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Wild Rice Chicken Salad

Nutty wild rice, tender chicken, grapes and almonds combined in a light lemony dressing, this wild rice chicken salad is easy to make and perfect for lunch or a light dinner.

Mound of wild rice chicken salad over greens.

I first had chicken and wild rice salad in Minnesota when we lived there for several years.  It was a staple in the deli counter of a couple of the high end grocery stores in the Twin Cities.  This is the recipe a local gave me many years ago for this delicious chicken and grape wild rice salad.

Close up of finished and plated salad.

WHAT EXACTLY IS WILD RICE?

Wild rice is actually the seed of an aquatic grass species.  It's not rice, nor is it a grain.  It's called rice because it looks and cooks like rice.  It grows abundantly and is cultivated in the Northern Great Lakes region and Canada.

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED

Ingredients photo of wild rice, grapes and almonds.

  • Wild rice, of course!
  • Cooked and cubed chicken (poached, roasted, leftover or even a rotisserie chicken will work)
  • Mayonnaise, milk and lemon juice
  • Green onions and water chestnuts 
  • Grapes and slivered almonds

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Two photo collage of cooked wild rice and cubed chicken.

Step 1: Cook the rice until tender, cut cooked chicken into bite-sized cubes.

Three photo collage, making dressing and mixing with other ingredients.

Step 2: Make the dressing and combine with the rice, chicken and water chestnuts. Chill for a few hours.

Two photo collage, adding grapes and almonds.

Step 3: Just before serving, add the grapes and toasted almonds, toss gently to combine. 

Finished wild rice salad in serving bowl.

RECIPE NOTES AND TIPS

  • Cook the wild rice to your liking, I like it a little firm to the bite, but you can cook it until it's as tender as you like.
  • I like to roast skin-on, bone-in chicken breasts in the oven for this recipe.  Just rub a little olive oil on top, salt and pepper, and bake at 350º until done. Cool, then remove the skin and bones.  Tender, juicy chicken every time.
  • Toast the almond slivers before mixing in the salad for the best flavor and crunch.  Spread on a baking sheet and toast 7 to 8 minutes in 350º oven.
  • You can use red or green grapes, I prefer red for the color.
  • The salad needs to chill for at least a couple of hours or longer for the flavors to meld and the dressing to thicken slightly.  Then add the grapes and almonds just before serving.
  • Serve the salad over lettuce for a pretty presentation.  I mound it over mixed baby greens, bibb or butter lettuce leaves.

This chicken and wild rice salad with crunchy grapes, almonds and water chestnuts is always a huge hit.  My vegan-ish daughter used to request it without the chicken, that's how much she loved it!  It's a great dish for a crowd or potluck, too.  Enjoy!  Kelly🍴🐦

Wild rice chicken salad plated over mixed greens.

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Finished wild rice salad in serving bowl.

Wild Rice Chicken Salad

Nutty wild rice, tender chicken, grapes and almonds combined in a light lemony dressing.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Chill time: 2 hours
Total Time: 3 hours
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 490kcal

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup uncooked wild rice
  • cups water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • cup mayonnaise
  • cup milk whole or lowfat
  • cup fresh lemon juice from 2 to 3 lemons
  • ½ cup chopped green onions white and pale green parts
  • cups cooked cubed chicken or turkey
  • 1 (8 oz.) can sliced water chestnuts, drained and rinsed
  • Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
  • ½ pound seedless red or green grapes, halved
  • 1 cup slivered almonds, toasted

Instructions

  • Rinse wild rice under cold water, place in medium saucepan with water and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until tender, about 30 - 45 minutes (up to an hour). Drain and set aside to cool.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, milk, lemon juice and green onion until well combined. Add the wild rice, chicken, water chestnuts and a sprinkle of salt and pepper, mix well. Cover and refrigerate 2 to 4 hours or overnight.
  • Just before serving, add the halved grapes and toasted almond slivers, gently toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve on lettuce and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

  • I bake skin-on, bone-in chicken breasts in the oven rubbed with a little olive oil, kosher salt and pepper. Depending on size, about 35 to 45 minutes, at 350º until done. Let cool, discard skin and bones and cube.
  • Toast the almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet at 350º for 7 to 8 minutes.
  • You can also use turkey instead of chicken, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 490kcal Carbohydrates: 29g Protein: 23g Fat: 33g Saturated Fat: 5g Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g Monounsaturated Fat: 12g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 57mg Sodium: 608mg Potassium: 506mg Fiber: 4g Sugar: 9g Vitamin A: 197IU Vitamin C: 8mg Calcium: 108mg Iron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe? Please comment, rate it and share! And mention me on Instagram @thehungrybluebird or tag #thehungrybluebird so I can see!
Recipe Rating




Debby

Saturday 17th of July 2021

Delicious! My aunt made this for one of our family baby showers. I had to have to have the recipe. She used cashews instead of almonds, also very good.

Kelly

Monday 19th of July 2021

Thanks, Debby. I love cashews, sounds good, too!

Heidi Westrum

Tuesday 6th of July 2021

Can you freeze this?

Kelly

Monday 12th of July 2021

I would not recommend freezing this salad.

Meathead

Friday 17th of July 2020

Nutty wild rice run amok.