Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad (Chicken Salad Chick Copycat Recipe)

This Fancy Nancy chicken salad tastes just like the iconic one from Chicken Salad Chick. It's a fresh and flavorful twist on traditional chicken salad, with the combination of sweet apples and grapes, crunchy pecans, and homemade creamy ranch-seasoned mayonnaise. I love enjoying it as a light lunch, and it's the perfect meal prep since it tastes so good leftover!

The Best Chicken Salad Chick Recipe

I’ve always been a fan of chicken salad, and I've been obsessed with Chicken Salad Chick since I first tried it. My favorite is the Fancy Nancy version, so I tried my hand at making it at home.

I think my homemade copycat recipe takes it up a notch with the blend of sweet fruits and savory chicken. The crisp apples, juicy grapes, and crunchy pecans give it great texture, while the ranch seasoning adds just the right amount of tang.

What I love most about this recipe is how versatile it is. I always eat my fancy Nancy chicken salad on croissants eaten as a sandwich, but it's also delicious on bread, crackers, or just eaten with a fork.

Ingredients for Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad

The main reason this is my go-to chicken salad recipe is it's made with all fresh, wholesome, healthy ingredients. So it's actually something I feel good about eating and feeding to my family.

Check out what you need:

• 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 fuji apple, chopped
• ½ cup red seedless grapes, quartered
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 3 tablespoon pecans, chopped
• ¾ cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
• 1 ½ teaspoon ranch seasoning
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

How to Make Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad

Step:1 Combine the Ingredients

Add the shredded chicken, chopped apples, quartered grapes, chopped celery, and pecans in a large bowl. Stir in the reduced-fat mayonnaise, ranch seasoning, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix everything until well combined.

Step 2: Adjust the Seasoning

Taste the chicken salad and adjust the seasoning to your liking. Add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if you think you need to balance the flavors. I personally always think it tastes perfect.

Step 3: Refrigerate Before Serving

Once mixed, transfer the chicken salad to the fridge and let it chill for at least 30 minutes. This step allows the flavors to meld together, and the longer it chills, the better it tastes.

Finally, serve the Fancy Nancy chicken salad on its own, over greens, or in a sandwich. It's perfect for a quick and healthy lunch! Enjoy!

Expert Tips For Perfect Chicken Salad

• To save time, grab a store-bought rotisserie chicken for easy shredding. It’s a great hack to make the prep time minimal.
• Use fresh apples and grapes for the best texture and flavor. The crunch of the apple and the juiciness of the grapes really enhance the salad.
• Depending on your preference, you can easily swap the pecans for walnuts or almonds and try different apple varieties. Want a little more crunch? Add extra celery!
• Chilling the salad in the fridge helps the flavors come together. Try making it a few hours ahead of time before serving for even better flavor. Or make it the day before you plan on eating it to really let the flavors develop.

How to Store Leftover Chicken Salad

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I always make extra so I have it on hand for meal prep for the beginning of the week.

Make sure to stir the chicken salad before serving to coat everything in the dressing.

Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad Chick Recipe FAQs

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise?

Yes! If you prefer a lighter version that's even healthier, swap out the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt. It will give the salad a tangy twist, too.

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare this salad for a few hours or a day or two before serving it and store it in the fridge. As I mentioned, it tastes even better after sitting in the fridge.

Can I use a different type of apple?

Definitely. Fuji apples are great for their sweetness, but you can also use Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a different flavor profile. Honestly, any apples go really well in this recipe.

Can I freeze Fancy Nancy chicken salad?

Unfortunately, this salad doesn’t freeze well due to the mayonnaise. It’s best enjoyed fresh or within a few days of making. With that said, you won't want to ever freeze chicken salad.

More Recipes to Try Next

• Chicken Al Pastor
• Crustless Chicken Pot Pie
• Phyllo Dough Chicken Pot Pie
• Crock Pot Chicken Leg Quarters
• Creamy Chicken and Chorizo Pasta