Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Refreshing and Simple – Recipe Website
Homemade Salads – Milam’s Market
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad – Simply Macros
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This Cranberry Chicken Salad is creamy, flavorful, and packed with tender chicken, sweet dried cranberries, crunchy celery, and toasted pecans. A tangy dressing made with mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, and a touch of Dijon mustard brings all the flavors together.
It’s perfect for quick lunches, meal prep, picnics, sandwiches, or serving over a bed of crisp lettuce. Best of all, it takes about 15 minutes to prepare when you already have cooked chicken on hand.
Recipe Details
Prep time
15 minutes
Cook time
0 minutes with cooked chicken
Servings
4 servings
Total time
15 minutes, plus chilling if desired
Ingredients
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Tasty and Nutritious Snack – Recipe Website
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup celery, finely chopped
- ⅓ cup pecans, chopped and lightly toasted
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional additions:
- ¼ cup diced red apple for extra crunch
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
- A handful of baby spinach or mixed greens for serving
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the chicken
Use fully cooked, cooled chicken breast. Shred it with two forks or cut it into small bite-sized pieces.
Rotisserie chicken is a convenient option and adds extra flavor. If cooking chicken specifically for this recipe, allow it to cool before mixing it with the dressing.
Step 2: Chop the salad ingredients
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad – Simply Macros
Finely chop the celery and red onion. Roughly chop the pecans and toast them in a dry skillet over medium-low heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Let them cool.
Keep the cranberries whole or roughly chop them if you prefer smaller bites.
Step 3: Make the creamy dressing
Southern Chicken Salad Recipe – A Salad Made With Fresh Produce
In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Whisk until smooth and creamy. Taste the dressing and add a little more lemon juice or seasoning if needed.
Step 4: Combine everything
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Refreshing and Simple – Recipe Website
Add the cooked chicken, dried cranberries, celery, red onion, and toasted pecans to a large mixing bowl.
Pour the dressing over the ingredients and stir gently until everything is evenly coated. Fold in the fresh parsley.
If you’re adding diced apple, mix it in at this stage for a sweet, crisp bite.
Step 5: Chill for the best flavor
5 Heart Healthy Chicken Salad Recipes
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes if you have time. This allows the flavors to blend and makes the salad even more delicious.
If the salad seems too thick after chilling, stir in a teaspoon of lemon juice or Greek yogurt to loosen it slightly.
Step 6: Serve and enjoy
Homemade Salads – Milam’s Market
Spoon the cranberry chicken salad into a serving bowl and garnish with extra cranberries, chopped pecans, and parsley.
Enjoy it in a croissant, between slices of whole-grain bread, wrapped in a tortilla, or served over fresh lettuce for a lighter meal.
Tips for the Best Cranberry Chicken Salad
- Use tender chicken: Rotisserie chicken or leftover roasted chicken works beautifully.
- Toast the pecans: A quick toast enhances their nutty flavor.
- Balance the sweetness: Lemon juice and Dijon mustard help balance the sweet cranberries.
- Keep the texture: Dice the celery finely but leave the pecans slightly chunky.
- Adjust the creaminess: Add a little more mayonnaise for a richer salad or Greek yogurt for a tangier dressing.
- Make it ahead: The flavors develop nicely after a short chill in the refrigerator.
Delicious Variations
Apple Cranberry Chicken Salad
Add diced apple for extra crunch and a fresh, sweet flavor.
Creamy Cranberry Chicken Salad with Pecans and Fresh Vegetables – Yumrica
Lighter Chicken Salad
Replace some or all of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt for a tangier dressing.
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad – Beyond The Chicken Coop
Cranberry Chicken Salad Sandwich
Serve on croissants, toasted sourdough, or whole-grain bread with crisp lettuce.
Cranberry walnut chicken salad Nutrition
Walnut Cranberry Chicken Salad
Substitute walnuts for pecans or use sunflower seeds for a different crunch.
What to Serve with Cranberry Chicken Salad
- Buttery croissants or toasted bread
- Crackers or pita chips
- Fresh cucumber and tomato slices
- A simple green salad
- Vegetable soup
- Fresh fruit, such as grapes or apple slices
Storage and Meal Prep
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container at 40°F (4°C) or below for up to 3–4 days.
- Freezing: Freezing isn’t recommended because the mayonnaise-based dressing may separate and the celery can lose its crunch.
- Meal prep: Prepare the salad a day ahead for convenient lunches.
- Food safety: Refrigerate within 2 hours of preparation, or within 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F (32°C).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned chicken?
Yes. Drain it well and gently break it into small pieces before mixing it with the dressing and other ingredients.
Can I make cranberry chicken salad without nuts?
Absolutely. Leave out the pecans or replace them with roasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds, if suitable for your dietary needs.
Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried cranberries?
Dried cranberries are recommended because they’re sweeter and softer. Fresh cranberries are much more tart, so finely chop them and consider adding a small amount of honey to balance the flavor.
Why is my chicken salad watery?
Excess moisture from the chicken or vegetables can thin the dressing. Cool the chicken completely, drain any excess liquid, and add the dressing gradually.
Is cranberry chicken salad good for meal prep?
Yes! It makes an excellent make-ahead lunch. Store it in a sealed container and serve it with fresh bread, lettuce, or crackers when ready to eat.
Printable Recipe Card
Cranberry Chicken Salad
Chicken Cranberry Salad: Sweet & Tangy Bliss in Every Bite! – No Spoon Necessary
A creamy, sweet-and-savory chicken salad with dried cranberries, crunchy celery, and toasted pecans.
PREP
15 min
COOK
0 min
SERVINGS4
Ingredients
Cooked chicken, shredded
3 cups
Dried cranberries
0.5 cup
Celery, chopped
0.5 cup
Pecans, chopped
0.33 cup
Red onion, diced
0.25 cup
Mayonnaise
0.33 cup
Plain Greek yogurt
0.25 cup
Dijon mustard
1 tsp
Fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp
Fresh parsley
1 tbsp
Garlic powder
0.25 tsp
Salt and black pepper
To taste
Instructions
- Shred or dice the cooked, cooled chicken.
- Chop the celery and red onion. Toast the pecans briefly in a dry skillet and let cool.
- Whisk mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add chicken, cranberries, celery, onion, and pecans to a bowl.
- Fold in the dressing and parsley until evenly combined.
- Chill for 20–30 minutes if desired, then serve in sandwiches, wraps, or over lettuce.
