Chicken Salad with Grapes and Greek Yogurt
Developed and tested by Robyn Conley Downs
on Sep 1, 2025 (last updated Mar 31, 2026) 
My chicken salad with grapes uses Greek yogurt for a lighter base that’s just as satisfying. Creamy and tangy with bursts of juicy grapes, with crunch from toasted almonds, it comes together fast with cooked or rotisserie chicken and works just as well for meal prep as it does for an easy weeknight dinner.
Easy Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt and Grapes
Chicken salad is a classic for a reason with creamy dressing, crunchy vegetables, juicy fruit, and tender chicken all mingling together in one bowl. My version keeps those traditional elements but adds a lighter, fresher touch: a creamy base of Greek yogurt, a touch of mayo, and Dijon for tang; celery and red onion for crunch; grapes for sweetness; and almonds for nutty richness.
It has the nostalgic flavor and texture you expect, with perfect little moments of freshness that keep every bite interesting. The balance of tangy, savory, and sweet makes it both satisfying and lighter than heavier mayo-heavy versions. As always, I created this chicken salad recipe with everyday ease in mind. Rotisserie chicken means there’s no extra cooking, and the only prep is chopping grapes, celery, and onion. The dressing mixes right in the bowl (no extra dishes = winning), and everything comes together in minutes.
It’s a make-ahead dream, as the flavors actually improve after a rest in the fridge, and it’s endlessly flexible, with easy swaps like apples for grapes or pecans for almonds. I love that it feels comforting but not heavy, the kind of protein-packed dish that works for busy weekday lunches, dinner served with greens, or tucked into sandwiches or lettuce cups ( a lot like my cranberry walnut chicken salad), which are both on heavy rotation over here for make ahead lunches or easy dinners! And for a different take on creamy chicken salad, my pickle chicken salad uses the same less-mayo approach with a tangy dill pickle twist.
Welcome to My Kitchen, Let’s Make Chicken Salad with Grapes
Testing Tips for Creamy Chicken Salad
- I recommend halving your grapes and dicing your celery small, so each bite feels balanced and so you don’t feel like you’re crunching on a veggie tray.
- In testing I found that salted toasted almonds (store-bought) gave the best flavor and saved time. Of course, if you want to roast your own, go for it!
- I like this straight out of the bowl (yes, I’ve been known to eat it straight from the bowl), but honestly it’s even better after 30 minutes in the fridge or even longer.
Chicken Salad with Grapes and Greek Yogurt
Ingredients
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved
- 1 cup celery, small diced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken, such as from a rotisserie chicken
- ¼ cup sliced toasted almonds
Equipment
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Make the Salad: To the same bowl, add the grapes, celery, and red onion, stirring to combine. Add the chicken and almonds, and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Taste and Chill: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes or overnight for the flavors to combine.
Notes
- Yogurt: I’ve tested this with both whole milk and low-fat Greek yogurt. The whole milk version adds a little extra richness, while the low-fat gives you a lighter texture and a bit more protein. Both work great, so just go with whatever you have or prefer. Nutrition information calculated with low-fat.
- Mayo: Feel free to adjust the yogurt-to-mayo ratio depending on your preferences. More yogurt for a lighter feel, more mayo if you want it extra creamy.
So easy and delicious!
Yay, so happy to hear you enjoyed Ilana, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and for leaving a review!
This was so good! I’ve been trying to get more protein and fruits and vegetables.
Amanda, yay, so happy to hear you enjoyed this one – especially as a way to get more protein + fruit and veggies! Thanks so much for your thoughts and for leaving a review!
Loved it! Easy to make, very tasty, great weeknight meal that will make an awesome lunch the next few days. Thank you!
Jodi, I love that you’re doing these salads as dinner and then leftovers for lunch – so smart! Thanks for your thoughts and for sharing your review!
Another delicious, quick, weeknight meal that ends up with great leftovers for lunch for a few days. This was light and yummy. So easy to make with precooked Costco rotisserie chicken. Love this one. I switched the almonds for chopped walnuts and loved the flavor combo. Will make this one on repeat for sure.
Jodi, oh yum, I’ll have to try this with walnuts next time, thanks for the tip! So happy to hear this one was a hit (perfect lunch leftovers!) – thanks for sharing your thoughts and leaving a review!