Simple Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe Everyone Loves

Crisp autumn leaves crunch beneath your feet as you dream up a mouthwatering cranberry pecan chicken salad that promises to delight every taste bud.

Tender chunks of perfectly seasoned chicken mingle with sweet, tart cranberries and crunchy pecans in this irresistible dish.

The salad bursts with layers of texture and flavor that dance across your palate.

Bright, fresh ingredients come together to create a meal that feels both elegant and comforting.

Toasted pecans add a delightful nutty crunch that elevates every single bite.

Each forkful brings a symphony of tastes that blend seamlessly, making this salad more than just a meal, it’s an experience.

You’ll want to savor every delectable moment of this culinary masterpiece.

Why Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Is a Hit

• Adapt the recipe to suit personal tastes by swapping ingredients or adjusting seasoning, creating a versatile dish that welcomes creativity and experimentation.
• Combine protein-rich chicken, crunchy pecans, and antioxidant-packed cranberries for a balanced meal that satisfies hunger and provides essential nutrients.
• Delight family and friends with a classic chicken salad that offers a perfect blend of textures and flavors, making it ideal for gatherings, potlucks, and casual dining.

What Goes Into Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

• Chicken: A lean protein that serves as the main component of the salad.

• Dried Cranberries, Pecans: Add a sweet and crunchy texture to complement the chicken.

• Celery, Green Onions: Provide a fresh and crisp element to the salad.

• Mayonnaise, Lemon Juice, Honey: Create a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet dressing that binds the ingredients together.

• Salt, Garlic Powder, Black Pepper: Enhance the overall flavor profile of the chicken salad.

How to Assemble Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Step 1: Chop and Prep Ingredients

Take your cooked chicken and slice it into bite-sized morsels.

Roughly chop the dried cranberries and pecans.

Dice the celery into tiny pieces and finely slice the green onions.

Arrange all ingredients on your cutting board for easy access.

Step 2: Mix Salad Base

• Chopped chicken
• Cranberries
• Pecans
• Celery
• Green onions

Gently stir the ingredients so each component is evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Step 3: Whisk Creamy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Lemon juice
• Honey
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper

Whisk until the dressing becomes smooth and well-incorporated, creating a tangy and sweet sauce.

Step 4: Dress and Coat

Pour the prepared dressing over the chicken mixture.

Carefully fold the dressing into the salad, ensuring every morsel gets a light, even coating.

The goal is a creamy consistency where the dressing hugs the ingredients without overwhelming them.

Step 5: Enhance with Toasted Pecans

Heat a dry skillet over medium flame.

Add pecans and stir constantly for 3-4 minutes until they become fragrant and slightly darker.

Remove from heat and let cool briefly before chopping.

These toasted pecans will add a rich, nutty dimension to your salad.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Spoon the salad onto croissants, nestled in soft rolls, or spread over a bed of fresh greens.

This versatile dish works perfectly for lunch, picnics, or a quick dinner.

Each bite promises a delightful blend of textures and flavors.

Tips for Best Cranberry Chicken Salad Results

• Toast pecans before adding them to enhance their nutty, rich taste and create a deeper, more complex flavor profile.
• Adjust mayonnaise amount to control thickness, ensuring the salad is perfectly coated without becoming too wet or dry.
• Make the chicken salad a day in advance, allowing flavors to meld and intensify in the refrigerator for even more delicious results.
• Substitute Greek yogurt for half the mayonnaise to reduce calories and add a tangy, protein-rich twist to the classic dish.
• Experiment with serving options like lettuce wraps, stuffed avocados, or atop crisp mixed greens for variety and nutrition.

Store and Reheat Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

• Transfer chicken salad to an airtight container and seal tightly. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days, keeping the salad fresh and preventing bacterial growth. Always use clean utensils when serving to maintain quality.
• Pack the salad in a freezer-safe container, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for maximum 1-2 months. Note that mayonnaise-based salads might separate slightly upon thawing, so gently stir before serving.
• Thaw refrigerated or frozen chicken salad in the fridge overnight. Gently stir to restore consistency. For best taste and texture, consume cold or at room temperature rather than heating, as warming may cause mayonnaise to break down.
• Divide salad into smaller portions before storing. This prevents repeatedly exposing the entire batch to temperature changes, which can compromise food safety and quality.

