If you’re a fan of ready-to-eat salads that bring a balance of sweet and savory flavors, Trader Joe’s Wine Country Chicken Salad may just be what you’re looking for. This pre-made salad combines tender pieces of chicken with crunchy celery, sweet grapes, and a creamy dressing, making it a convenient and flavorful option for lunches, quick dinners, or snacks. The touch of pecans adds a nice nutty texture, which elevates this salad from your typical deli selection.
At $4.49 for an 11-ounce container, it’s a solid, affordable option that can save you time in the kitchen while still delivering on taste.
Product Description
Trader Joe’s Wine Country Chicken Salad features a mix of white chicken breast, juicy red grapes, celery, pecans, and a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing. The combination of these ingredients creates a flavorful salad that’s both satisfying and versatile. The grapes and pecans add a hint of sweetness and crunch, balancing out the savory notes from the chicken and creamy dressing.
This salad is perfect for enjoying as-is, but it’s also versatile enough to be used in sandwiches, wraps, or even served over a bed of greens for a more complete meal.
Honest Review of Trader Joe’s Wine Country Chicken Salad
Flavor: This salad delivers an interesting balance of flavors. For those unprepared, this chicken salad is sweet. The sweetness of the grapes pairs well with the tender, savory chicken, while the celery adds a nice, fresh crunch. The pecans contribute a nutty richness, and the dressing brings everything together with its creamy texture. While it’s definitely on the sweeter side due to the grapes and dressing, it doesn’t feel overly sugary. It’s a refreshing, light meal, but those who prefer more savory flavors might find it a little too sweet for their liking.
Texture: The texture is one of the highlights of this salad. You get a variety of textures with the tender chicken, crunchy celery, and crisp grapes, all tied together by the creamy dressing. The pecans add a pleasant, nutty crunch that contrasts nicely with the softness of the other ingredients. The dressing is a little more liquidy than I would have liked.
Overall: Trader Joe’s Wine Country Chicken Salad is perfect as a quick, grab-and-go meal or snack. It’s ready to eat straight out of the container, which makes it convenient for busy days. The portion size is generous enough for two light meals or one filling lunch, depending on how you serve it. Being that it was a combination of a lot of things that should go together, but honestly, I just like my chicken salad more savory rather than balanced. For me, this is a pass, but this item does have a fan group. It isn't bad per se, just very different than a traditional chicken salad.
Ingredients
Key ingredients include:
- White Chicken Breast: The base of the salad, providing a lean source of protein.
- Grapes: Adds sweetness and juiciness to the salad.
- Cranberries: Adds sweetness and tartness
- Celery: Adds a fresh, crisp crunch.
- Pecans: For texture and nutty flavor.
- Mayonnaise-Based Dressing: Creamy and rich, this dressing brings all the flavors together.
How to Use Trader Joe’s Wine Country Chicken Salad
- Enjoy It as Is: This salad is ready to eat straight out of the container. Just grab a fork and dig in for a quick, satisfying meal.
- Serve Over Greens: For a lighter, more complete meal, serve the chicken salad over a bed of mixed greens or spinach.
- Make a Sandwich or Wrap: Spread the chicken salad on a croissant, roll, or wrap for an easy, flavorful sandwich or handheld meal.
Recipe Suggestions
- Chicken Salad Croissant: Spread a generous portion of the salad on a buttery croissant and top with a few lettuce leaves for a satisfying sandwich.
- Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps: For a low-carb option, spoon the chicken salad into large lettuce leaves for a refreshing wrap.
- Chicken Salad Platter: Serve the salad as part of a larger platter with fresh fruit, crackers, and cheese for a light, summery meal.
Overall
Trader Joe’s Wine Country Chicken Salad is a sweet and savory combination of tender chicken, juicy grapes, sweetened cranberries, crunchy celery, and rich pecans, all tied together with a creamy dressing. It’s the perfect ready-made meal for busy days, whether you enjoy it straight from the container, on a sandwich, or served over greens. While it leans on the sweeter side, it’s a flavorful option for those who enjoy the combination of fruit and savory ingredients. At $4.49, it’s an affordable, convenient meal that delivers on taste and texture. Just keep in mind the calorie content due to the creamy dressing if you're looking for a lighter option.
It wasn't a favorite of mine due to the sweetness, huge chunks of all of the elements and thinner textured dressing. This item does have its fan base, bit I'm not one of them.
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Trader Joe’s Wine Country Chicken Salad
Product Name: Trader Joe’s Wine Country Chicken Salad
Product Description: Trader Joe’s Wine Country Chicken Salad is a sweet and savory combination that may not be for everyone.
Price: $4.49
Summary
Trader Joe’s Wine Country Chicken Salad is a long-standing favorite in the refrigerated aisle
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Convenient and Ready-to-Eat: Perfect for quick meals or snacks without any preparation.
- Flavorful Combination: The blend of white chicken meat, cranberries, and pecans offers a sweet and savory taste.
- Versatile Usage: Can be enjoyed on its own, in sandwiches, or over salads.
- Textural Variety: Crunchy celery and nuts contrast nicely with tender chicken
- Affordable: Priced at $4.49 for an 11-ounce container, offering good value.
Cons
- Sweetness Level: The salad leans towards the sweeter side, which might not appeal to those preferring savory flavors.
- Dressing Consistency: Some may find the dressing slightly more liquid than desired.
- Caloric Content: Higher in calories, fat, and sugar compared to some other options.
- Not for Everyone: If you're accustomed to traditional savory chicken salads, this might be a departure from your preference.
judilyn says
That's pretty much how I make chicken salad for picnics, but with the proportions that you state. The photo doesn't make it look at all appetizing. Cranberries and pecans is a great combination, though. I use it frequently.
Virtual hugs,
Judie
becomebetty says
Thanks Judilyn! I couldn't agree more
judilyn says
I'm really enjoying your reviews!
pauldaviescartoons says
Enjoy your reviews as ever, not surprised that it's sweet with cane sugar listed twice in the ingredients and honey. I'd give it a wide berth as it would give most people a wide girth!
Amy B says
Before they reformulated this, it was much better. It wasn't as saucy and the nutritional information was much healthier.
becomebetty says
That's good to know. Thanks for sharing this information Amy.
Pete V says
I'm trying to pick my way through one right now and It's disgustingly sweet - hard to imagine anyone enjoying this.
The math is a little funny on the label pictured in this post - I think it's been updated since. Total weight 326 grams (11.5 oz), suggested serving size 113 grams (1/2 cup). 350 calories per serving. If one were to eat the entire container - and it's not a large container - that would be like drinking more than seven 12-ounce Coca-Colas.
becomebetty says
Hey Pete! It's possible they might have changed the recipe on this since the last time I posted the review. Unfortunately, I disliked this item so much I'm a bit reluctant to go back and retry it. Thanks for the update!
xtina says
I'm super late to the party, but I just tasted this chicken salad for the very first time today! I'm bummed because it was way too sweet and saucy for me, and I detected a strange aftertaste reminiscent of caraway seed (even though it's not in the ingredient list). Don't get me wrong, I like caraway, but it threw me off as I wasn't expecting it here.
becomebetty says
Hey Xtina!
This item wasn't my favorite either. Thanks for taking the time out of your day to stop by and share your thoughts on this!