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Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad

This copycat Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad  is a fruity chicken salad! It’s loaded with seedless grapes, Fuji apples, and crunchy pecans! Yum!

Main image for Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad

The combo of seedless grapes and Fuji apples adds a natural sweetness. It pairs perfectly with the savory rotisserie chicken!

Chicken salad chick Fancy Nancy is an easy recipe that’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or a snack!!

Serve it on a bed of lettuce for a light meal.

Stuff it into a croissant for a satisfying sandwich.

Or enjoy it as a dip with crackers. So good!

This scratch-made chicken salad comes together quickly with simple ingredients you might already have in your kitchen.

Prefer it on a bed of lettuce, in a sandwich, or as a dip? You’ve got lots of ways to serve it!

And there are so many varieties of chicken salads but you’ll love this fruity twist!

It’s packed with lean protein and fresh fruits! A great choice for a nutritious and satisfying meal!

All ingredients laid out on counter, ready to assemble.

What Ingredients Are in Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad?

Any chicken salad lover is going to love this chicken salad chick recipe!

Here are the ingredients you’ll need: 

  • Rotisserie Chicken: Shredded chicken tenders.
  • Mayonnaise: Binds all the ingredients together.
  • Celery: Diced celery.
  • Ground Black Pepper and Sea Salt: Simple seasonings. Big taste!
  • Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: The perfect combo.
  • Celery Seeds: Goes really well with the fresh celery.
  • Seedless Grapes: Halved grapes work best.
  • Fuji Apples: Diced apples have a crisp texture and sweet-tart flavor.
  • Pecans: Essential for the classic Fancy Nancy taste.

Pro Tips: 

  • For extra flavor, you can add fresh basil or sweet pickles to the mix. Not the exact same copycat though.
  • Duke’s mayonnaise adds a southern tradition touch. You could try it for a different twist.
All ingredients except dressing in bowl, unmixed

How to Make Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad?

This signature chicken salad is a different recipe that you’ll love!

The whole recipe card is below but here’s what you need to know:

  1. Shred chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Mix dressing ingredients.
  3. Stir in the diced celery to the dressing for extra crunch.
  4. Add the shredded chicken to the bowl.
  5. Gently fold in the seedless grapes, diced Fuji apples, and chopped pecans.
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

Pro Tips: 

  • For a lighter version, substitute half the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt. 
  • You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper to spice it up.
  • Mix carefully to keep the fruits intact
dressing and seasoning added to chicken and fruit.

What Is Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad?

Fancy Nancy chicken salad is a signature dish from the Chicken Salad Chick restaurant.

It’s a fruity chicken salad that tastes so good!

It combines tender shredded chicken with sweet seedless grapes, crisp Fuji apples, and crunchy pecans.

It’s got a sweet and savory flavor profile.

And it’s pretty unique among different chicken salad varieties!

It’s a favorite choice for chicken salad lovers! 

If you enjoy a twist on the classic chicken salad, you’ll love this!

Why Is It Called Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad?

It’s called Fancy Nancy because it takes the traditional chicken salad and switches it up.

It adds “fancy” ingredients like fruits and nuts.

Chicken Salad Chick gives fun names to their varieties.

They’ve got Classic Carol for the classic chicken salad. Sassy Scotty for a zesty blend. And Kickin’ Kay Lynne for a spicier option.

I actually love all those names! So fun!

The name Fancy Nancy is the upscale twist of adding gourmet ingredients to a southern tradition.

So get fancy! Make some chicken salad!

all ingredients in bowl mixed up and ready to be served.

How to Store Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad?

Store the copycat chicken salad chick Fancy Nancy chicken in an airtight container.

Place it in the refrigerator right after preparing.

Keeping it cold is the only way the ingredients stay crisp.

You can prepare the chicken salad a day in advance.

But don’t prep it any more than that. I feel like it’s at it’s best within 24 hours.

How Long Does Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad Last?

Chicken salad with grapes, apples, and pecans lasts up to three days in the fridge.

Just be sure to store in an airtight container.

Always check for freshness before serving.

If the salad develops an off smell or appearance? It’s best to discard it.

A scoop of chicken salad on a bed of lettuce on a plate with crackers.

Can You Freeze Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad?

I don’t recommended freezing this quick chick salad.

Mayonnaise-based dressings tend to separate.

Then they become watery when thawed.

The texture of fruits like grapes and apples can also change and become mushy.

For the best flavor and quality? Enjoy the salad fresh within three days.

Is Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad Healthy?

I think this salad is a very nutritious option!

It’s packed with lean protein from the chicken and vitamins from the fruits.

And all that natural sweetness means you need less added sugars.

For a healthier version, you can:

  • Use Greek yogurt instead of some or all of the mayonnaise to reduce fat and increase protein.
  • Add fresh basil or other herbs for extra flavor without extra calories.
  • Enjoy it as a scoop of chicken salad on a bed of lettuce for a lighter meal.
top view looking down at two chicken sandwiches on plates with potato chips.

What Goes Good with Chicken Salad?

Chicken salad goes well with lots of side dishes.

Serve it in a croissant, on whole-grain bread, or with crackers for a satisfying sandwich or snack.

It goes well with broccoli salad, potato salad, or grape salad. 

Serve it on a bed of lettuce or mixed greens for a lighter option.

Here are some ideas if you need some great recipes:

Can Pregnant Women Eat Chicken Salad?

Pregnant women can enjoy chicken salad actually!

Just be sure the chicken is fully cooked.

And make sure the salad is freshly made and properly refrigerated.

You can use pasteurized mayonnaise to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

side view of two chicken salad sandwiches on plates.

If you love Chicken Salad, try these other favorite recipes too…

This easy recipe brings the delightful flavors of the Fancy Nancy chicken salad chick right to your kitchen!

It’s perfect for entertaining guests or meal prepping for the week! Enjoy!

Yield: 6 Sandwiches

Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad

side view of two chicken salad sandwiches on plates.

This copycat Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad is a fruity chicken salad loaded with grapes, apples, and pecans! It's a fun twist on a classic!

Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Instructions

  1. Combine mayonnaise, celery seeds, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a large bowl.
  2. Add the shredded chicken to the dressing mixture and stir until fully coated.
  3. Gently fold in the grapes, apples, celery and pecans.
  4. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  5. Serve the chicken salad on a bed of lettuce, in a sandwich or with crackers.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 354Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 406mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 18g

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