The Classic Neiman Marcus Chicken Salad You Can Easily Make at Home
If you’ve ever had lunch at a Neiman Marcus Cafe, you know that some of their simple, classic dishes are legendary. Right at the top of that list is their chicken salad. It’s the kind of dish that sounds basic but tastes incredibly elegant and satisfying. It’s creamy, crunchy, and perfectly balanced—the ideal light lunch.
For years, people have tried to recreate this iconic salad at home. The good news is, it’s not complicated at all. This beloved recipe is all about using good ingredients and getting the textures just right. Here’s a breakdown of how you can make this department store classic in your own kitchen.
What Makes This Chicken Salad So Special?
Unlike some chicken salads that can be heavy or bland, the Neiman Marcus version is all about balance. It’s a masterful mix of textures and flavors.
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The Creaminess: It starts with a simple, high-quality mayonnaise base that coats everything perfectly without being overwhelming.
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The Crunch: Finely chopped celery provides a fresh, crisp texture in every bite.
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A Touch of Sweetness: Seedless grapes are often included, adding a burst of juicy sweetness that cuts through the richness of the dressing.
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Nutty Goodness: Toasted nuts, like almonds or pecans, give it another layer of crunch and a rich, nutty flavor.
It’s this combination that transforms a simple chicken salad into something memorable.
The Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. You won’t need any fancy, hard-to-find ingredients.
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Cooked Chicken: About four cups, shredded or cubed. Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken is a great time-saving hack.
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Mayonnaise: Around one cup. Use a good quality brand for the best flavor.
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Celery: A couple of stalks, finely chopped, for that essential crunch.
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Toasted Almonds or Pecans: Sliced or chopped, to add texture.
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Seedless Grapes: Halved or quartered, depending on their size.
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Green Onions: Sliced thin for a mild onion flavor.
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Salt and Pepper: To taste.
How to Make It: Step-by-Step
Putting this together is incredibly easy and should only take a few minutes once your ingredients are prepped.
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Prepare Your Ingredients: Start by shredding or cubing your cooked chicken. Finely chop the celery, slice the green onions, and halve the grapes. If your nuts aren’t already toasted, give them a few minutes in a dry pan until fragrant.
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Combine Everything: In a large bowl, mix the chicken, mayonnaise, celery, nuts, grapes, and green onions together. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated in the mayonnaise.
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Season to Perfection: Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix it again and give it a final taste to see if it needs any adjustments.
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The Most Important Step: Let it Chill! This is the key to a great chicken salad. Cover the bowl and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This gives the flavors time to meld together beautifully.
Serving It Like the NM Cafe
The classic way to enjoy Neiman Marcus chicken salad is on a buttery croissant. The light, flaky pastry is the perfect vehicle for the creamy salad.
You can also serve it:
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Over a bed of mixed greens for a light and healthy lunch.
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With a side of high-quality crackers for dipping.
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As a simple sandwich on your favorite bread.
No matter how you serve it, this timeless recipe brings a little touch of elegance to your lunch table, proving that sometimes, the simplest dishes are truly the best.
