This Curry Chicken Salad with Grapes is creamy, flavorful, and easy to prepare with cooked chicken, juicy grapes, crunchy celery, fresh herbs, and warm spices.
Jump to:
Instead of mayonnaise, this recipe uses Greek yogurt or an unsweetened dairy-free yogurt for a lighter, slightly tangy dressing. Serve it over lettuce, in a sandwich, or wrapped in your favorite tortilla for an easy lunch.
Why You'll Love This Curry Chicken Salad
This chicken salad is packed with a delicious combination of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors.
The curry powder and garam masala add warmth, while the grapes provide a little natural sweetness. Fresh ginger, garlic, turmeric, lime, and parsley make the salad taste bright and flavorful.
It is also a great way to use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken.
What to Serve with Curry Chicken Salad
There are several easy ways to enjoy this Curry Chicken Salad with Grapes.
In a sandwich
Spoon the chicken salad between slices of your favorite bread. For a gluten-free or paleo option, use a bread that fits your dietary needs.
In a wrap
Roll the chicken salad in a tortilla or your favorite gluten-free wrap.
In lettuce wraps
Butter lettuce works especially well because the leaves are soft, wide, and easy to fold. You can also add sliced tomatoes or extra vegetables.
Over greens
Serve the chicken salad over a bed of lettuce for a light lunch or dinner.
You can also eat it straight from the bowl with a fork!
What Kind of Yogurt Should I Use?
You can use plain Greek yogurt or an unsweetened dairy-free yogurt in this recipe.
For a paleo-friendly option, look for an unsweetened coconut, cashew, or other dairy-free yogurt made with ingredients that fit your diet.
Some possible options include
- Lavva Yogurt (all are paleo other than the vanilla flavor)
- GT's CocoYo Living Coconut Yogurt (Pure version)
- Kite Hill Plain Unsweetened Yogurt
- Forager Project Unsweetened Plain Cashewgurt
Avoid sweetened or flavored yogurt because it will change the flavor of the chicken salad.
Ingredients
You will need:
- 1½ pounds cooked chicken breast, cubed
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt or unsweetened dairy-free yogurt
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3-inch piece fresh ginger, finely grated
- 1-inch piece fresh turmeric, finely grated
- 2-3 celery ribs, chopped
- ¼ red onion, chopped
- 1 cup green grapes, halved
- Zest and juice of 1 lime
- ⅛ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, for garnish
How to Make Curry Chicken Salad with Grapes
1. Combine the vegetables and aromatics
Add the chopped red onion, celery, garlic, ginger, and turmeric to a medium mixing bowl. Stir to combine.
2. Add the grapes and seasonings
Add the halved grapes, curry powder, garam masala, and lime zest. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
3. Add the chicken
Add the cubed cooked chicken and gently stir until everything is evenly combined.
4. Add the yogurt
Add the yogurt, lime juice, and chopped parsley. Gently stir until the chicken and other ingredients are coated in the dressing.
5. Let the flavors develop
Allow the chicken salad to rest for at least 15-20 minutes before serving.
Sprinkle smoked paprika over the top for garnish.
Helpful Tips
Use leftover grilled or baked chicken to make this recipe especially quick. Rotisserie chicken also works well.
Prepare an extra chicken breast when grilling or cooking dinner, then use it to make this salad the following day.
Be sure to use plain, unsweetened yogurt. Sweetened or flavored varieties will not work well with the savory curry seasonings.
Letting the salad sit for 15-20 minutes gives the spices, lime, garlic, and herbs time to blend together.
Curry Chicken Salad with Grapes Recipe
This Curry Chicken Salad with Grapes is creamy, flavorful, and filled with tender chicken, juicy grapes, crunchy celery, warm curry spices, fresh ginger, turmeric, and lime.
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds cooked chicken breast, cubed
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt or unsweetened dairy-free yogurt
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3-inch piece fresh ginger, finely grated
- 1-inch piece fresh turmeric, finely grated
- 2–3 celery ribs, chopped
- ¼ red onion, chopped
- 1 cup green grapes, halved
- Zest and juice of 1 lime
- ⅛ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, for garnish
Instructions
- Add the red onion, celery, garlic, ginger, and turmeric to a medium mixing bowl. Stir to combine.
- Add the grapes, curry powder, garam masala, and lime zest. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Add the cubed chicken and gently stir to combine.
- Add the yogurt, lime juice, and parsley. Gently stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Let the chicken salad rest for at least 15–20 minutes so the flavors can blend.
- Sprinkle with smoked paprika and serve.
Notes
- Use cooked, cooled chicken breast or rotisserie chicken.
- Plain Greek yogurt works well, or use an unsweetened coconut or cashew yogurt for a dairy-free or paleo-friendly option.
- Avoid flavored or sweetened yogurt, which will make the salad too sweet.
- Let the chicken salad rest for 15–20 minutes before serving so the curry, lime, ginger, and other flavors can blend.
- Serve it in sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups, or over a bed of greens.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 256Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 97mgSodium: 104mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 2gSugar: 8gProtein: 41g
The nutrition information for this recipe is an approximate total per serving. Please double check the nutrition information for your exact ingredients and brands for more precise nutrition information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes. Rotisserie chicken is an easy shortcut for this recipe. Remove the skin and bones, then cut or shred the meat before adding it to the salad.
Can I make this without dairy?
Yes. Use a plain, unsweetened coconut, cashew, or other dairy-free yogurt instead of Greek yogurt.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
The ingredients used in the chicken salad are naturally gluten-free, but you should check the labels on your yogurt and spices if needed.
Serve it over greens, in lettuce wraps, or with gluten-free bread or wraps.
Can I make it paleo?
Use a paleo-friendly unsweetened yogurt and serve the chicken salad in lettuce wraps, over greens, or with paleo bread.
Can I use a different color of grapes?
Yes. Green grapes add a bright, sweet flavor, but you can use another seedless grape if that is what you have available.
More Delicious Chicken Recipes!
Looking for more ways to cook chicken? Try these easy chicken recipes, from creamy weeknight dinners and flavorful stir-fries to crispy gluten-free fried chicken.
Creamy Pesto Chicken with Tomatoes & Mushrooms
This Creamy Pesto Chicken is an easy, cozy dinner made with tender chicken, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and a rich pesto sauce.
Garlic Soy Sauce Chicken
This Garlic Soy Sauce Chicken is marinated in soy paste, garlic, and sugar, then pan-fried until golden, juicy, and full of savory flavor.
Mongolian Chicken
This Mongolian Chicken features marinated sliced chicken stir-fried with onions and green onions in a flavorful sauce. It comes together in about 25 minutes.
Almond Flour Fried Chicken
This Almond Flour Fried Chicken is crispy, flavorful, and pan-fried instead of deep-fried. It is also paleo, keto, low carb, and gluten-free.
Pin for later!
Donny says
I've never seen a chicken salad packed with so much flavor! This is amazing.
Jean Choi says
This curry chicken salad is so flavorful! I love the natural sweetness of the grapes.
Tessa Simpson says
Love your flavor additions here! So many delicious spices!