Chicken Salad with Pecans (Print)

Tender chicken combined with toasted pecans, celery, and a tangy dressing for a fresh, crunchy dish.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded

→ Vegetables & Fresh Herbs

02 - 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
03 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

→ Nuts & Fruit

05 - ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped
06 - ½ cup seedless red grapes, halved (optional)

→ Dressing

07 - ⅓ cup mayonnaise
08 - 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
11 - ½ teaspoon salt
12 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

# How to Make:

01 - Heat a dry skillet over medium heat, toast pecans for 3–4 minutes stirring frequently until fragrant. Remove from heat and cool.
02 - In a large bowl, mix cooked chicken, celery, green onions, parsley, grapes if using, and the cooled pecans.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
04 - Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and gently toss to coat evenly.
05 - Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
06 - Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve on greens, in sandwiches, or with crackers.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The toasted pecans add a buttery crunch that makes every bite feel special, not boring.
  • Greek yogurt lightens the dressing without sacrificing creaminess, so you don't feel heavy afterward.
  • It comes together in under half an hour and tastes better the next day when the flavors get to know each other.
02 -
  • Don't skip toasting the pecans—raw pecans taste dusty and forgettable, but toasted ones become the whole point.
  • Use Greek yogurt alongside the mayo rather than instead of it; all yogurt makes the texture thin and the salad tastes more diet-conscious than delicious.
  • Make it a few hours ahead or the night before if you can; it tastes significantly better when the flavors have time to get comfortable together.
03 -
  • If you're short on time, buy a rotisserie chicken and shred it while it's still warm—it tears apart more easily and you'll feel like you made something from scratch even though you didn't.
  • Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the finished salad just before serving if it's been sitting for a while; it refreshes everything and brings back brightness.

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