Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad Recipe: Delicious And Easy Homemade Copycat

Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad, the beloved menu item from Chicken Salad Chick, is a delightful combination of red grapes, crisp apples, pecans, and perfectly balanced seasonings. This simple copycat recipe has been a family favorite for years, and I’m always inundated with requests for the secret. You won’t believe how delicious it is until you try it yourself! The best part? It’s incredibly easy to make at home! Pair it with the classic southern dish Pear Salad or some effortless Air Fryer Tater Tots for a complete meal.

The versatility of Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad is remarkable. You can enjoy it plain, in a salad, in a lettuce wrap, or as a sandwich filling. The options are limitless! While it pairs wonderfully with a freshly baked croissant, you can also opt for a lettuce wrap to cut down on carbs and calories. Creating the chicken salad itself is a breeze!

Table of Contents

How to Make Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad:

Scroll down for the full ingredients list and printable directions.

Begin by prepping all the ingredients. For shredded chicken, you can follow my instructions for making bulk shredded chicken. Alternatively, you can use a rotisserie chicken and shred it. If you prefer turkey over chicken, give this Air Fryer Turkey Breast recipe a try. Ensure that all the vegetables and fruits are thoroughly washed and chopped.
In a medium/large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, apples, grapes, celery, pecans, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, and ranch seasoning. Gently stir until everything is well mixed.

How to Serve Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad:

Spoon the chicken salad over a bed of lettuce and enjoy it as is.
Add a scoop of Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad to a freshly baked croissant. Top it off with some lettuce and tomato for a delightful sandwich experience.
Take some romaine or bib lettuce and create lettuce wraps by filling them with the chicken salad.
Create a classic chicken salad sandwich by spreading the chicken salad on your favorite type of bread. Add some lettuce and tomato for an extra crunch.
Serve with Ritz crackers for a delicious appetizer or snack.

This chicken salad is perfect for new moms, potlucks, or meal-trains. Whenever I bring it to an event, I pack the chicken salad along with some croissants, lettuce, and tomato slices. People absolutely adore it! Plus, the chicken salad stays fresh in the fridge for up to a week, making it an ideal make-ahead dish.

Can You Freeze Chicken Salad?

I don’t recommend freezing chicken salad itself, but you can freeze shredded chicken and have it ready to use for this chicken salad recipe! Frozen shredded chicken is incredibly versatile and can be used in numerous other recipes.

Need a side dish to complement this meal? Here are some fantastic options:

Air Fryer Roasted Asparagus: With only two ingredients and a fraction of the usual cooking time, this will become your go-to way of cooking asparagus.
Air Fryer Tater Tots: These quick and convenient tater tots are perfect as a side dish. They cook up quickly and turn out perfectly crispy every time.
Creamy BLT Pasta Salad: This pasta salad combines all the classic flavors of a BLT into one delicious dish, making it the ideal addition to any potluck or BBQ.
Creamy Pesto Pasta: Loaded with tomatoes, artichokes, peas, and topped with a creamy pesto sauce, this pasta dish is sure to be a barbecue favorite.
Pear Salad: A classic southern comfort food, this dish features canned pears topped with mayonnaise, cheese, and a cherry. It’s a guaranteed hit at any potluck.