Simplified Festive Chicken Salad Cups

Featured in: Snack Time Bites

Enjoy a vibrant blend of diced chicken, celery, halved grapes, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans mixed with a tangy dressing of mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, honey, and lemon juice. Served chilled in crisp lettuce leaves, these cups deliver a refreshing balance of textures and flavors. Perfectly garnished with fresh parsley or dill, they're a quick, easy-to-prepare choice for festive or casual occasions.

Updated on Tue, 25 Nov 2025 10:25:00 GMT
Fluffy chicken salad cups with grapes and pecans: a delightful appetizer for your festive table. Save to Pinterest
Fluffy chicken salad cups with grapes and pecans: a delightful appetizer for your festive table. | recipesbies.com

A vibrant and refreshing appetizer of tender chicken salad, bright fruits, and crunchy nuts, served in crisp lettuce cups—perfect for festive gatherings.

Convenient and quick to prepare, these salad cups make a delightful addition to any celebration.

Ingredients

  • Chicken & Salad: 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded, 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped, 1/2 cup red grapes, halved, 1/4 cup dried cranberries, 1/4 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped, 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
  • Dressing: 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, Salt and pepper, to taste
  • For Serving: 6 large lettuce leaves (e.g. butter lettuce or romaine), Fresh parsley or dill, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1:
In a large bowl, combine the chicken, celery, grapes, cranberries, nuts, and spring onions.
Step 2:
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Step 3:
Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and toss gently to coat evenly.
Step 4:
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Step 5:
Spoon the chicken salad evenly into the lettuce leaves to form individual cups.
Step 6:
Garnish with fresh parsley or dill, if desired. Serve immediately.
Delicious, creamy Festive Chicken Salad Cups, served in fresh lettuce cups for a light, refreshing bite. Save to Pinterest
Delicious, creamy Festive Chicken Salad Cups, served in fresh lettuce cups for a light, refreshing bite. | recipesbies.com

This recipe has been a hit at every family gathering, bringing smiles and requests for seconds.

Notes

For extra flavor, add a pinch of curry powder or smoked paprika to the dressing. Substitute rotisserie chicken for convenience. Replace nuts with toasted seeds for a nut free version. Serve as a light lunch or as part of a festive appetizer spread.

Required Tools

Large mixing bowl, Small mixing bowl, Whisk or fork, Sharp knife, Cutting board, Spoon

Nutritional Information

Calories: 180, Total Fat: 10 g, Carbohydrates: 9 g, Protein: 13 g per cup

Vibrant Festive Chicken Salad Cups with a hint of honey: featuring tender chicken and crunchy nuts. Save to Pinterest
Vibrant Festive Chicken Salad Cups with a hint of honey: featuring tender chicken and crunchy nuts. | recipesbies.com

This recipe is a quick and beautiful addition to your festive menu that everyone will enjoy.

Simplified Festive Chicken Salad Cups

Tender chicken combined with fresh fruits, nuts, and herbs in crisp lettuce cups for a vibrant starter.

Prep duration
20 mins
Time to cook
15 mins
Overall time
35 mins
Published by Sophie Turner


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type International

Serves 6 Serving size

Dietary Details Contains No Gluten

What you need

Chicken & Salad

01 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
02 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
03 1/2 cup red grapes, halved
04 1/4 cup dried cranberries
05 1/4 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
06 2 spring onions, thinly sliced

Dressing

01 1/3 cup mayonnaise
02 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
03 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
04 1 teaspoon honey
05 1 tablespoon lemon juice
06 Salt and pepper, to taste

For Serving

01 6 large lettuce leaves (e.g., butter lettuce or romaine)
02 Fresh parsley or dill, chopped (optional, for garnish)

How to Make It

Step 01

Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the chicken, celery, grapes, cranberries, nuts, and spring onions until evenly incorporated.

Step 02

Prepare dressing: In a small bowl, whisk mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.

Step 03

Dress the salad: Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and fold gently to coat all ingredients evenly.

Step 04

Adjust seasoning: Taste and add additional salt or pepper as needed to enhance flavor.

Step 05

Assemble cups: Spoon the dressed chicken salad evenly into lettuce leaves, forming individual cups.

Step 06

Garnish and serve: Top with chopped parsley or dill if desired and serve immediately for optimal freshness.

Equipment You'll Need

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Whisk or fork
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Spoon

Allergy Details

Review all ingredients for allergens, and reach out to a healthcare pro if unsure.
  • Contains eggs (mayonnaise), tree nuts (pecans or walnuts), and dairy (Greek yogurt).
  • Substitute ingredients accordingly for nut-free or dairy-free versions and verify all labels.

Nutrition info (by portion)

Nutrition info is for guidance. Please consult a medical expert if you need advice.
  • Total Calories: 180
  • Fat content: 10 g
  • Carbohydrate: 9 g
  • Protein content: 13 g