Introduction
This cranberry pecan chicken salad brings together everything you want in a satisfying salad: tender chicken, crunchy pecans, sweet-tart dried cranberries, crisp vegetables, and a creamy dressing. It’s simple enough for lunch but delicious enough to serve at a family gathering.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Chicken Salad
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped
- ½ cup celery, finely diced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Creamy Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
👩🍳 Instructions
- Place the cooked chicken in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the dried cranberries, chopped pecans, celery, red onion, and parsley.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, honey, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and garlic powder.
- Season the dressing with a little salt and black pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture.
- Gently fold everything together until evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or more before serving. This gives the flavors time to come together.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving.
🥪 Serving Ideas
Enjoy it:
- In a sandwich or wrap
- Over lettuce or mixed greens
- With crackers
- In a croissant
- Alongside fresh fruit
- Straight from the bowl!
✨ Helpful Tips
For extra crunch: Toast the pecans lightly in a dry skillet, then let them cool before adding them.
For extra freshness: Add diced apple or grapes.
For a lighter dressing: Increase the Greek yogurt and reduce the mayonnaise.
For meal prep: Keep the salad refrigerated in a sealed container and follow the storage guidance for the cooked chicken and dairy ingredients you use.
📜 A Little History
Chicken salad has become a classic in many American kitchens, with countless variations developed around a simple combination of cooked chicken and a creamy dressing. Sweet additions such as cranberries and grapes and crunchy ingredients such as pecans give this version its distinctive sweet-and-savory character.
💛 Why You’ll Love It
- Creamy and crunchy at the same time
- Sweet, tangy, and savory
- Quick to assemble
- Great for lunches
- Easy to customize
- A delicious way to use leftover cooked chicken
❤️ Final Thoughts
Once you try this combination of chicken, cranberries, pecans, and creamy dressing, it’s easy to see why it becomes a repeat recipe. Make a batch, chill it well, and enjoy it throughout the week.
💬 Must express something to keep getting my recipes… Thank you! ❤️
Comment “THANK YOU” if you’d save this recipe, and don’t forget to share it with someone who loves chicken salad! 🥗✨