This rotisserie chicken salad combines crisp celery, sweet grapes and dried cranberries, crunchy pistachios, and fresh apple for a flavorful, textured dish. It’s an elevated take on a classic chicken salad and can be made up to 24 hours ahead—perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or a quick lunch.
You’ll love this Rotisserie Chicken Salad Recipe
This rotisserie chicken salad strikes a great balance of sweet and savory with plenty of texture and crunch, making it a satisfying high-protein option. It tastes even better after resting in the fridge for a few hours and holds well overnight.
Rotisserie Chicken Salad ingredients
- Rotisserie chicken – store-bought, shredded (about 2½ pounds or 4 cups shredded)
- Mayonnaise – use your preferred variety
- Pistachios – shelled, roasted, and salted
- Seedless red grapes – halved
- Dried cranberries (Craisins) – choose no‑sugar‑added if you prefer less sweetness
- Celery – finely diced
- Gala apple – unpeeled and diced (or substitute another crisp variety)
- Sweet onion – finely diced
- Dill – fresh or dried
- Lemon – juice of ½ lemon
- Salt and pepper – to taste
See the recipe card below for exact quantities and nutrition details.
Be sure to save this pin to Pinterest for later!
Rotisserie Chicken Salad Variations
Try these simple variations and swaps to suit your taste or pantry:
- Nuts: Swap pistachios for walnuts, pecans, or sliced almonds, or omit nuts if necessary.
- Chicken: Use cooked grilled chicken instead of rotisserie if preferred.
- Apples: Any firm, crisp apple works—Honeycrisp, Fuji, Granny Smith, or Golden Delicious.
- Heat: Add a touch of sriracha for a spicy kick.
- Lower fat: Substitute plain Greek yogurt for some or all of the mayonnaise; start with less since yogurt can thin more quickly.
How to make Chicken Salad with Rotisserie Chicken
Shred
Shred the rotisserie chicken and place it in a large mixing bowl.
Combine
Add the mayonnaise, pistachios, grapes, dried cranberries, diced celery, apple, onion, dill, and lemon juice. Stir until everything is evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
Garnish and Serve
How to serve Rotisserie Chicken Salad
- Garnish: Top with extra pistachios and a sprinkle of fresh dill.
- As a sandwich: Serve on your favorite bread, croissant, or in a wrap.
- Low-carb option: Serve wrapped in lettuce leaves or flatbread.
- Meal idea: Pair with a green salad or a simple soup for a balanced meal.
Top Tips
- For best flavor, chill the salad for at least 6 hours before serving.
- If transporting to an outdoor event, keep the salad chilled until ready to serve to prevent spoilage.
How To Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–5 days. Do not freeze: the mayonnaise and fruit will break down and create a watery texture when thawed.
FAQs
Yes. If you like eggs, hard-boil them, chop, and fold them in with the other ingredients. Cooked yolks may absorb additional mayonnaise, so adjust the dressing amount to reach your preferred consistency.
Fresh ingredients like grapes, apples, and celery release moisture over time. To reduce watery salad, fold delicate ingredients into the dressed chicken shortly before serving and keep the salad chilled.
📖 The recipe.
Chicken Salad Recipe with Rotisserie Chicken
Ingredients
- 2½ pounds rotisserie chicken (approx. 4 cups shredded)
- 1½ cups mayonnaise
- 1 cup shelled, roasted, and salted pistachios
- 2 cups seedless red grapes, halved
- 1 cup sweetened dried cranberries
- 2 stalks celery, small diced (approx. 1 cup)
- 1 medium gala apple, unpeeled and diced (approx. 1 cup)
- 1 small sweet onion, small diced (approx. 1 cup)
- 1 teaspoon fresh dill
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Shred the rotisserie chicken into a large mixing bowl.
- Add the mayonnaise and remaining ingredients, stirring until fully combined.
- Season with salt and pepper. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- Garnish with extra pistachios and fresh dill, then serve.
Kori’s Tips
- Substitute walnuts, pecans, or sliced almonds for the pistachios, or omit nuts if needed.
- Allow the salad to chill for at least 6 hours to let flavors develop.
- Garnish with extra pistachios and fresh dill before serving.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 28 g
Protein: 43 g
Fat: 50 g
Sugar: 21 g
© 2025 Seeking Good Eats™
More Salad Recipes
If you enjoy this recipe, try other fresh salad ideas for variety and inspiration.
- Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
- Seafood Pasta Salad
- Zesty Italian Pasta Salad
- Blue Cheese Wedge Salad
- Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad with Pomegranate and Pecans
- Dill Pickle Chicken Salad with a Sweet-Crunchy Twist
- 35+ Healthy Salad Recipes
- 25+ Healthy High Protein Recipes
- Mediterranean Pearl Couscous Salad
- Egg Salad with Dill Pickles
- Green Goddess Cabbage Salad