Zingy Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe for Fresh Meals

Whipping up a delightful cranberry pecan chicken salad brings together classic flavors in a surprisingly refreshing way.

Crisp greens and tender chicken create a perfect protein-packed meal for any occasion.

Tart cranberries add a bright pop of color and tangy sweetness to each bite.

Crunchy pecans provide a delectable nutty texture that complements the soft chicken pieces.

Seasonal ingredients make this salad an instant crowd-pleaser that you can customize to your taste.

Mixing fresh herbs and a light vinaigrette will elevate this simple dish from ordinary to extraordinary.

Let’s dive into a recipe that promises to become your new favorite lunch option.

Why Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Just Works

• Customize with Ease: Mix and match ingredients to suit personal taste preferences or dietary needs, making this chicken salad adaptable for any palate.
• Nutritional Powerhouse: Packed with lean protein from chicken, healthy fats from pecans, and antioxidants from cranberries, this recipe delivers a balanced and satisfying meal.
• Quick and Convenient Preparation: Requires minimal cooking skills and uses simple ingredients, perfect for busy individuals seeking a delicious and nutritious option.
• Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy as a sandwich filling, salad topping, or standalone dish, making it suitable for lunch, picnics, meal prep, and casual gatherings.

The Fresh Ingredients That Make This Salad Shine

• Cooked Chicken: A tender, shredded base that provides the main protein and substance for the salad.

• Celery: A crisp vegetable that adds a refreshing texture and light flavor to the dish.

• Dried Cranberries, Chopped Pecans: These ingredients bring sweet-tart bursts and nutty richness to complement the chicken.

• Mayonnaise, Greek Yogurt: A creamy base that creates a smooth and rich dressing texture.
• Dijon Mustard, Honey: Ingredients that add tangy and sweet notes to balance the dressing.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Seasonings that enhance the overall flavor profile of the salad.

• Fresh Parsley: A bright herb that adds color and a fresh, herbaceous note to the final dish.

Toss Together the Perfect Cranberry Chicken Salad

Step 1: Prepare Chicken

Grab your cooked chicken and tear it into small, bite-sized pieces using two forks. Make sure the pieces are roughly the same size for a consistent texture and flavor in every spoonful.

Step 2: Chop Crisp Vegetables

Finely dice the celery to add a delightful crunch that’ll wake up the entire salad. Slice the pieces small enough to blend seamlessly with the chicken.

Step 3: Mix Primary Ingredients

Toss the shredded chicken and diced celery into a large mixing bowl. This will be the hearty foundation of your salad.

Step 4: Add Flavor Boosters

• Dried cranberries
• Chopped pecans

These additions will bring sweet-tart bursts and nutty depth to your dish.

Step 5: Whip Up Creamy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Greek yogurt
• Dijon mustard
• Honey
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk until the dressing looks creamy and well combined.

Step 6: Combine and Coat

Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture. Gently fold everything together, ensuring each morsel gets a perfect coating without becoming soggy.

Step 7: Add Fresh Herbs

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top to bring a bright, green pop of color and fresh herbaceous flavor.

Step 8: Chill and Develop Flavors

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This waiting time allows all the flavors to mingle and become more delicious.

Step 9: Final Stir

Before serving, give the salad a quick stir to redistribute the ingredients and dressing.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the salad chilled. It’s perfect on its own, tucked into a sandwich, or nestled on a bed of crisp lettuce leaves.

Salad-Making Tips for Flavor and Texture

• Shred with Precision: Cut chicken into uniform, bite-sized pieces to guarantee consistent flavor in every spoonful.
• Boost Texture Contrast: Dice celery finely to create a satisfying crunch against the soft chicken's tender texture.
• Dress Wisely: Fold dressing gently to coat ingredients evenly without drowning the salad, maintaining the perfect moisture balance.
• Elevate Flavor Depth: Add dried cranberries and pecans for sweet-tart bursts and nutty richness that transform the basic chicken salad.
• Chill for Harmony: Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to meld and develop a more complex taste profile.

