Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes (using pre-cooked chicken)
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 1 cup red grapes, halved
- ¾ cup celery, finely chopped
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup green onions, thinly sliced
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place the cooked, shredded or chopped chicken in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the halved red grapes, chopped celery, dried cranberries, pecans, and sliced green onions. Gently stir to distribute the ingredients throughout the chicken.
- In a separate small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, honey, fresh lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Whisk the dressing until completely smooth and creamy.
- Pour the prepared dressing over the chicken mixture. Using a large spoon or spatula, gently fold everything together until the chicken, grapes, cranberries, celery, and pecans are evenly coated.
- Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Add a little more lemon juice for brightness, honey for sweetness, or salt and black pepper according to your preference.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the chicken salad for about 30 minutes before serving. Chilling gives the flavors time to blend and makes the salad especially refreshing.
- Stir gently once more before serving. Garnish with additional dried cranberries, chopped pecans, or sliced green onions if desired.
Tips
•For a quick and convenient version, use cooked rotisserie chicken. Remove the skin and bones, then shred or dice the meat before adding it to the salad.
•To bring out the flavor of the pecans, toast them in a dry skillet over medium-low heat for 2–3 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent burning, then allow them to cool completely before adding them to the salad.
•For even more crunch, add extra celery or finely diced apple. Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith apples work particularly well.
•If you prefer a lighter and slightly tangier dressing, increase the amount of Greek yogurt and reduce the mayonnaise.
Avoid aggressively stirring the salad. Gentle folding •helps maintain the texture of the grapes, chicken, and other ingredients.
•For the best texture, add the toasted pecans shortly before serving if you are preparing the salad several hours in advance.
Storage
•Store leftover Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad in a tightly sealed airtight container in the refrigerator.
•For best quality, enjoy it within 3–4 days, assuming the cooked chicken was fresh when the salad was prepared.
•Keep the salad refrigerated until you are ready to serve it, especially because the dressing contains mayonnaise and Greek yogurt.
•Freezing is not recommended. After thawing, the creamy dressing may separate, while the grapes and celery can become watery and lose their crisp texture.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad inside buttery croissants for a delicious café-style lunch.
It is also excellent in sandwich rolls, wraps, pita pockets, or between slices of lightly toasted bread.
For a lighter option, spoon the salad into crisp lettuce cups or serve a generous portion over mixed salad greens.
You can also serve smaller portions with crackers for an easy snack, brunch dish, or party appetizer.
Pair it with fresh berries, sliced apples, melon, grapes, or another fresh fruit for a simple and refreshing meal.
Nutrition Benefits
•Chicken breast provides high-quality protein, which helps make this salad satisfying and filling.
•Pecans provide unsaturated fats along with several vitamins and minerals. They also add a satisfying crunch that contrasts nicely with the creamy dressing.
•Grapes and dried cranberries contribute sweetness and fruit flavor, while celery adds freshness and crisp texture.
•Greek yogurt adds extra protein and calcium while helping create a creamy dressing without relying entirely on mayonnaise.
•For a version with less added sugar, choose unsweetened or reduced-sugar dried cranberries and decrease or omit the honey.
•The exact nutritional content will vary depending on the type of mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, dried cranberries, and cooked chicken used.
Q&A
1.Can I make Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with rotisserie chicken?
Yes. Rotisserie chicken is a convenient choice for this recipe. Remove the skin and bones, then shred or chop the chicken before adding the remaining ingredients.
2.Can I prepare this salad ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare it several hours in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator. If you want the pecans to remain especially crunchy, add them shortly before serving.
3.Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried cranberries?
Dried cranberries are recommended because they provide concentrated sweetness and a pleasantly chewy texture. Fresh cranberries are much firmer and considerably more tart.
4.Can I substitute another nut for the pecans?
Absolutely. Chopped walnuts, almonds, or cashews can replace the pecans. Toasting the nuts before adding them can enhance their flavor.
5.What can I substitute for mayonnaise?
Plain Greek yogurt is a good alternative. You can replace part or all of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, although the dressing will have a noticeably tangier flavor.
6.Can I add apples to the salad?
Yes. Finely diced Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, or another crisp apple works beautifully with the cranberries and pecans.
7.Can I leave out the grapes?
Yes. Simply omit them or replace them with diced apple for another sweet and crunchy element.
8.How can I make the salad less sweet?
Reduce or omit the honey and choose unsweetened or reduced-sugar dried cranberries.
9.What is the best way to serve it for lunch?
For a hearty lunch, serve it in a croissant, sandwich, or wrap. For a lighter meal, serve it over mixed greens or in lettuce cups.
10.How long does Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad last?
When properly refrigerated in an airtight container and made with fresh cooked chicken, it is generally best enjoyed within 3–4 days.
