Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Guide
Tender chicken, tart cranberries, and crunchy pecans come together in a creamy dressing for a salad that’s both satisfying and bright. It’s versatile enough to serve as a sandwich filling, wrap, salad topper, or simply on its own as a light meal. The mix of savory, sweet, and nutty flavors makes it a crowd-pleaser for lunch, dinner, or even brunch.
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Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad 🐔🍇🥗
Ingredients
| Category | Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Salad | Cooked chicken, diced or shredded | 3 cups |
| Dried cranberries | ½ cup | |
| Pecans, roughly chopped | ¾ cup | |
| Celery, finely diced | 2 stalks | |
| Red onion, finely minced | ¼ cup | |
| Dressing | Mayonnaise | ½ cup |
| Plain Greek yogurt or sour cream | ¼ cup | |
| Dijon mustard | 1 tbsp | |
| Lemon juice | 1 tbsp | |
| Salt | ½ tsp | |
| Black pepper | ¼ tsp | |
| Optional Add-Ins | Diced apple | 1 |
| Fresh parsley | 2 tbsp | |
| Honey | 1 tbsp | |
| Garlic powder | Pinch | |
| Seedless grapes, halved | Handful |
Directions
Step 1: Prep Ingredients
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- Dice or shred chicken.
- Chop pecans, dice celery, mince onion.
- Measure cranberries and other add-ins.
Step 2: Toast Pecans (Optional but Recommended)
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- Heat a dry skillet over medium.
- Add pecans, stir 3–5 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned.
- Cool completely before using.
Step 3: Make Dressing
- In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, yogurt/sour cream, Dijon, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Add honey if you prefer a sweeter flavor.
Step 4: Combine Salad Base
- In a large bowl, add chicken, cranberries, pecans, celery, and onion.
- Toss gently to distribute evenly.
Step 5: Add Dressing
- Pour dressing over the mixture.
- Fold gently until everything is coated—creamy but not soggy.
Step 6: Chill & Serve
- Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes (1–2 hours for best flavor).
- Serve chilled as sandwiches, wraps, or over greens.
