I’m a sentimental romantic. So you’ll have to indulge me for a moment.
One of my favorite movies of all time is the Megan Follows version of Anne of Green Gables and its sequel. Would it be too dramatic to say that growing up, those movies helped shape who I am? Yes, that’s pretty dramatic. But in some small but meaningful ways I believe they did.
As I was making this chicken salad a line from the movie came to mind. (That’s what happens when you have the entire dialogue of the movie memorized.) Diana and Anne are standing on the cliffside of scenic Prince Edward Island overlooking the ocean, the wind blowing in their hair, staring off into the sunset.
Diana says to Anne, “I wish I were rich and I could spend the whole summer at a hotel, eating ice cream and chicken salad.”
Anne responds thoughtfully, “You know something, Diana? We are rich. We have sixteen years to our credit, and we both have wonderful imaginations. We should be as happy as queens.”
Nodding at the setting sun over the ocean, Anne observes, “Look at that. You couldn’t enjoy its loveliness more if you had ropes of diamonds….I am happy Diana, and nothing is going to hold me back.”
Without a doubt, one of life’s simple but greatest pleasures is good food – food that’s thoughtfully prepared and shared with those you love.
So in celebration of Diana’s desire for good food, and in appreciation of Anne’s understanding that happiness is how you interpret it, here’s a delicious chicken salad you can enjoy with your family and friends!
This salad is wonderfully creamy without being overly wet, it isn’t too sweet or too tangy, and it incorporates the perfect balance of flavors. The sour cream adds a touch of freshness to offset the heaviness of the mayonnaise. Bite into and we’re confident you’ll be very happy indeed.
Use this chicken salad for sandwiches, croissants or in wraps. Or, for a low-carb option, serve it on top of a bed of salad leaves with some sliced tomatoes and avocado.
Let’s get started!
Place the diced chicken, celery, green onions and grapes in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine all remaining ingredients to make the sauce and stir to combine.
Scoop the mayo sauce over the chicken salad and stir to combine, making sure the chicken salad is thoroughly coated with the sauce.
Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving.
Enjoy!
Look no further, the flavor and texture of this chicken salad will have you coming back for more!
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts cooked in lightly salted water then chilled in the fridge and diced, about 4 cups (for the best texture, avoid canned chicken)
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 1/2 cups halved seedless red grapes
- 3 green onions chopped
- 1 cup mayonnaise for a healthier choice use Avocado Oil Mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Place the diced chicken, celery, green onions and grapes in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine.
- In a medium-sized bowl, add the remaining ingredients to make the sauce and stir to combine. Pour the mayo sauce over the chicken salad and stir to combine and thoroughly coat the salad.
- Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours before serving.
- Serve on sandwiches, croissants or in wraps with some lettuce. For a low-carb option, serve on a bed of lettuce with sliced tomato and avocado.
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Lora @savoringitaly says
I absolutely love that story! And it is so true that one of life’s simple but greatest pleasures is good food and sharing it with those you love…that’s what it should be all about:) This chicken salad looks delightful! I love that it’s not too sweet or too tangy. Perfect for a summer lunch or a chill summer dinner!!
christine says
I love those Anne of Green Gables movies too! I’m going to be watching them w/ my daughter soon; I’m hoping she will be interested in this “old” movie. Looks delicious and I love a sandwich on a croissant!
Kelly @ Nosh and Nourish says
I love sharing good food with friends and family too — and these chicken salad croissants would be perfect for a picnic!!!
The Food Hunter says
I love the grapes in this…I’ve never tried it that way
Sarah @ The Chef Next Door says
I love classic chicken salad too, especially on a croissant! Your pictures are beautiful and have me craving this now. I think it will be on my menu for lunch this weekend!
Krista says
What a great lunch option! This is calling my name for sure!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
My family loves chicken salad and I am loving the idea of serving it in a flaky croissant! So yummy!
Kim Beaulieu says
Megan Follows is a total icon. I love Anne of Green Gables so much. It was such an amazing show.
I love this recipe. I don’t make chicken salad enough. I need to change that immediately.
carrie @ frugal foodie mama says
You just cannot go wrong with a good classic chicken salad recipe. :) This looks delicious!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Love chicken salad! Will definitely have to try this!
Cathy @ Lemon Tree Dwelling says
Chicken salad is always a favorite and this one looks INSANELY delicious!
Anonymous says
I just love eating chicken salad one of my all time favorite dishes to eat next to pimento chees sandwiches. I’m always up to trying new recipes.I add to this it’s perfect meal or quick snack n healthy on hot days like these. Enjoy everyone.yum.
Joanie @ One Dish Kitchen says
I love chicken salad, especially on a croissant as you served it here. I also love the sweetness the grapes bring, totally delicious!
Candace Nielson says
We LOVE this chicken salad! I made it over the weekend for our family and some guests and everyone loved it and wanted seconds! Thanks for such a great recipe!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m so happy to hear that, Candace, thank you!
