This Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad is a delicious blend of tender chicken, sweet dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, and a creamy dressing. Perfect for sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups, or served on a bed of fresh greens, this easy recipe is ideal for lunch, meal prep, or light dinners.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Salad:
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- ¾ cup dried cranberries
- ¾ cup pecans, roughly chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely diced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
For the Dressing:
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Dice or shred the cooked chicken and place it in a large mixing bowl. Add the dried cranberries, chopped pecans, celery, red onion, and parsley.
Step 2: Make the Dressing
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, honey, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Combine
Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and gently stir until everything is evenly coated.
Step 4: Chill
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Chilling allows the flavors to blend together beautifully.
Step 5: Serve
Serve on croissants, sandwich bread, wraps, crackers, or over a bed of crisp lettuce.
Tips for the Best Chicken Salad
- Rotisserie chicken works wonderfully and saves time.
- Toast the pecans for 3–5 minutes for extra flavor and crunch.
- Add diced apples or halved grapes for additional sweetness.
- For a lighter version, replace some of the mayonnaise with extra Greek yogurt.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Calories: Approximately 380 per serving
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The combination of savory chicken, sweet-tart cranberries, crunchy pecans, and creamy dressing creates a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Whether you’re preparing lunch for the week, hosting a brunch, or looking for a crowd-pleasing sandwich filling, this Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad is guaranteed to become a favorite.
