of the pieces. This marinade will also work well with turkey, pork, quail, prawns and even beef.

What Are Chicken Tenderloins?

Still confused about what chicken tenderloins are? They are short, thin cuts taken from beneath the breast of the bird. You might find that some grocers will sell thinner slices of breast meat and call it chicken tenderloins or tender. They tend to be softer than chicken breast when cooked BUT should not be overcooked, they don’t need as long as the chicken breast.  

Nutritionally speaking, they are the same as chicken breast meat – high in protein, minerals, low in calories and fat. 

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Make-Ahead Tip For Paprika Lime Chicken

The chicken tenderloins can be marinated ahead of time for an even more robust flavour; keep uncooked in the fridge for maximum of 3 days and freeze for up to 2 months and simply defrost overnight in the fridge before you want to use it.

 

More Delicious Chicken Recipes:

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Description

Grilled paprika and lime grilled chicken tenderloins are great with any side dish and can be used in salads, tacos, and wraps. Can be cooked outdoors or on a stove.

  1. Mix the marinade ingredients in a large bowl. Rinse the chicken and cut larger pieces in half.
  2. Using your hands, rub the chicken with the marinade. Leave in the bowl, wrap with cling wrap and set aside in the fridge for at least one hour before grilling.
  3. If using a grill plate or a skillet on your stove, heat one teaspoon of coconut oil until sizzling hot. Fry the chicken pieces for 4 minutes on each side and then remove to a plate to rest. Make sure not to overcrowd the frying pan or you will end up with too much meat juice and stewed rather than grilled chicken.
  4. If using a BBQ, heat the plate to sizzling hot and either spray with olive oil or brush with coconut oil. Place chicken pieces on the plate with a little space in between and cook for 4 minutes on each side on medium/high heat with the lid on.
  5. Remove cooked chicken to a serving plate and drizzle with lime juice before serving.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2-3 tenderloins
  • Calories: 331
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 783.6 mg
  • Fat: 16.4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 4.4 g
  • Fiber: 1.3 g
  • Protein: 41.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 131.4 mg

Keywords: Tenderloins, Chicken, Paprika, Lime, BBQ, Grilling, Low-Carb, Paleo, Whole30

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Nutrition Facts

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  • Sodium N/A
  • Total Carbohydrates N/A
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Author

Hi, I'm Alex!

I love sharing easy, healthy, and family-friendly recipes that anyone can make at home.