Creamy cranberry pecan chicken salad makes a tender, melt-in-your-mouth lunch that is quick, easy and tasty. This easy salad gets its flavor from slightly tart but also sweet cranberries, nutty pecans, and crunchy celery tossed in the most delicious dressing with leftover cooked chicken for a quick and delicious recipe.
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Why We Love Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
- Great For Leftovers Or Rotisserie Chicken – This recipe is the perfect way to use up a little leftover roast chicken, or you can make it even faster with rotisserie chicken from the grocery store.
- Perfect For Lunch Or Dinner – This simple recipe makes a delicious lunch, but is still filling enough for dinner or can also make a quick snack. Homemade chicken salad is one of my favorite things to prep ahead for an afternoon party and always gets rave reviews.
- Easy Recipe – Only a few ingredients mixed together help this recipe come together fast, while still packing in flavor to make the best chicken salad.
Have more cooked chicken? Try making these chicken bacon ranch pinwheels!
Ingredients For Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
- 2 ½ cups chicken, about 2 cooked boneless skinless chicken breasts – or 14 ounces cooked chicken
- ½ cup dried cranberries roughly chopped, these give the recipe a delicious sweet tart flavor
- ⅓ cup pecans chopped
- ⅓ cup celery 1 stalk, diced
- ¼ cup green onion chopped, 2 pieces, you could also use red onion
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 4 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
How To Make Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
- Chop the leftover chicken, pecans, cranberries, celery and green onions into small bite sized pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, add chicken, chopped pecans, cranberries, celery, and green onion and mix together well.
- In a second smaller bowl, add mayonnaise, lemon juice, honey, salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Blend this mixture well with a whisk or fork.
- Pour the dressing mixture over chicken mixture. With a spoon, mix in the dressing until the chicken and vegetables are evenly coated.
- Scoop and enjoy! Add to croissants, fluffy dinner rolls, lettuce cups, or enjoy all by itself.
Variation Ideas
- Swap The Bread – Serve this chicken salad on a croissant, fluffy roll, or between two toasted pieces of chewy bread for the most delicious chicken salad sandwiches.
- Try A Wrap– Wrap this tender chicken salad in a tortilla with some crunchy lettuce for a delicious meal, or make a lettuce wrap and enjoy.
- Try Different Nuts– I’ve used crunchy pecans, but almonds or cashews are also a great addition in place of pecans.
- Play With Fruit– Use fresh grapes or apples like a more classic chicken salad instead of cranberries, or add them in with the cranberries for extra sweetness – the best part!
- Lighten It Up– You can swap plain greek yogurt for the mayo in this recipe for a slightly lighter version.
How Long Will Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Last?
Expect this cranberry pecan chicken salad to last for about three days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
.It’s a great recipe to prep ahead the night before a party or for lunch.
Other Easy Recipes You’ll Love
These recipes are perfect for lunch or appetizers, especially on warm days!
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Cranberry pecan chicken salad is an easy recipe with only a few simple ingredients. This delicious recipe gives the perfect balance of sweet cranberries, crunchy celery and tender chicken for the ultimate quick lunch or snack.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups chicken, cooked 2 chicken breasts or 14 ounces cooked chicken
- ½ cup dried cranberries roughly chopped
- ⅓ cup pecans chopped
- ⅓ cup celery 1 stalk, diced
- ¼ cup green onion chopped, 2 pieces
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 4 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Chop the chicken, pecans, cranberries, celery and green onions into small bite sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, add chicken, chopped pecans, cranberries, celery, and green onion and mix together well.
- In a second smaller bowl, add mayonnaise, lemon juice, honey, salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Blend this mixture well with a whisk or fork.
- Pour the dressing mixture over chicken mixture. With a spoon, mix in the dressing until the chicken and vegetables are evenly coated.
- Scoop and enjoy! Add to croissants or fluffy rolls or enjoy all by itself.
Notes
Toasting Pecans
I like to toast the pecans before adding them to the chicken salad because it gives them great flavor and texture. To toast the pecans. place them in a pan over medium heat. I usually spray it with a light spray of cooking oil. Heat pecans for about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently. Then move the pecans to a cutting board and chop them.Nutrition
Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 338mg | Potassium: 223mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 80IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Did You Make This?
I would love to see it! Share your thoughts with me in the comments below!
Comments & Reviews
nancey russo says
this took boring chicken salad into the stratosphere! I also made this with cut up peaches when I didn’t have apples or grapes, and just omitted the cranberries. Thank you for making this amazingly good chicken salad recipe
Delma says
The green onion & honey really added depth ! The best chicken salad I have ever had 🤪I added honey roasted almonds instead.
Deb Mulholand says
My husband said it’s the best chicken salad he’s ever had!
Jack says
This is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy a meal! With its crisp apples, sweet cranberries, and crunchy pecans, I’m loving the recipe!!
-Jack from Skilletguy.com