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