Mom's Best Recipes
Recipe

Spiced Simple Chicken Salad

A fruity, bright chicken salad with warm spices, crunchy celery, and a zippy citrus dressing. Weeknight easy, lunchbox friendly, and dangerously scoopable.

Author By Matt Campbell
4.8
A bowl of fruity chicken salad with grapes, celery, and toasted almonds, with a spoon and lemon wedges on a wooden table
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This is my kind of chicken salad: bright, a little sweet, gently spiced, and built for real life. It has juicy chicken, crunchy celery, pops of fruit, and a creamy dressing that tastes like it woke up and chose flavor.

The trick is a pinch of warm spice (curry powder plus a whisper of cinnamon) paired with lemon and a small spoonful of jam or honey. It is not trying to be fancy. It is just trying to make your Tuesday lunch feel like a win.

Serve it on toasted bread, tucked into lettuce cups, or eaten straight from the bowl while you “clean as you go” in the most optimistic way possible.

Chicken salad being mixed in a glass bowl with a spatula, showing chunks of chicken, grapes, and celery

Why It Works

  • Fruity and bright, not cloying: Grapes or apple add sweetness, while lemon and Dijon keep everything snappy.
  • Warm spice that behaves: Curry powder brings depth; a tiny pinch of cinnamon makes the fruit taste even fruitier.
  • Great texture: Chicken chunks, crisp celery, and optional toasted nuts keep every bite interesting.
  • Flexible and forgiving: Works with rotisserie chicken, leftover roasted chicken, or quickly poached breasts.

Pairs Well With

  • Tomato soup for the classic cozy combo

  • Buttery crackers or pita chips for snack plate energy

  • Simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette to keep it bright

  • Fresh fruit like oranges or berries for an easy lunchbox add-on

Storage Tips

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days. If you are adding nuts, store them separately and sprinkle on right before eating so they stay crunchy.

Keep it crisp: If making ahead for meal prep, stir in the celery right before serving, or reserve half to fold in later for maximum crunch.

Freezing: I do not recommend freezing. Mayo and yogurt based dressings tend to separate and get watery after thawing.

Common Questions

Can I make this without mayonnaise?

Yes. Use all Greek yogurt, or mash 1 ripe avocado with the lemon and salt. The flavor will be a little tangier and greener, in a good way.

Is this chicken salad spicy?

Not heat spicy. The “spiced” part is warm, aromatic spice from curry powder. If you want heat, add a pinch of cayenne or a few dashes of hot sauce.

What fruit works best?

Red grapes are the easiest win, but chopped apple, dried cranberries, or diced mango are great too. If using dried fruit, start small since it is sweeter.

How do I keep it from getting watery?

Dry the chicken well, use a thick Greek yogurt, and do not overdo the lemon. If it still loosens up after sitting, stir in a tablespoon more yogurt or mayo to tighten it.

What is the best chicken to use?

Rotisserie chicken is the fastest. For the cleanest flavor, use roasted or poached chicken breasts and let them cool before mixing so the dressing stays thick.

I started making versions of this when I realized most chicken salad lands in one of two camps: either bland and beige, or trying so hard it forgets to be lunch. This one hits the middle lane. It has that cozy deli vibe, but with a little brightness and a little chaos from the spice jar. The first time I added curry powder and grapes together, I paused mid-bite like, okay wow. This is staying in the rotation.