Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad (Light Version)

by

Creamy • Sweet-Savory • Meal-Prep Gold

“Cranberries + pecans + creamy chicken = OBSESSED” — and for good reason.

 Ingredients (Serves 4)

  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken breast (skinless)
  • ½ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 2 tbsp light mayonnaise (or more yogurt to lower points)
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp honey (optional, for balance)
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • Salt & black pepper, to taste
  • ⅓ cup dried cranberries (reduced sugar if possible)
  • ¼ cup chopped pecans (or almonds)
  • ½ cup celery, finely diced
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp green onions, chopped

 Instructions

  1. Make the dressing:
    In a large bowl, whisk Greek yogurt, light mayo, rice vinegar, honey (if using), garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  2. Add the mix-ins:
    Fold in shredded chicken, cranberries, pecans, celery, red onion, and green onions.
  3. Mix & chill:
    Stir gently until evenly coated. Cover and chill 20–30 minutes for best flavor.
  4. Serve:
    Enjoy cold as-is or in wraps, lettuce cups, or on toast.

 Texture & Flavor Tips

  • Chop everything small for that crave-worthy chopped-salad bite
  • Toast pecans lightly for deeper flavor (optional)
  • Add extra yogurt if it thickens after chilling

 Nut & Allergen Information

 Contains:

  • Dairy (Greek yogurt, mayonnaise)
  • Tree nuts (pecans or almonds)

 Does NOT Contain:

  • Peanuts (unless substituted)
  • Gluten
  • Eggs (unless present in mayonnaise brand)
  • Soy (check mayo label)

 Nut-Free Option:

  • Omit nuts entirely or replace with:
    • Sunflower seeds
    • Pumpkin seeds
    • Extra celery for crunch

 Always check labels for cross-contamination if allergies are severe.

 Approx. Nutrition (Per Serving)

  • Calories: ~230–260
  • Protein: ~22–25 g
  • Fat: ~8–10 g
  • Carbs: ~10–12 g
    (Varies by brand and substitutions)

 Q & A

Q: Can I make this ahead for meal prep?
A: Yes! Keeps well up to 3 days refrigerated in an airtight container.

Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken?
A: Absolutely—just remove skin and keep seasoning light.

Q: Is it sweet?
A: Mildly. Reduce cranberries or skip honey if you prefer more savory.

Q: Can I make it dairy-free?
A: Use dairy-free yogurt and mayo alternatives.

Q: What’s the best way to serve it?
A: In lettuce cups, low-carb wraps, sandwich bread, or with crackers.

Q: Can I freeze it?
A: Not recommended—yogurt-based dressings separate when thawed.

 Easy Variations

  • Extra Asian twist: Add ½ tsp sesame oil (adds sesame allergen)
  • Spicy: Add chili flakes or sriracha
  • Lower points: Use all yogurt, no mayo
  • Crunch swap: Use sliced almonds, cashews, or seeds

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