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Irresistible Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad : Sweet & Crunchy


  • Author: Lyndy
  • Total Time: 15

Description

If there’s one meal we could eat every day and never tire of, it’s this Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad.


Ingredients

Scale

  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ½ cup chopped toasted pecans
  • ½ cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup finely chopped celery
  • ¼ cup finely chopped red onion (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (for added sweetness)

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the chicken
If you haven’t already, cook and shred or dice your chicken breast. Rotisserie chicken or leftover roast chicken works great here.

Step 2: Toast the pecans
In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the chopped pecans for 3–4 minutes until fragrant. This enhances their nutty flavor.

Step 3: Mix the dressing
In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice (or vinegar), salt, pepper, and optional honey or maple syrup.

Step 4: Combine ingredients
Add chicken, cranberries, toasted pecans, celery, and red onion to the bowl. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated with dressing.

Step 5: Taste and chill
Adjust seasoning if needed, then refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

Step 6: Serve and enjoy
Spoon into lettuce cups, pile onto whole grain bread, or serve in a bowl with crackers and fresh veggies.

Notes

  • Use rotisserie chicken for convenience and built-in flavor
  • Dice chicken finely for better texture and easier mixing
  • Toast the pecans to bring out their natural oils and crunch
  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes (to toast pecans)
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4–6
  • Calories: 290
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Fat: 19 g
  • Carbohydrates: 9 g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 20 g

Keywords: Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad