Best Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe
Add Preferred SourceThis Chicken Salad recipe is perfect for a quick, tasty meal. It mixes up juicy chicken with tangy cranberries and crunchy pecans for a fun twist on the classic chicken salad. Easy to throw together and delicious to boot, it’s great for lunches, dinners, or anytime you need a filling little bite in your day!
Why you will love making Chicken Salad with Cranberries and Pecans
Here’s why this recipe is bound to become a favorite:
- Quick and Easy: You can toss this salad together in just a few minutes, especially if you use pre-cooked chicken.
- Healthy and Satisfying: Packed with lean protein and fresh ingredients, it’s a meal that fills you up without weighing you down.
- Plenty of Serving Options: Serve it on greens, in a wrap, or as a hearty sandwich filling—this salad flexes to your mealtime needs.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual lunch or part of a festive brunch spread, it fits right in.
- Deliciously Balanced Flavors: The sweetness of cranberries and the nutty crunch of pecans make every bite a treat.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Make a big batch—it keeps well, making your weekday lunches a breeze.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to make Chicken Salad with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Creating this scrumptious Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad is super straightforward. Here’s how to put it all together:
Mix It Up
In a large mixing bowl, combine your chicken, celery, yogurt (or mayo), mustard, cranberries, and pecans.
Season to Taste
Sprinkle in some salt and pepper, then give everything a gentle mix. Taste your salad and adjust the seasoning if needed—this is key to making sure it’s just right!
Serve It Your Way
If you’re going the salad route, lay down a bed of mixed greens or lettuce leaves on a plate or in a bowl. Heap a generous scoop of chicken salad right on top. For a sandwich, spread it thick between slices of your favorite bread or stuff it into a pita. Enjoying it solo or with crackers works great too!
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- ½ cup yogurt or mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup toasted pecans chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cups mixed greens
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded or diced chicken, diced celery, Greek yogurt (or mayonnaise), Dijon mustard, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, salt, and black pepper.3 cups cooked shredded chicken, 2 stalks celery, ½ cup yogurt, 1 tablespoon mustard, ½ cup dried cranberries, ½ cup toasted pecans, Salt and pepper to taste
- Using a large spoon or spatula, gently fold the ingredients together until evenly combined and the chicken is fully coated with the dressing.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
- If serving as a salad, arrange a bed of lettuce leaves or mixed greens on a plate or in a bowl.
- Scoop a generous portion of the cranberry pecan chicken salad over the greens.4 cups mixed greens
- Alternatively, you can serve the chicken salad on its own, in a sandwich, or with crackers or bread on the side.
Notes
- Chicken: You can use either home-cooked chicken breasts or grab a rotisserie chicken from the store for convenience. Both work great! You can also use canned chicken if you’re in a pinch. Just make sure to drain it well before mixing it in.
- Pecans: Instead of pecans, walnuts, almonds, or even sunflower seeds make great substitutes if you’re out of pecans or just want to try something different.
- Yogurt vs. Mayo: For a lighter version, opt for Greek yogurt. If you’re all about that creamy texture, go with mayonnaise.
- Toasted Nuts: Toasting the pecans before adding them to the salad enhances their flavor and crunch. Just a few minutes in a dry skillet, air fryer, or oven can make a big difference.
- Flavor Boost: Don’t shy away from adding a squeeze of lemon juice or a sprinkle of fresh herbs like dill or parsley to brighten up the dish.
- Adjust the Crunch: If you prefer a salad with more texture, feel free to add more celery or even some chopped apples for extra crunch and a bit of sweetness.
- Make Ahead: This salad tastes even better after the flavors have melded together in the fridge for a couple of hours.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerate: Keep the salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It should stay good for 3 to 5 days.
- Separate the Greens: If you mixed your salad with lettuce or other greens and have leftovers, it’s best to store the salad and greens separately to keep the greens from getting soggy.
- Refresh Before Serving: If the salad looks a bit dry after a couple of days, stir in a little extra yogurt or mayo to bring back the creamy texture before serving.
Nutrition
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
Here are a few pointers to help you nail this Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad every time:
- Chicken: You can use either home-cooked chicken breasts or grab a rotisserie chicken from the store for convenience. Both work great! You can also use canned chicken if you’re in a pinch. Just make sure to drain it well before mixing it in.
- Pecans: Instead of pecans, walnuts, almonds, or even sunflower seeds make great substitutes if you’re out of pecans or just want to try something different.
- Yogurt vs. Mayo: For a lighter version, opt for Greek yogurt. If you’re all about that creamy texture, go with mayonnaise.
- Toasted Nuts: Toasting the pecans before adding them to the salad enhances their flavor and crunch. Just a few minutes in a dry skillet, air fryer, or oven can make a big difference.
- Flavor Boost: Don’t shy away from adding a squeeze of lemon juice or a sprinkle of fresh herbs like dill or parsley to brighten up the dish.
- Adjust the Crunch: If you prefer a salad with more texture, feel free to add more celery or even some chopped apples for extra crunch and a bit of sweetness.
- Make Ahead: This salad tastes even better after the flavors have melded together in the fridge for a couple of hours.
How to Store Leftover Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Keeping your Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad tasting fresh is easy with the right storage tips:
- Refrigerate: Keep the salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It should stay good for 3 to 5 days.
- Separate the Greens: If you mixed your salad with lettuce or other greens and have leftovers, it’s best to store the salad and greens separately to keep the greens from getting soggy.
- Refresh Before Serving: If the salad looks a bit dry after a couple of days, stir in a little extra yogurt or mayo to bring back the creamy texture before serving.
Our Top 3 Money-Saving Tips for This Recipe
Making Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad doesn’t have to break the bank. Here’s how you can keep it budget-friendly:
- Bulk Buy Nuts: Purchase nuts like pecans in bulk and store them in the freezer. They’ll stay fresh longer this way.
- Grow Your Greens: If you love salads, consider growing your own greens like lettuce or mixed greens. They’re easy to grow and you can’t get fresher than your backyard.
- Repurpose Leftover Chicken: Use leftover chicken from other meals to make this salad, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
What to Serve with Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Here are some tasty ideas to turn your salad into a full meal:
Quinoa or Couscous
These grains make for a hearty, nutritious side that complements the textures in your salad. They’re mild in flavor, so they won’t overpower the taste of the chicken salad but will help bulk up your meal if you’re extra hungry.
Baked Potatoes or Sweet Potatoes
Serve your Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad over a warm baked potato or sweet potato for a comforting twist. The soft potatoes make a hearty base that goes well with the tangy cranberries and crunchy pecans perfectly, turning a simple salad into a satisfying meal.
Cheese Plate
Create a small cheese plate with a selection of mild cheeses, like Swiss, gouda, or a soft goat cheese. Cheese adds a creamy texture that balances the crisp ingredients in the salad, and it’s always a hit for adding an extra touch of indulgence to your meal setup.
It always plays an important part in my Christmas menu; I love serving this salad, along with my Christmas favorites, like chocolate chocolate chip cookies.
