Curried Chicken Salad with Grapes and Cashews

This Curried Chicken Salad with Grapes and Cashews combines tender chicken, sweet grapes, crunchy celery, and roasted cashews in a creamy curry dressing that is both comforting and refreshing. Perfect for meal prep, picnics, and easy lunches, this flavorful chicken salad comes together in minutes and makes an unforgettable sandwich filling. 

I've been making some version of this Curried Chicken Salad with Grapes and Cashews since my college days. Looking back, I'm fairly certain the person who first taught me this recipe was MaryJane Homewood from Arizona. We met while attending BYU in Provo, Utah, and somehow this simple chicken salad became one of the recipes that followed me into adulthood. If MaryJane ever happens to find this little corner of the internet, thank you. I've thought of you every time I've made it.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS CURRIED CHICKEN SALAD WITH GRAPES AND CASHEWS

Sweet grapes, crunchy cashews, and warm curry spices create a beautiful balance of flavor and texture in every bite. Whether you're making a quick lunch or a satisfying Curry Chicken Salad Sandwich for guests, this recipe delivers big flavor with very little effort. 

Perfect Occasions:

• Meal prep lunches 
• Bridal and baby showers 
• Picnics 
• Outdoor concerts 
• Potlucks 
• Brunch gatherings 
• Road trips 
• Easy weeknight dinners 
• Back-to-school lunches 

INGREDIENTS FOR THIS CURRIED CHICKEN SALAD WITH GRAPES AND CASHEWS

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how it transforms simple grocery store ingredients into something that feels special. It is the kind of lunch that tastes like you spent much more time in the kitchen than you actually did.

• Chicken Breast: Tender chicken provides the hearty foundation of the salad and delivers a satisfying source of lean protein. Rotisserie chicken adds extra flavor and convenience. 
• Celery: Celery contributes freshness and a crisp texture that balances the creamy dressing. The leaves add extra flavor and color. 
• Purple Grapes: Sweet grapes bring bursts of juicy flavor that contrast beautifully with the savory curry dressing. They also contribute antioxidants and natural sweetness. 
• Roasted Cashews: Cashews add rich buttery flavor and satisfying crunch. They also provide healthy fats and plant-based protein. 
• Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise creates the creamy base that brings all of the ingredients together. It gives the salad its smooth and luxurious texture. 
• Ground Yellow Curry Powder: Curry powder provides warmth, earthiness, and gentle spice. It is the signature ingredient that makes this salad memorable. 
• Honey: Honey softens the savory notes and balances the spices with a touch of natural sweetness. 
• Fresh Lime Juice: Lime juice brightens the entire salad and enhances the flavors of the grapes and curry powder. 
• Salt and Pepper: These simple seasonings help bring all of the flavors into balance and allow the ingredients to shine. 

HOW TO MAKE A CURRY CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICH

This is one of those recipes that gets even better after a short rest in the refrigerator. The flavors mingle together beautifully, creating a salad that tastes fresh, vibrant, and deeply satisfying.

Instructions

1. Make the Curry Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, curry powder, honey, and lime juice until smooth and creamy. 
2. Add the Chicken and Produce: Add the diced chicken, celery, grapes, and half of the chopped cashews. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated. 
3. Season to Taste: Taste the salad and season with salt and pepper as needed. The cashews and curry powder add plenty of flavor, so start lightly. 
4. Chill for Best Flavor: Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 to 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. 
5. Add the Remaining Cashews: Just before serving, stir in the remaining cashews to preserve their crunch. 
6. Serve and Enjoy: Spoon onto your favorite bread, croissants, wraps, lettuce cups, or crackers. Garnish with lettuce or microgreens if desired. 

Healthier Swaps -  For more protein and to make this more veggie forward, here are a few swaps:

• Use Greek Yogurt in place of mayonnaise
• Use Shredded Carrots in place of cashews
• Use lettuce as a wrap in place of bread

BUILD A BEAUTIFUL LUNCH AROUND THIS CHICKEN SALAD

If you're anything like me, one good recipe usually inspires the next. When I'm packing a picnic or setting out a casual brunch, I love serving this chicken salad with Homemade Pita Bread or a slice of my favorite Honey Molasses Brown Bread. If I want something fresh and vibrant on the side, Lemon Ricotta Orzo with Baby Peas is always a winner. And when summer produce is at its peak, Mediterranean Orzo Salad or Peach Burrata Prosciutto Salad turn a simple meal into something that feels a little special.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

• Large mixing bowl: glass or metal
• Measuring cups and spoons 
• Chef's knife – I can’t escape this knife it’s my favorite all application knife. 
• Cutting board 
• Citrus juicer or reamer 
• Rubber spatula or large spoon 
• Airtight storage container 
• Serving spoon 

WHEN THIS RECIPE SHINES!