Great Pairings for Cranberry Chicken Salad

• Pair Crisp White Wine: Refresh your Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, which complement the salad's tangy and sweet flavor profile while cutting through the creamy dressing.
• Serve with Artisan Bread: Accompany the salad with rustic sourdough or hearty multigrain bread, offering a delightful textural contrast and additional substance to the light, vibrant chicken mixture.
• Match with Sparkling Water Spritzer: Create a zesty non-alcoholic pairing by mixing sparkling water with a splash of lemon or cranberry juice, mirroring the salad's bright and fruity undertones while providing a palate-cleansing effect.
• Complement with Light Green Salad: Add a simple mixed greens salad with a light vinaigrette to enhance the meal, providing extra freshness and creating a well-rounded dining experience that balances the creamy chicken salad.

Swaps for Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

• Low-Carb Lettuce Wrap Version: Replace croissants or rolls with large lettuce leaves for a carb-conscious alternative, perfect for keto and low-carb diets.
• Greek Yogurt Lighter Twist: Substitute half the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt to reduce calories and add protein while maintaining creamy texture.
• Vegan Protein Swap: Replace chicken with diced firm tofu or chickpeas, using vegan mayonnaise to create a plant-based version of the salad.
• Herb-Infused Variation: Add fresh chopped herbs like dill, parsley, or tarragon to enhance the salad's flavor profile and introduce a bright, fresh element.

FAQs

• What ingredients make this chicken salad unique?

Dried cranberries and pecans add a sweet-nutty contrast to the savory chicken, creating a balanced flavor profile that sets this recipe apart from traditional chicken salads.

• Can I use different nuts instead of pecans?

Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds work great as substitutes and will provide similar crunch and nutty flavor to the salad.

• Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Yes, this chicken salad can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, making it perfect for quick lunches or grab-and-go meals.

• How can I make this recipe healthier?

Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, choose grilled chicken breast, and add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or spinach to boost nutritional value.

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Cranberry pecan chicken salad brings delightful Mediterranean flavors to your plate, blending crisp greens with tender chicken. Savory pecans and tart cranberries create a perfect balance, making this dish a refreshing choice you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 2.5 cups chicken, cooked

Fruits and Nuts:

• 0.5 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
• 0.33 cup pecans, chopped

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 0.33 cup celery, diced
• 0.25 cup green onion, chopped

Dressing and Spices:

• 0.75 cup mayonnaise
• 4 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.125 teaspoon black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the foundational ingredients by dicing chicken into bite-sized morsels, roughly chopping dried cranberries and pecans, and finely mincing celery and green onions. Organize ingredients for seamless preparation.
2. Transfer chopped chicken, cranberries, pecans, celery, and green onions into a spacious mixing bowl. Gently toss components to ensure uniform distribution and balanced flavor profile.
3. Create dressing by whisking mayonnaise, lemon juice, honey, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper in a separate container. Blend until smooth and well-incorporated, achieving a harmonious tangy-sweet consistency.
4. Drizzle prepared dressing over the chicken mixture. Delicately fold ingredients, ensuring each component receives a light, even coating without oversaturating the salad.
5. Enhance serving presentation by spooning salad onto croissants, rolls, or fresh greens. Alternatively, enjoy directly from the bowl for a casual dining experience.
6. Optional flavor enhancement: Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring continuously. Remove when fragrant and slightly darkened. Allow brief cooling before incorporating into the salad, elevating the nutty undertones.

Notes

• Customize the chicken by using leftover grilled, roasted, or rotisserie chicken for added depth and convenience.
• Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or a lighter mayo for a healthier, lower-calorie version that maintains creamy texture.
• Consider adding fresh herbs like chopped dill or parsley to brighten the flavor profile and introduce a fresh, vibrant element.
• Make the salad gluten-free by serving on lettuce wraps or gluten-free bread instead of traditional croissants or rolls.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 16 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg