Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
This Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad is creamy, crunchy, and bursting with sweet and savory flavors. Tender chicken, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and crisp celery come together in a simple dressing that’s perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or lettuce cups.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes (for toasting pecans, optional)
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
Chicken Salad
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works great)
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup pecans, chopped and lightly toasted
- 2 celery stalks, finely diced
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt (or more mayonnaise)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Toast the pecans (optional): Place the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant. Let cool.
- Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Combine: Add the chicken, cranberries, pecans, celery, green onions, and red onion (if using). Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Stir before serving and enjoy chilled.
Tips
- Rotisserie chicken makes this recipe quick and flavorful.
- Toasting the pecans enhances their nutty flavor and crunch.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less honey.
- If the salad thickens after chilling, stir in a tablespoon of milk or lemon juice to loosen the dressing.
Variations
- Apple Cranberry: Add 1 diced Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apple.
- Grape Chicken Salad: Fold in 1 cup halved red grapes.
- Extra Crunch: Add sliced almonds or sunflower seeds.
- Herb Fresh: Stir in 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or dill.
Serving Suggestions
Serve:
- On croissants or sandwich bread
- In wraps or pita pockets
- Over a bed of mixed greens
- In lettuce cups for a low-carb meal
- With crackers for an easy appetizer
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Stir before serving.
Do not freeze, as the mayonnaise-based dressing may separate and become watery when thawed.