So, I made this recipe a few days before I had my baby…and completely forgot about it cause ya know….I had a baby.
Also, I have a severe case of mommy-brain. Forreals. I need to take some sort of medication to make the synapses in my brain fire.
Or, I just need sleep. One of the two.
Anyways, I love chicken salad and just upped the ante on my plain old version with this Basil & Pecan version. It’s so flavorful! Basil, pecans, chicken, grapes, celery and onion! Nothing too out of the ordinary on the ingredients list, but throw them all together with a little mayo and you get something amazing! Kind of like my whole mantra for this blog: everyday ingredients extraordinary food…which PS- is the name of my ecookbook. Did you get your copy yet?
Pretty simple and humble food with yummy payoffs! Just how I like it 🙂
Here’s how you make this:
Start by cubing up some leftover roasted chicken breasts and throwing them into a bowl.
Next we’ll slice lots of fresh basil to go into this salad too. I love fresh basil and should buy it more.
Of course, I added in some celery for a little crunch action…
and red onion for a little spiciness. 
Toasted pecans {or any kind of nut} add a softer buttery bite and nice textural contrast.
And don’t forget a bunch of grapes. Sweet little nuggets.
Stir this all together with some real mayonnaise, salt and pepper and that’s it!
Spoon this onto some bread and that’s lunch! 
Git in mah belleh!!
Perfect for lunch or light snacking through the day {which is what I do 24/7}. OR, throw these into mini croissants and serve them at a baby shower. Super cute and kind of fancy too. No one needs to know how easy it is to make 😉
Print the recipe below and save for later. Or, make it today! Enjoy your Thursday, friends!
Basil & Pecan Chicken Salad
Leftover chicken never tasted so good! This is my new favorite way to put it to use! Flavor city right here, friends.
Ingredients
- 2 large roasted chicken breasts cooled and diced
- 2 cups red grapes sliced
- 10 large basil leaves chiffonade
- 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 3/4-1 cup real mayonnaise
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
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Stir all ingredients together in large bowl. Refrigerate until ready to use.
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Delicious with crackers or in a sandwich with lettuce.
Sophie says
May 23, 2013 at 8:02 amSeriously, that has got to be the prettiest {and yummiest} looking sandwich I’ve ever seen. Yummers!
Sofia says
May 23, 2013 at 9:31 amYou’re SO cool! Totally love your blog and recipes 🙂
Leah | So, How's It Taste? says
May 23, 2013 at 12:40 pmThis sounds fabulous! I absolutely LOVE chicken salad. Especially ones with pecans and grapes.
Cookin Canuck says
May 23, 2013 at 2:42 pmHow I love a really good chicken salad sandwich. I love the basil in here! As for mummy brain…my kids are 11 and 9, and I’m still suffering from it. Ack!
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
May 23, 2013 at 3:02 pmThis is fabulous, I adore chicken salad!
Tieghan says
May 23, 2013 at 5:17 pmI love basil, adore it, worship it! Ok, that was weird, but I really do love it! This salad look delicious!
Stephie @ Eat your heart out says
May 23, 2013 at 6:49 pmPecans and grapes are the secret to my chicken salad! I seriously love the juicy grapes with the nuts and the chicken and the yummmm. I love the idea of adding basil, will definitely ponder that one next time!
Heather of Kitchen Concoctions says
May 23, 2013 at 8:09 pmChicken salad sandwiches will always be one of my favorites!
Jenny says
May 24, 2013 at 3:37 amI do this all the time – I love mixing it up – sometimes cranberries, almonds and big chunks of celery. It’s all about the textures. Looks great.
Traci says
May 24, 2013 at 4:46 amI love a good chicken salad, and I love how you added basil to your salad. Can’t wait to try this on a hot summer day.
Kathy says
May 24, 2013 at 5:40 amYum! This would be great on a hot day!
Megan {Country Cleaver} says
May 24, 2013 at 6:43 amAin’t nothin’ gettin’ in the way of me and this salad. I’ve been craving chicken salad for Daayyzzzzz! You just saved the day. Officially.
Nikki @Seeded at the Table says
May 25, 2013 at 7:27 pmMmmm yes! LOVE chicken salad! And, your photos are getting more and more beautiful! Did you get a new lens by any chance?
Corynne O. says
May 26, 2013 at 5:20 pmLove this! Made it for dinner tonight with leftover roasted chicken – delicious!
Dana says
May 28, 2013 at 5:40 amHoly yum! LOVE this idea!
Lisa | With Style and Grace says
May 29, 2013 at 6:45 amI would probably eat this by the spoonful before it ever reached the bread.
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
May 29, 2013 at 7:18 amI’ve been on the hunt for a great chicken salad recipe. Will have to give this one a try!
Jennifer says
April 27, 2014 at 11:56 amLinking up to this delicious post today! It reminds me of a sandwich I ate at Gramwich in Chicago!
Bonita Siberry says
July 26, 2016 at 3:59 amWe love this salad, the last time I made it, I used two cans of Wild Albacore Tuna (Costco) & it was amazing…
Annie says
September 18, 2018 at 11:55 amI love your website and want to keep many of your recipes on Pinterest. I do not see the Pinterest icon when I download a recipe, and I do not use Facebook. How can I get them over to tPinterest