Pioneer Woman Chicken Salad Recipe: The Ultimate Savory-Sweet Delight

This savory-sweet chicken salad recipe, inspired by The Pioneer Woman and other culinary experts, is set to become your new favorite. Perfect for sandwiches, lettuce wraps, or simply enjoyed by the spoonful, this dish combines tender chicken with a creamy, tangy dressing and a delightful crunch from grapes and almonds.

Chicken salad is a timeless classic, a staple for lunches, picnics, and light dinners. Everyone seems to have their preferred version, from simple and traditional to loaded with exciting flavors and textures. Recently, a chicken salad showdown by Amelia Rampe on The Kitchn compared recipes from culinary giants like The New York Times, Southern Living, Ina Garten, and The Pioneer Woman. And guess who emerged victorious? The Pioneer Woman’s recipe!

Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman herself, crafted a savory-sweet masterpiece featuring grapes, almonds, and dill. While Ina Garten’s recipe was a close contender, the Pioneer Woman’s unique blend of flavors took the crown. Inspired by both of these winning recipes and incorporating personal touches, we’ve created a chicken salad that we believe is truly exceptional. It’s the perfect balance of creamy and crunchy, sweet and savory – a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Elevating Chicken Salad: Key Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Inspired Flavor

To recreate this incredible chicken salad, you’ll need these key ingredients:

Chicken Breasts: We recommend bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts for the most flavorful and moist chicken. Roasting them is key!
Mayonnaise & Sour Cream: The creamy base of our dressing. Opt for high-quality mayonnaise like Hellmann’s or Duke’s for the best taste. Sour cream adds a delightful tang.
Lemon Juice & Dijon Mustard: These bright, acidic elements cut through the richness of the mayonnaise and sour cream, adding depth of flavor.
Sugar: Just a touch of sugar enhances the savory-sweet profile and balances the acidity.
Celery & Scallions: These provide essential crunch and a mild oniony bite.
Grapes: Halved grapes bring a burst of sweetness and juicy texture that is signature to this style of chicken salad.
Sliced Almonds: Almonds contribute a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor.
Fresh Herbs: A combination of fresh parsley and dill elevates the salad with herbaceous notes. Dill is a standout in the Pioneer Woman’s winning recipe!
Seasoning: Salt and freshly ground black pepper are crucial for bringing all the flavors together.

Step-by-Step Guide to Pioneer Woman Style Chicken Salad Perfection

Follow these simple steps to create your own Pioneer Woman inspired chicken salad:

Roast the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.
Bake to Perfection: Roast the chicken for 25-30 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers between 160°F and 165°F (71°C-74°C). Remember, carryover cooking will bring it to the safe 165°F. Pro-Tip: Using a remote probe thermometer is highly recommended to avoid overcooking and ensure juicy chicken.
Cool and Dice the Chicken: Let the roasted chicken cool slightly. Then, remove the meat from the bones, discard the skin and bones, and dice the chicken into ½-inch pieces. Dicing ensures even distribution in the salad.
Prepare the Creamy Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper. This tangy-sweet dressing is the heart of the salad.
Whisk Until Smooth: Ensure the dressing is well combined and smooth by whisking it thoroughly. This creates a luscious base for the chicken salad.
Combine and Toss: Add the diced chicken, celery, scallions, halved grapes, sliced almonds, parsley, and dill to the bowl with the dressing.
Mix Gently: Toss everything together until the chicken and other ingredients are evenly coated in the creamy dressing. Be gentle to maintain the texture of the chicken and grapes.
Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the chicken salad for at least a couple of hours to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill completely. This chilling time is crucial for the best flavor. Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Tips for the Best Pioneer Woman Chicken Salad

Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Dry chicken is the enemy of great chicken salad. Use a meat thermometer and avoid overcooking. Slightly undercooked is better than overcooked as it will continue to cook as it rests.
Fresh Herbs are Key: Fresh parsley and dill make a huge difference in flavor compared to dried herbs.
Adjust Sweetness and Tang: Taste and adjust the sugar and lemon juice to your preference. Some prefer a sweeter salad, while others like it tangier.
Toast the Almonds (Optional): For an even nuttier flavor, lightly toast the sliced almonds in a dry pan before adding them to the salad.
Make Ahead: Chicken salad is perfect for making ahead. It actually tastes better after the flavors have had time to meld in the refrigerator.
Serving Suggestions: Enjoy this Pioneer Woman inspired chicken salad in sandwiches, lettuce wraps, on crackers, or simply as a scoop on a bed of greens. It’s incredibly versatile!
Rotisserie Chicken Shortcut: In a hurry? Use about 4 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken. Toss it gently as it tends to shred easily.

Nutritional Information

This chicken salad is not only delicious but also provides a good source of protein. Here’s a general nutritional breakdown per serving (based on 6 servings):

Calories: 584
Fat: 43g
Saturated fat: 9g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Sugar: 10g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 36g
Sodium: 679mg
Cholesterol: 114mg

Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.

Inspired By Culinary Masters

This recipe is lovingly inspired by:

Enjoy this delightful and easy-to-make Pioneer Woman Chicken Salad Recipe! It’s a guaranteed hit for any occasion.