Chicken Salad with Fruit and Nuts

Fruity Chicken Salad is a unique chicken salad that has nuts, white raisins, dried cherries, and more. This is the perfect meat salad to enjoy for lunch to bring to work or even a light dinner.

Chicken salad with dried fruit in a croissant.

Chicken Salad with dried fruit is perfect for a light lunch!

Chicken salad with dried fruits is a scrumptious salad to enjoy when you want a salad that is more complex and has a little something extra. I have made variations of this salad for years now. I recently served this at two catering events and received rave reviews over this chicken salad with dried fruits. I have used either dry cherries or craisins in this recipe, both work equally well. What makes me decide between the two? It depends on which one is on sale.

Ingredients for Chicken Salad

This recipe for fruity chicken salad is made with a simple set of ingredients. White chicken meat, mayonnaise, nuts of your choice, dried fruit, celery, and seasonings. When you make food from these simple ingredients, your food tastes good from wholesome ingredients.

Chicken tenders are ideal for chicken salad

When I want to make a chicken salad extra special, I buy chicken tenders. Chicken tenders are white meat, and they are often sold as a part of the chicken breast. The tender is a portion on the underside of the breast, that can be easily pulled off in a strip. The chicken tender is equivalent of tenderloin in beef or pork. Meat has a short grain, and when shredded they break into small pieces, so they are perfect for chicken salad. Chicken tenders can be purchased as a specific cut of poultry.

Easy variations for chicken salad

Looking to make your chicken salad taste a bit different? Try some of these great ideas for adding a bit of flavor to your chicken salad. You can try any one of these suggestions.

  • A teaspoon of curry powder will add an unexpected flavor.
  • Add a tablespoon of minced shallots.
  • Add a teaspoon of dry Ranch salad dressing.
  • Add a teaspoon of seasoned salt.

Chicken salad in a croissant made with chicken breast, celery, nuts, and dried fruit.

Need more ideas for chicken salad? Try these chicken salad recipes.

Chicken Salad Chick Chicken Salad
Jason’s Deli Chicken Salad
Subway Orchard Chicken Salad

Chicken salad with dried fruit in a croissant.

Chicken Salad with Dried Fruit

Enjoy this wonderful chicken salad with dried fruit and nuts. 
5 from 3 votes
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chicken Recipes, Chicken Salad
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 375kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken breast s or 1 pound left over cooked chicken
  • 3 ribs celery sliced
  • 1 cup walnuts - pecans, and almonds also work well
  • 1/2 cup dried cherries or craisins
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise

Instructions

  • If you don't already have cooked chicken available, you can poach the poultry in water or chicken broth. Poach chicken breasts by placing in a pot, and covering with water or broth, cook over medium heat for approximately 30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked. Remove chicken from water, and when cool enough to touch shred the chicken breasts and place into a bowl.
  •  In a medium-sized bowl add sliced celery, nuts, dried fruit, and mayonnaise. Stir to combine the mixture well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Store in a covered container for up to 3 days before serving.

Notes

 In a medium-sized bowl add sliced celery, nuts, dried fruit, and mayonnaise. Stir to combine the mixture well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Store in a covered container for up to 3 days before serving. This Chicken Salad can be served on a bed of lettuce or served in fancy rolls, or even on plain bread. I personally love to serve this chicken salad with a nice bowl of soup. I don't think you can beat that soup and sandwich combination.

Nutrition

Calories: 375kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 224mg | Potassium: 417mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 485IU | Vitamin C: 1.8mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1.1mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Steves Market & Deli

    This sounds so tasty and refreshing. We’ve been known as that “Fruity” Chicken Salad Deli since 1996 in Brownwood. We build our chicken salad with grapes. This sounds like a great version to add to our lineup. Thanks for sharing and posting.

  2. Michele

    Mimi’s Cafe in Southern California had a Chicken salad made with celery and raisins and served on raisin bread. I LOVED it and I now make my own version of that sandwich here at home. I have made it with regular raisins, golden raisins and with craisins as well and have yet to be disappointed. It makes for a wonderful combination. Great made with leftover turkey as well!

  3. Damaris @Kitchen Corners

    I am a huge fan of Chicken salad and I usually make it with grapes. I’ll have to try your dried fruit recipe.

    I came to your blog because I was just watching the BlogHer session on SEO on wmbly and wanted to thank you. Thank you for all the useful information you provided. Super helpful. I’m off to check out market samurai but wanted to drop by and sau hi first.

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