Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

by

Yield

6 servings

Prep Time

15 minutes

Chill Time

30 minutes (optional)

Ingredients

For the Salad

  • 4 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
  • 1 cup celery, finely diced
  • ¾ cup dried cranberries
  • ¾ cup pecans, chopped
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

For the Dressing

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

  1. Cook and cool chicken completely.
  2. Dice celery and onion.
  3. Chop pecans into small pieces.

Step 2: Make Dressing

In a large bowl combine:

  • Mayonnaise
  • Greek yogurt
  • Lemon juice
  • Dijon mustard
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Whisk until smooth.

Step 3: Mix Salad

Add:

  • Chicken
  • Celery
  • Cranberries
  • Pecans
  • Onion (if using)

Stir until everything is evenly coated.

Step 4: Chill

Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

Step 5: Serve

Serve:

  • On croissants
  • In sandwiches
  • With crackers
  • Over lettuce
  • In wraps

Nutrition Information

Per Serving (Approximate)

Nutrient Amount
Calories 390
Protein 28 g
Carbohydrates 15 g
Fiber 2 g
Sugars 11 g
Fat 24 g
Saturated Fat 4 g
Cholesterol 80 mg
Sodium 420 mg

Values vary depending on the chicken, mayonnaise, and ingredient brands used.

Nut Information

Pecans

  • Tree nut allergen.
  • Rich in healthy monounsaturated fats.
  • Good source of:
    • Manganese
    • Copper
    • Zinc
    • Fiber

Nut-Free Substitute

Replace pecans with:

  • Sunflower seeds
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Roasted chickpeas

Allergy Warning

Contains:

  • Tree nuts (pecans)
  • Eggs (mayonnaise)

May also contain:

  • Milk (if yogurt or sour cream is used)

Storage

Refrigerator

  • Store in an airtight container.
  • Keeps for 3–4 days.

Freezer

  • Not recommended.
  • Mayo-based dressings tend to separate after thawing.

Variations

Apple Cranberry Chicken Salad

Add:

  • 1 diced apple

Walnut Version

Replace pecans with:

  • ¾ cup walnuts

Healthier Version

Use:

  • Half mayonnaise
  • Half Greek yogurt

Sweet & Savory Version

Add:

  • 1 tablespoon honey

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken?

A: Yes. Rotisserie chicken works very well and adds extra flavor.

Q: Can I make it ahead of time?

A: Yes. It can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance.

Q: Is this recipe keto-friendly?

A: Mostly, but dried cranberries add sugar. Use unsweetened cranberries or reduce the amount for a lower-carb version.

Q: What bread works best?

A: Croissants, brioche, whole wheat bread, and sandwich rolls are all excellent choices.

Q: Can I substitute the mayonnaise?

A: Yes. Greek yogurt, avocado mayo, or a combination of yogurt and mayo work well.

Q: Why is my chicken salad dry?

A: Add an extra tablespoon or two of mayonnaise or yogurt and mix again before serving.

Q: What can I serve with it?

A: Fresh fruit, chips, green salad, soup, crackers, or cucumber slices.

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