Chicken Salad Chick Grape Salad Recipe

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You are going to love this Chicken Salad Chick Grape Salad. It is a fantastic copycat of the famous Chicken Salad Chick’s Grape Salad.

Close up picture of grape salad in a small serving bowl, garnished with brown sugar and chopped pecans. A couple of whole pecans in the corner of the bowl. There are more bowls of grape salad in the background and some gold forks.

Chicken Salad Chick’s grape salad recipe is a delightful combination of sweet and creamy flavors. Juicy grapes are wrapped in a rich cream cheese and sour cream dressing and topped with brown sugar and pecans.

I recently brought this recipe to a potluck and it was devoured! Everyone was raving about it. It’s creamy and sweet with a bit of crunch. Don’t let the word “salad” fool you– this is dessert! One of the gentlemen at my table was trying to convince us all that it was healthy because it had grapes in it and was a ‘salad’. 🤣

Hey- no judgement here! Whatever you call it, it is for sure DELICIOUS! This recipe is the perfect refreshingly sweet and simple side dish for the next time you bring a dish to a backyard BBQ, bridal or baby shower, or any family gathering.

But, if you are looking for something cold, creamy and delicious that IS healthier, don’t miss my Frozen Yogurt Bark, this has been another one on repeat.

Why you’ll love this recipe:

Classic Grape Salad is so easy to make and hits the spot on a warm day.
With homemade ingredients, the creamy dressing has no added ingredients or preservatives!
Make it ahead so you are ready to go with a fresh salad in hand.

This salad recipe goes perfectly with savory grilled meats like my Savory Grilled Chicken or Grilled Balsamic Pork Chops. And, of course, you can always serve it with the Perfect Grilled Burgers.

Ingredient Notes

Cream Cheese- Regular or 1/3 less fat works just fine here.
Sour Cream- I love the Daisy brand, or anything natural without added ingredients.
Sugar- I used plain white granulated sugar. Sugar in the raw works too.
Vanilla extract– adds flavor and who doesn’t love vanilla?
Green and Red Grapes- use seedless. I use red and green for color, but it can be made with just red or just green grapes as well. Pick firm grapes without bruises.
Brown Sugar- I use light brown sugar, dark brown is fine. It adds a pretty garnish with some texture.
Pecans- You can purchase whole pecans and roughly chop them yourself, or buy the ones already chopped in the baking aisle.

I’m relatively new to Chicken Salad Chick. I had it in Tennessee last month and I wish they were here! They are known for their delicious chicken salad (of course), pimento cheese, egg salads, garden salads, and so much more. I loved their Broccoli Salad and make that at home too!

How to Make Chicken Salad Chick Grape Salad

Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list in the recipe card below.

Two image collage showing the steps on how to make grape salad. 1- mix the dressing ingredients together; 2- combine the dressing with the grapes.

Add the softened cream cheese, sour cream, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl, and beat with a hand mixer or stand mixer until smooth.
Place the grapes in a large mixing bowl, add the cream cheese mixture, and gently stir with a rubber spatula until all the grapes are covered. Cover the bowl, chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Transfer the creamy grape salad recipe to a serving bowl before serving, and sprinkle the top with brown sugar and chopped pecans.

Large white bowl of Grape Salad, garnished with brown sugar and chopped pecans. Serving bowls and spoon are off to the side. A scoop of brown sugar and a scoop of pecans are also near the serving bowl.

Tips & Tricks

Before you start, give the grapes a good rinse and pat them dry with a paper towel so they do not add water to the recipe.
Use softened cream cheese so blending with the other ingredients is easy.
Forget to take the cream cheese out? No problem. Unwrap it from the packaging, place on a microwaveable plate, heat in the microwave for 8 seconds. Flip the cheese over, and heat for 8 more seconds. Repeat if necessary. You don’t want to melt it, just soften it to room temp.
Toasted coconut flakes are a tasty addition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use different nuts?

Yes! Walnuts are a great variation, sliced almonds (or even chopped) would also work nicely.

Can I make grape salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can make grape salad ahead of time. However, it’s best to add the brown sugar and nuts just before serving to maintain their texture.

Can I freeze grape salad?

It’s not recommended to freeze grape salad, as the texture of the grapes and the dressing will change significantly upon thawing, resulting in a less desirable consistency.

3 bowls of Chicken Salad Chick Grape Salad on. a round white platter with a few grapes scattered about. Large bowl of grape salad, scoop of brown sugar and a scoop of pecans are off to the side.

Level Up: Toasting Nuts

For added depth of flavor, consider toasting the pecans. It really brings out the flavor!
Oven Method: Place nuts spread out on a baking sheet in a 300° oven, toast for 5-7 minutes. watch closely! Immediately transfer to a plate.
Stovetop Method: In a small skillet, heat the nuts over medium heat, stirring frequently until toasted, about 5-7 minutes. They are done when that lovely toasty fragrance is achieved. Immediately transfer to a plate. watch closely!

Storing

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The pecans will soften, and the brown sugar will melt into the salad, but it still tastes great!

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