Pecan Chicken Salad—Fun Ways to Remix It

• Low-Carb Lettuce Wraps: Replace pecans with sunflower seeds, use greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, and serve inside large lettuce leaves for a low-carb alternative.
• Mediterranean Chicken Salad: Swap dried cranberries with kalamata olives, add crumbled feta cheese, and replace pecans with toasted pine nuts for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Vegan Protein Option: Substitute chicken with chickpeas or cubed extra-firm tofu, use vegan mayonnaise, and replace honey with maple syrup to create a plant-based alternative.
• Spicy Southwest Variation: Add diced jalapeños, replace dijon mustard with chipotle sauce, incorporate chopped cilantro, and mix in black beans for a zesty southwestern-style chicken salad.

What Goes Well With Cranberry Chicken Salad? Try These

• Pair Zesty White Wine with Fresh Herbs: Crisp sauvignon blanc complements the tangy dijon mustard and bright parsley, cutting through the creamy dressing with its acidic notes.
• Serve Alongside Rustic Whole Grain Bread: Toasted artisan bread provides a crunchy textural contrast to the tender chicken and soft salad, enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Complement with Sparkling Water and Cucumber: Chilled sparkling water with cucumber slices offers a light, refreshing accompaniment that cleanses the palate between bites, balancing the rich, creamy salad.
• Match with Crisp Apple Slaw: A side of tangy apple slaw with similar nutty and sweet elements echoes the salad's cranberry and pecan profile, creating a harmonious flavor progression.

Keep Your Chicken Salad Fresh and Flavorful

• Store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping the salad fresh and preventing bacterial growth. Place in the coldest part of the refrigerator to maintain optimal quality.
• Not recommended due to mayonnaise and yogurt base, which can separate and lose texture when thawed. The creamy dressing will become watery and unappetizing.
• Divide into smaller containers for easy grab-and-go lunches, preventing unnecessary waste and maintaining freshness for individual servings.
• Consume cold, as warming this chicken salad will compromise its creamy texture and potentially cause ingredients to break down or become soggy.

FAQs About This Chicken Salad Classic

• What makes the dressing special in this chicken salad?

The dressing combines mayonnaise, greek yogurt, dijon mustard, and honey, creating a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet base that elevates the entire salad’s flavor profile.

• Can I use different nuts instead of pecans?

Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds work great as substitutes, providing a similar crunchy texture and nutty flavor to complement the chicken and dried cranberries.

• How do I keep the chicken salad from becoming dry?

Gently fold the dressing into the ingredients, ensuring even coating without over-mixing. The greek yogurt helps maintain moisture, and letting the salad rest in the refrigerator helps flavors meld and prevents dryness.

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Cranberry pecan chicken salad brings together tender chicken, crisp greens, and sweet-tart berries in a delightful medley of flavors. Nutty pecans and zesty dressing complete this refreshing dish that will make lunches and light dinners deliciously memorable.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins and Base:

• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 1/2 cup diced celery

Main Fruits and Nuts:

• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup chopped pecans

Dressing and Seasonings:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces, ensuring uniform texture and size for consistent flavor distribution.
2. Finely dice the celery to provide a crisp, refreshing crunch that complements the tender chicken.
3. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken and diced celery, creating a protein-rich base for the salad.
4. Fold in the dried cranberries and chopped pecans, which will introduce bursts of sweet-tart flavor and nutty richness.
5. Prepare the creamy dressing by whisking together mayonnaise, greek yogurt, dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well-integrated.
6. Drizzle the dressing over the chicken mixture, gently folding to ensure each ingredient is evenly coated without becoming overly saturated.
7. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top, adding a vibrant green color and herbaceous note to the salad.
8. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and develop a harmonious taste profile.
9. Before serving, give the salad a light stir to redistribute the ingredients and dressing, ensuring optimal flavor in each bite.
10. Serve chilled as a standalone dish, sandwich filling, or atop crisp lettuce leaves for a refreshing meal.

Notes

• Customize the texture by adjusting chicken shredding technique for more or less uniform pieces depending on personal preference.
• Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or vegan alternatives to create lighter, healthier, or dairy-free versions of the salad.
• Toast pecans briefly before chopping to enhance their nutty flavor and add a deeper, more complex taste profile to the dish.
• Experiment with herb variations like dill or tarragon instead of parsley to introduce different aromatic dimensions to the chicken salad.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 70mg