Pioneer Woman Chicken Salad is one of those chaotic-sounding things that just… works. Cold shredded chicken, grapes (yes, grapes), crunchy celery, creamy dressing — it sounds like a potluck gone rogue but it eats like a dream. Easy to meal prep. Budget-friendly if you already have half the stuff in your fridge. Can be a sandwich or straight-up fork food.

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Ingredients Needed

1 whole fryer chicken: boil or roast it, shred the meat. Rotisserie if you’re tired.
2–3 stalks celery: chopped small. Crunchy stuff.
3 green onions: for sharpness and a bit of green.
2–3 cups grapes (halved): red ones are sweeter, hold their shape better.
½ cup mayonnaise: creamy glue that holds it all together.
½ cup plain yogurt or sour cream: makes it tangy and not just mayo-heavy.
Juice of 1 lemon: balances the creaminess. Adds a little zing.
1–2 tbsp brown sugar: just enough to bring out the grapes and mellow the tang.
Kosher salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Small handful fresh dill, minced: optional. But good if you like herby vibes.
Cayenne pepper, to taste: don’t skip unless you hate a little kick.
½ cup slivered almonds: for crunch. Toasted = extra flavour.

How To Make Pioneer Woman Chicken Salad

Cook the Chicken:
Boil the whole chicken in salted water. Let it do its thing for 45 mins to an hour — you want it fall-apart tender. Let it cool slightly, then shred it with forks or fingers. It’s not cute, but it works.

Mix the Salad Base:
In a big bowl, throw in the chicken, celery, green onions, and grapes. You’ll doubt the grapes. It’s fine. Keep going.

Make the Dressing:
Whisk together mayo, yogurt (or sour cream), lemon juice, brown sugar, salt, pepper, dill, and a little cayenne. Taste it. Adjust it. That dressing should make your eyebrows raise a bit.

Combine + Finish:
Pour the dressing over the chicken mix and gently fold it in. Add the slivered almonds last so they don’t go soggy. Cover it, chill for at least 2 hours, and try not to eat half of it while “taste testing.”

Recipe Tips

Don’t skip the lemon. Seriously — it cuts the fat and makes the whole thing brighter.

Use a mix of mayo + yogurt to balance flavour and texture.

Add almonds just before serving if storing overnight.

Chilling is mandatory. It tastes weird warm.

How to Store & Reheat

Room Temperature: No more than 1 hour — mayo danger zone.
Fridge: Store in airtight container, 3–4 days max.
Freezer: Nope. Grapes + mayo don’t freeze well.

Nutrition Facts (Approx. per serving)

Calories: 370
Sodium: 410mg
Protein: 27g
Fat: 24g
Carbs: 12g
Fibre: 1g
Sugar: 8g

FAQs

Can I use just chicken breast?
Yeah, it’ll be a bit drier. Add extra yogurt or a splash of broth if needed.

What if I hate grapes?
Use diced apples, dried cranberries, or skip entirely. But like… the grapes are good.

Is this gluten-free?
As long as your mayo and yogurt are GF, yes.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes — and you should. The flavours blend better overnight.

Do I have to use fresh dill?
Nope. Use dried or none at all. Parsley’s a good backup.