Creamy, crunchy, sweet, and savory, this Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad combines tender chicken, dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, celery, and a creamy dressing. It’s perfect for sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups, crackers, or a light lunch.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Salad
3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
½ cup dried cranberries
½ cup pecans, chopped
½ cup celery, finely diced
¼ cup red onion, finely diced
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Creamy Dressing
½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken
If using freshly cooked chicken, allow it to cool completely. Shred or dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Make the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, honey, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and garlic powder.
Season with a little salt and black pepper.
- Combine the Salad
Add the chicken, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, celery, red onion, and parsley to a large mixing bowl.
Pour the dressing over the mixture.
- Mix
Gently toss everything together until the chicken and other ingredients are evenly coated.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Chill
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Chilling allows the flavors to blend and makes the salad even more delicious.
How to Serve
Serve your chicken salad:
On croissants or sandwich bread
In lettuce wraps
Inside tortillas or wraps
With crackers
Over a bed of mixed greens
In avocado halves
With cucumber slices
As a meal-prep lunch
Optional Add-Ins
For extra flavor or texture, try adding:
Diced apple
Halved red grapes
Green onions
Chopped toasted almonds
Sunflower seeds
A pinch of cinnamon
A little extra Dijon mustard
Toasting the Pecans
For even better flavor, toast the pecans before adding them.
Place chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium-low heat and toast for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove them as soon as they become fragrant and lightly golden. Cool completely before mixing into the salad.
Nut Information
Contains: Pecans.
Pecans are tree nuts and can cause allergic reactions in people with tree-nut allergies.
Nut-free option: Replace the pecans with roasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. However, if preparing this for someone with a severe nut allergy, check all packaged ingredients and avoid cross-contact during preparation.
Other possible allergens: Mayonnaise and Greek yogurt can contain milk or eggs depending on the product. Dijon mustard may also contain additional ingredients, so check labels when cooking for someone with food allergies.
Approximate Nutrition
Per serving, assuming 6 servings:
Calories: ~330
Protein: ~25 g
Carbohydrates: ~15 g
Fat: ~19 g
Fiber: ~2 g
Sugar: ~10 g
Nutrition will vary depending on the chicken, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, and dried cranberries used.
Storage
Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Keep refrigerated and do not leave the salad at room temperature for extended periods.
For the best texture, add freshly toasted pecans just before serving if you plan to store the salad for several days.
Q&A
Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken?
A: Yes! Rotisserie chicken is a quick and convenient option. Remove the skin and bones, then shred or dice the meat.
Q: Can I make this chicken salad ahead of time?
A: Absolutely. It can be prepared several hours or even a day ahead. The flavors become more blended after chilling.
Q: Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried cranberries?
A: Dried cranberries are recommended because they provide sweetness and chewy texture. Fresh cranberries are much more tart and would need to be prepared differently.
Q: Can I substitute walnuts for pecans?
A: Yes. Chopped walnuts work well, but remember that walnuts are also tree nuts.
Q: How can I make it nut-free?
A: Replace the pecans with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds, provided the other ingredients are safe for the person you’re serving.
Q: Can I make this lighter?
A: Yes. Increase the Greek yogurt and reduce the mayonnaise. You can also use a light mayonnaise.
Q: Can I add grapes?
A: Definitely! Halved red or green grapes add a fresh, juicy sweetness.
Q: Can I use canned chicken?
A: Yes. Drain it very well and break it apart before mixing. Freshly cooked or rotisserie chicken generally provides better texture.
Q: Is this good for meal prep?
A: Yes. Portion it into airtight containers and refrigerate. Keep crackers, bread, or lettuce separate until you’re ready to eat.
Q: Can I freeze chicken salad?
A: Freezing is not recommended because the mayonnaise and yogurt-based dressing can separate and become watery after thawing.
Q: What makes this chicken salad sweet?
A: The dried cranberries and honey provide most of the sweetness, while the lemon juice and Dijon mustard balance it with a little tang.
Q: Can I leave out the honey?
A: Yes. The salad will still taste delicious, especially if your dried cranberries are already sweetened.
Q: What is the best chicken to use?
A: Boneless, skinless chicken breast works especially well, but cooked chicken thighs can be used for a richer flavor.