This recipe is especially well suited to the fresh produce season when grapes, celery, and picnic-friendly meals are at their best, during the Spring, Summer, and Fall seasons. 

The cool, creamy texture and sweet-savory flavor profile make this recipe particularly appealing during warmer months when lighter meals are often preferred.

FEATURED FARMER: RILEY FAMILY FARMS

Every ingredient has a story, and behind many of the foods we enjoy are families who have dedicated their lives to caring for the land. Riley Family Farms is one of those stories. Built on generations of hard work, stewardship, and a deep respect for agriculture, the Riley family has spent years growing food while staying connected to the values that make family farming so important. Their farm reflects a commitment to quality, community, and the belief that good food begins long before it reaches our kitchens.

I love highlighting farms like Riley Family Farms because they remind us that food doesn't begin at the grocery store. It begins with people who rise early, work through every season, and invest their time and energy into growing something worth sharing. The next time you enjoy a meal made with fresh ingredients, take a moment to appreciate the farmers whose hands helped bring that food to your table.

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Curried Chicken Salad with Grapes and Cashews

This Curried Chicken Salad with Grapes and Cashews combines tender chicken, sweet grapes, crunchy celery, and roasted cashews in a creamy curry dressing. Perfect for sandwiches, wraps, picnics, and make-ahead lunches, print this easy recipe and keep it on hand whenever you're craving something fresh, flavorful, and satisfying.

Course Lunch, Salad Filling

Cuisine American, Fusion

Keyword Curried Chicken Salad with Grapes and Cashews, Curry Chicken Salad Sandwich

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Chill Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 508kcal

Ingredients

• 4 cups roasted chicken breast (24 oz / 680 g) diced
• 1 cup celery (3.5 oz / 100 g) chopped with leaves, about 3 stalks
• 1 cup seedless purple grapes (3.5 oz / 100 g) halved
• ½ cup salted roasted cashews (2.5 oz / 72 g) chopped
• 1 cup mayonnaise (8 oz / 226 g)
• 1 tablespoon ground yellow curry powder (0.23 oz / 6.5 g)
• 1 tablespoon honey (0.75 oz / 21 g)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (0.5 oz / 15 g) from about ½ lime
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Make the Curry Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, curry powder, honey, and lime juice until smooth and well combined.
  1 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon ground yellow curry powder, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• Add the Salad Ingredients: Add the diced chicken, celery, grapes, and half of the chopped cashews to the dressing. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
  4 cups roasted chicken breast, 1 cup celery, 1 cup seedless purple grapes, ½ cup salted roasted cashews
• Season to Taste: Taste and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. The cashews and lime juice provide plenty of flavor, so you may need very little additional salt.
  Salt and pepper
• Chill Before Serving: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
• Finish with Cashews: Just before serving, stir in the remaining cashews for maximum crunch.
• Build Your Sandwich: Spoon generously onto your favorite bread with lettuce or micro-greens and serve immediately.

Notes

Bite Me Recipe Notes:
Chicken Options - I use Costco rotisserie chicken for just about everything, including this recipe. Any cooked chicken will work, roasted, poached, grilled, or even canned in a pinch. That said, rotisserie chicken delivers the richest flavor and makes this salad especially satisfying.
Make-Ahead Instructions - Prepare the chicken salad up to 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For the best texture, reserve the cashews and stir them in just before serving so they stay crisp and crunchy.

Healthier Swaps -  For more protein and to make this more veggie forward, here are a few swaps:

• Use Greek Yogurt in place of mayonnaise
• Use Shredded Carrots in place of cashews
• Use lettuce as a wrap in place of bread

 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 508kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 18g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 394mg | Potassium: 423mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 147IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 2mg