Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad is a refreshing chicken salad recipe that brings together quick prep, sweet and savory flavor, and perfect make-ahead convenience for lunches or light dinners. Shredded chicken is tossed with dried cranberries, crisp apples, toasted pecans, and a creamy dressing to create a balanced salad that comes together in minutes with simple mixing.
If you like this deli-style recipe, you may also love our Classic Waldorf Salad, Southern Egg Salad Recipe, or our Tuna and Egg Salad.
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad at a Glance 🔎
- 🕒 Prep Time: 20 minutes
- 🧊 Optional Chill: 30 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 6
- 🔥 Cook Method: No-cook mixing
- 🍽️ Cuisine: American
- 👩🍳 Pair With: Croissants, lettuce wraps, or crackers
- ⭐ Difficulty Level: Easy
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Sweet cranberries with tart apple is a great flavor combination. Spoon it into lettuce wraps for a light and refreshing meal.~Jami
Jump to:
- Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad at a Glance 🔎
- Why We Love This Recipe
- Key Ingredients
- Substitutions & Variations
- How to Make Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
- Expert Tips for Success
- Storage
- Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad FAQs
- How to Make Ahead for the Holidays
- More Recipes You'll Love ♥️
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Share Your Thoughts
Why We Love This Recipe
- Perfect for Leftovers: A fantastic way to use up leftover turkey or rotisserie chicken.
- Great for Entertaining: Elegant enough to serve at holiday brunches or gatherings. Just like these Turkey Pinwheels with Pesto and Sundried Tomatoes!
- Quick and Easy: Simple steps and minimal prep make it ready in under 30 minutes.
- Flexible Serving Options: Enjoy it in sandwiches, wraps, or even as a dip for crackers. We also enjoy our Honey Chicken Salad with Toasted Almonds this way.
Key Ingredients
- Cooked Chicken or Turkey: A base protein that's tender and flavorful. Rotisserie chicken works great! We use it in our Southwest Chicken Salad Recipe, too!
- Mayonnaise and Greek yogurt: Creamy, tangy dressing with a lighter, healthier touch.
- Dried Cranberries: Adds a pop of sweetness and chewy texture.
- Pecans: Toast them for extra crunch and nutty depth.
- Celery and Granny Smith Apple: Crisp veggies and fruit for texture and a hint of tartness.
- Dijon Mustard: A subtle kick of spice to balance the sweetness.
- Poppyseeds: Tiny bursts of texture and a fun visual appeal.
- Seasonings: Salt and pepper for balanced flavor.
A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Chicken or Turkey: Substitute with Rotisserie or canned chicken.
- Pecans: Swap with walnuts or sunflower seeds for a nut-free alternative.
- Greek Yogurt: Use sour cream or skip it for a fully mayo-based dressing.
How to Make Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
STEP ONE: Prepare the Chicken or Turkey
Use pre-cooked shredded chicken or turkey. If cooking fresh, make sure it has cooled before mixing.
STEP TWO: Toast the Pecans
In a small skillet, melt butter and toast pecans over medium heat, about 2-3 minutes. Let cool.
STEP THREE: Make the Dressing
In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, poppyseeds, salt, and pepper until smooth.
STEP FOUR: Combine Ingredients
Add shredded chicken, cranberries, celery, apple, green onions, and toasted pecans. Toss gently to coat everything evenly. Chill for 30 minutes and serve.
Expert Tips for Success
👩🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!
✔️ DO Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes for the flavors to blend.
✔️ DO Toast the pecans for added flavor.
Storage
Store this apple cranberry pecan chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Do not freeze, as the dressing may separate. While this dish is served cold, toast bread or wraps for a warm complement.
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad FAQs
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad can be served in various ways. Enjoy it on toasted croissants for a delicious sandwich, scoop it onto a bed of mixed greens for a refreshing salad, or use it as a filling for wraps or lettuce cups. It also pairs well with crackers.
Yes, fresh cranberries can be used, but they have a tart flavor compared to dried cranberries. To balance the tartness, you can chop the fresh cranberries finely and toss them with a small amount of honey or sugar before adding them to the salad.
Yes! Substitute mayonnaise with more Greek yogurt or a vegan alternative.
How to Make Ahead for the Holidays
- Chop Ingredients Early: Prep chicken, cranberries, and pecans up to 2 days in advance.
- Make Dressing Ahead: Whisk and store separately to keep the salad fresh.
- Serve Easily: Portion into small bowls for buffet-style meals.
Did You Try This Recipe?
Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and comment below. Don't forget to share it on Instagram, Facebook, & Pinterest. Thank you! 💛
📖 Recipe
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Skillet for toasting pecans
- Storage
Ingredients
- 1 pound cooked shredded chicken or turkey about 3 cups
- ¾ cup mayonnaise adjust to taste
- ¼ greek yogurt optional for tang and added protein
- 1 ½ tablespoons honey
- 1 ½ teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 ½ teaspoons poppyseeds
- ½ cup dried cranberries chopped
- ½ cup diced Granny Smith apple tossed in a squeeze of lemon juice
- ⅓ cup toasted chopped pecans adjust to taste
- ⅓ cup diced celery
- 3 green onions finely sliced
- ¾ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon butter
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Use pre-cooked shredded chicken or turkey, or cook and shred your own. Make sure it's cool before assembling the salad.
- Heat a small skillet over medium heat and toast the chopped pecans in butter for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Let them cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, honey, apple cider vinegar, poppyseeds, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Add the shredded chicken, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, celery, green onions, and diced apple to the dressing.
- Toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or vinegar to suit your preference.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors blend together.
- Serve chilled in sandwiches, wraps, or over greens.
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Notes
- Toast the pecans lightly to bring out their nutty flavor.
- Chill the salad before serving so the dressing thickens slightly.
- Use cooled shredded chicken so the dressing stays creamy.
- Dice the apples small so they blend evenly into each bite.
Nancy says
This is the BEST! I make it every week!