Today I am sharing my very favorite go-to chicken salad recipe. This gluten free curry chicken salad with grapes recipe is a take from a chicken salad I bought at Whole Foods many years ago. This salad makes the perfect gluten free curry chicken salad sandwich!!
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(*This post was sponsored by Franz Gluten Free Breads. All opinions are my own.)
I discovered this Whole Foods curry chicken salad many years ago while living in Austin, Texas. I worked near a Whole Foods Market, and this was a salad they often had in their prepared meal section. It was the perfect lunch on the go.
This chicken salad recipe hits all of the criteria on my list: it is quick and easy to make, made with wholesome ingredients and tastes great. This gluten free chicken salad is one of the best chicken salad recipes!
If you love chicken as much as we do, don't forget to check out my best gluten free chicken recipes!
One of the things I love about Franz gluten free bread is that it is shelf-stable until you open it. They use a special vacuum sealing to protect the bread and keep it fresh without needing to be frozen.
I have been working with Franz Bakery for over a year, creating many delicious gluten-free recipes for all their gluten-free bread varieties. If you love soft gluten free bread that tastes just like regular bread (the ones you ate before you had to go gluten free), you are going to LOVE Franz bread!!
Take this on a picnic, for lunch, or pack it in a school lunchbox. Everyone will love the flavors in every bite!
Why This Recipe Is Great:
- Portable: Take this delicious curry chicken salad to cookouts, picnics, and potlucks. It is delicious packed in a lunchbox!
- Flavorful: Curry chicken salad has a unique and delicious, slightly sweet flavor that combines curry's warm, aromatic spices with tender, juicy chicken and grapes.
- Versatile: Curry chicken salad can be enjoyed in many different ways - on its own as a main dish, in a sandwich or wrap, or as a side dish with gluten free crackers or bread.
- Easy to make: My curry chicken salad is relatively easy to make and can be prepared in advance, making it a convenient option for busy individuals or families. You can make it in under 15 minutes.
- Allergy Friendly: This gluten free chicken salad can be made dairy-free using plant-based mayonnaise.
Ingredient Notes:
- Chicken - Grill chicken breasts or use leftover grilled chicken or uncooked chicken. If you made my grandma's homemade chicken soup, you could use some leftover chicken from this soup.
- Grapes - I like to use black or purple grapes, but any color of grapes will taste great.
- Cucumber - I used Persian cucumbers, but regular cucumbers also work well.
- Scallions -
- Mayonnaise - You can use regular or vegan mayo.
- Apple Cider Vinegar - This adds a nice tangy flavor to the salad.
- Pecans - Use raw unsalted pecans.
- Curry Powder
- Salt and Pepper to taste.
Substitutions:
- Substitute red onion for the scallions.
- Use a different type of nuts.
- You can also add raisins for additional sweetness.
- Add other vegetables like diced celery and carrots.
I always recommend mixing any batter by hand. That means don't use a stand mixer. Mixing by hand means your baked goods will turn out light and fluffy. Mixing by hand can be a pain, but using these bowls with rubber bottoms makes it easier. They don't slide all over the counter while you mix your wet and dry ingredients together.
Recipe Step-By-Step Directions:
Step 1: Place the chicken on a cutting board and shred or cube the cooked chicken. You want the pieces to be bite-sized.
Add the chicken, black grapes, pecans, and scallions to a large
Step 2: Add the mayonnaise (or vegan mayonnaise), curry powder, and salt/pepper to the bowl. Mix well until all of the ingredients are coated.
🔑 Sandi says: Make sure your chicken is cooled before adding the curry dressing.
Step 3: Your salad is ready for eating, but for best results, I recommend refrigerating the salad for 15-30 minutes so the flavors absorb into the chicken.
Tips and Recipe FAQ:
You can definitely omit the curry powder in this recipe. If you do, you will want to add celery salt or something to give it additional flavor.
You can easily make this chicken salad a few days before your picnic or another event.
I would not freeze this chicken salad because it will make the consistency and flavor off, but you can freeze the chopped chicken, scallions, and grapes and then add the dressing when you defrost it.
Storage:
Store this chicken salad in an airtight container. This is important to prevent your salad from drying out. In your refrigerator, this chicken salad will stay fresh for 3-4 days.
More Recipes with Franz Bread:
- Gluten Free Blueberry French Toast Muffins - Featuring their gluten free blueberry bread.
- Gluten Free French Toast Cheesecake - Who says you can't have dessert for breakfast?
- Easy Ricotta and Strawberry Stuffed French Toast - Because it is that good!
- Roasted Acorn Squash Soup with Homemade Gluten Free Croutons - A creamy and delicious soup.
📖 Recipe
Quick and Easy Curry Chicken Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts * see note
- 1 cup grapes cut in half
- 2 Persian cucumbers chopped
- 2 scallions or onions
- ¼ cup raw pecans
- ½ cup mayonnaise or mayo substitute
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Fill a medium-sized pot halfway with water and add chicken breasts.
- Bring to boil and cook chicken until done about 10-15 minutes. (You can cut into the chicken to make sure it is done in the middle.
- When the chicken has cooled down, cut into bite-sized pieces and allow it to cool.
- Chop all vegetables and grapes.
- Put all vegetables, grapes, spices, and chicken into a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, mix mayo, vinegar, and spices. Mix well.
- Add dressing to the large bowl ingredients and toss to coat.
- Serve chilled
Notes
- I use chicken breasts in my recipe but feel free to use another cut of chicken or use leftover chicken. You can also use leftover chicken.
- Use green or purple grapes.
- This chicken salad will keep up to 4 days in an airtight container.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn't test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
This post was updated from an older January 2020 post with more recipe details.
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katie
This looks like a really yummy twist on chicken salad. I have been all about the curry lately too. It's honestly a flavor I haven't given much thought to in general, but lately, that seems to be all my pregnant body wants!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you so much Katie.