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Cranberry chicken pecan salad- Comforting, bursting with flavor salad, made with chicken, apples, celery, cranberry, and mayonnaise.

Why this recipe works

1. Quick & fresh salad that comes together in no time!Even if you are cooking chicken from scratch.
2. It is a high protein that will keep you satiated for long!

This is the kind of salad you want when you do not feel like cooking. The kind of salad we love- creamy, sweet, tart, with loads of protein!

If you bought a rotisserie chicken at home and did not know what to do with it, it's a perfect salad recipe! The salad is creamy, crispy, sweet, and tart, all at the same time.

The original recipe calls for mayonnaise, but I have also made this with Greek yogurt. If I am serving this to a guest or packing it for a picnic, I use only mayonnaise, but almost every other time, it's usually just Greek yogurt.

In just 15 minutes, you can relish a wholesome, healthy meal without extensive preparation, planning, or post-meal cleanup.
Another great sandwich filling is this additive crack chicken made in the instant pot. Also, if you like salads with fruits, you must try my summer melon ball salad.

Ingredients for cranberry chicken salad

Here are the simple ingredients you need to make this delicious recipe

Chicken - Feel free to use cooked chicken or, as shown in the recipe, boil two chicken breasts and chop them up into bite-sized pieces. You can also use cooked leftover Thanksgiving turkey or shrimp instead of chicken breasts.
Crispy Apples - granny smith apple add the most gorgeous tartness that this salad needs and loves! Feel free to experiment with other apple varieties, too.
Nutty Pecans- Walnuts, sunflower seeds, and pepitas are great options here.
Crunchy Celery & Green onions add a great amount of fiber and crispiness to an otherwise creamy salad.
Sweet Cranberries - I have used dried cranberries. These are not coated with sugar; I find them perfect for my pallet.
Mayonnaise - Always read the ingredients while using mayonnaise. Oftentimes, it's just oil and emulsifiers. That is why, if I am not serving this dish on an important occasion, I swap the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt or sour cream. You can also go half and half with mayonnaise and yogurt. You can also make your own mayo quite easily.
Lemon - Use fresh lemon , apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar. I also like to zest the lemon for flecks of freshness in the salad.
Dill - This is the secret ingredient here. I swear it lifts the dish from good to amazing!

See the recipe card for quantities.

How to make pecan cranberry chicken salad

The salad is best served cold or at room temperature. That's why leftover chicken, like rotisserie chicken, would work better while making it.

Step 1: Prep

I like to toast the pecans, especially if I have had them for a while. You can also air fry them for 5-6 minutes, as I explain in the air fryer roast peanuts recipe.

If you have fresh uncooked chicken, boil it for 10-12 minutes till the insides are cooked.

Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Mixing

Whisk together the lemon juice, mayonnaise(or Greek yogurt), and Italian seasoning in a large mixing bowl. Taste and adjust the salt if needed.

Add all of the ingredients to the dressing and give it a toss.

Hot Tip

Serve these as croissant sandwiches for a decadent meal!

Storage

The best thing about this salad is that it lasts well in the refrigerator. If you are not eating it in a couple of hours, pecan chicken salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Plus, it tastes great cold or at room temperature, and that's why it's a great meal prep option.

Serving Cranberry Chicken Pecan Salad

You can serve the salad in many ways

lettuce wraps or as a meal on a bed of lettuce
Filling inside sandwiches and wraps

If you make this cranberry pecan chicken salad recipe, please leave a review. I appreciate every rating and review comment!

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Here are some more salad recipes

Cranberry Chicken Pecan Salad