This cranberry pecan chicken salad recipe is full of delicious textures and flavors. Tender chicken, crunchy pecans and tart dried cranberries combine with a creamy dressing that makes the perfect sandwich, snack or salad!
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This has been my favorite chicken salad recipe for years! We love it for a quick and easy dinner, or a delicious lunch. The mixture of flavors and textures is perfect on your favorite bread, served with crackers or even in a lettuce wrap. It is the perfect balance of flavors and textures that makes it irresistible!
Why we love this cranberry pecan chicken salad:
- It is great for making ahead- this is a great chicken salad to meal prep for easy lunches or quick protein filled snacks! It is perfect for parties or for packing for picnics or even road trips!
- It is versatile- you can easily swap out or add ingredients to create a flavor combination that you love!
- It can be made with your favorite poultry- this easy recipe is the perfect way to use leftover chicken or turkey. We love to make it after the holidays!
Ingredients needed to make chicken salad with cranberries and pecans :
Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom for quantities.
Pecan Cranberry Chicken Salad Ingredient notes:
- Cooked Chicken Breast
- Mayonnaise
- Green Onions
- Celery
- Dried Cranberries
- Granny Smith Apple
- Pecans
- Honey
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Substitutions
- Chicken breast can be swapped out for boneless skinless chicken thighs or the meat from a roasted or rotisserie chicken
- In place of the mayo you can use plain Greek yogurt, or salad dressing like Miracle Whip
- If you prefer to replace the chopped pecans with another nut you can, walnuts or slivered almonds are a great replacement.
How to make this recipe
Step 1- Finely dice celery. Peel and finely dice the apples. Thinly slice the green onions about half way up the green part.
Step 2- Place the cooked diced or shredded chicken in a large bowl.
Step 3- Add in cranberries and chopped pecans, chopped veggies and apples.
Step 4- Place mayonnaise and apple cider vinegar in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk until well blended.
Step 5- Add in honey and continue whisking until blended.
Step 6- Pour dressing mixture over the chicken mixture and stir to evenly coat.
Step 7- Cover and chill at least 30 minutes.
How to store leftover chicken salad
This easy chicken salad stores well. Place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Frequently asked questions, answers and tips:
This cranberry pecan chicken salad recipe is a great way to use up leftover chicken from a whole chicken or rotisserie chicken. If I'm cooking chicken specifically for this recipe I like to season it with basic seasonings like salt and pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.
Absolutely! I love this recipe with toasted pecans, it gives another layer of flavor that is delicious! To toast them line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the pecans in a single layer. Place them in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes, stirring halfway through the cooking time. When they are a deep brown and smell nutty they are done.
How to serve this chicken salad
This delicious chicken salad makes a great sandwich or wrap. We love to serve it on fresh rolls, croissants or wrapped in a tortilla or pita. It can also be served in a lettuce wrap or on a bed of greens for a super easy salad. We also love to finely dice the chicken and serve it with a variety of crackers.
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 3 Cups Chopped Cooked Chicken
- ¾ Cup Dried Cranberries
- ½ Cup Chopped Pecans
- ½ Medium Size Granny Smith Apple
- 3-4 Green Onions
- 2 Stalks Celery
Dressing-
- ½ Cup Mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoon Honey
- 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
Instructions
- Finely dice celery. Peel and finely dice the apples. Thinly slice the green onions about half way up the green part.3-4 Green Onions, 2 Stalks Celery, ½ Medium Size Granny Smith Apple
- Place the cooked diced or shredded chicken in a large bowl.3 Cups Chopped Cooked Chicken
- Add in cranberries and chopped pecans, chopped veggies and apples.¾ Cup Dried Cranberries, ½ Cup Chopped Pecans
- Place mayonnaise and apple cider vinegar in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk until well blended.½ Cup Mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- Add in honey and continue whisking until blended.2 tablespoon Honey
- Pour dressing mixture over the chicken mixture and stir to evenly coat.
- Cover and chill at least 30 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
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