Barbara says
My family and I loved watching the Ann of Green Gables movies & in fact we just rewatched the one of Ann’s first meeting of her new family.
I made your Chicken Salad for visiting family last week and everyone raved about it and took the recipe with them when they left.
I serve so many of your recipes and have never had a failure. Thank you ever so much.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Barbara, I can’t tell you how thrilled to hear that, thank you so much! :)
olivia says
Love anne of green gables. Do you think green grapes is ok to use?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Olivia, absolutely. The red is recommended mostly based on color but you can use any variety you like.
Deborah Black says
Can you substitute black cherries for the grapes?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Deborah! Texture-wise, they’re softer and squishy – not firm and crispy like grapes – and they’ll probably dye the chicken salad red once you stir them in and they start bleeding out. Flavor-wise I think they’d make a nice substitute.
pavitra says
Wow, Its looking delicious. i love this recipe. I would try it by this weekend. Your recipes are superb. Thanks for sharing.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks so much, Pavitra!
Kayla says
I added 2 Tbsp Sweet Relish.. Delicious!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Kayla!
Nalo says
I absolutely love those movies. I remember watching it allday on PBS one Thanksgiving weekend and I fell in love. That following January my husband bought me the tapes for my birthday and the rest for Valentine’s. Later years I purchased them on DVD.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
They’re the best, Nalo! I practically have the entire dialogues to the movies memorized :)
Liz says
Try adding pecans to the salad.
Candy Ellis says
I make my chicken salad very similar, only instead of mayonnaise I use plain Greek yogurt and add more good fruit like Granny Smith Apples, pecans and dried cranberries.
The yogurt isn’t loaded with fat like mayonnaise and I like it better.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks for the input, Candy! I like to add pecans and cranberries as well during this time of year for a more holiday touch.
Kit says
Thank you for the recipe. We had leftover rotisserie chicken and I did not feel like eating reheated chicken. I followed most of the recipe, but had to use what was on hand, so the substitutions were as follows: Hampton Creek Just Mayo (Ingredients: Non-Gmo Expeller Pressed Canola Oil, Filtered Water, Lemon Juice, White Vinegar, 2% Or Less Of The Following: Organic Sugar, Salt, Pea Protein, Spices…). Skipped the sour cream due to dairy allergy. I did not have any lemons so I added 2 tablespoons pickle relish and 1 tablespoon of Mr. Wickles Red sandwich spread (this last one at husband’s request). Served it on home-made herb bread with spinach, sliced tomatoes and an onion ring. It was delicious!!! My husband is a 50 year old American male, and he said IT WAS THE BEST CHICKEN SALAD sandwich he ever had!!! Again, thank you!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Kit, thanks so much for the feedback!
Mona Gibbs says
Best chicken salad recipe ever! Stumbled across it one day while looking for a good chicken salad recipe. And then when I read your sweet affection for Anne of Green Gables, that just made it even better. We LOVE Anne of Green Gables. Thank you for the recipe and the sweet thoughts concerning Anne and Diana!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks so much, Mona, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
Melissa says
Yum! This salad hit the spot! My husband happened to have a rare weekday off today. I was busy with the normal day to day stuff when he asked what’s for lunch? I usually eat a salad or lean cuisine, and he wasn’t having that. Came across this recipe, so decided to make it with some changes. I had to use canned chicken (I know I know!) and chopping a granny smith apple as I didnt have any grapes. I also added a handful of sliced almonds. Didn’t have time to let it merry the full 4 hrs (about 30 mins bc “I’m starving” was bugging me LOL), but nontheless it was delicious. Served it in lettuce wraps. The flavors were amazing!! I can’t wait to make this again using poached chickn.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Melissa, thanks so much for sharing!
Rita says
Thanks for sharing this. One question…what type of parsley did you use, Italian or Flat?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Rita, either can be used. Flat parsley generally has a more robust flavor than curly, so it largely comes down to personal preference.
Natalie Loftus says
Hands down the best chicken salad I’ve had! I followed the recipe exactly and the ratio of ingredients is perfect. This is my go-to from now on!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m so happy to hear that, Natalie, thank you!
Nalo Frazier says
This is sooooooo good my taste buds are dancing. I added a little sweet relish and used bone in breast but took the skin off after cooking and removed the bone of course. So happy I tried this recipe.😙😙😙
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Awesome, Nalo, I’m so glad to hear that, thank you!
Elisha H. says
Absolutely LOVE Anne of Green Gables!!! I have not made this recipe yet but I will do so – minus the grapes – and watch Anne in your honor. 🙂🙂
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Awesome! :) I hope you enjoy the salad, Elisha, and have fun watching the show! :)
Anonymous says
Anne of Green Gables is our families favorite,I’ve already shared the movie with my young daughters, they know every line. :-)
Cami Weyland says
THE BEST CHICKEN SALAD EVER!! I’ve made this at least half a dozen times and it’s a bit hit every time, everyone always asks for the recipe. I just wanted to say thank you!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m so happy to hear that, Cami, thanks so much and Happy 4th of July!