Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Brighten your meals with a creamy Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad, a delightful blend of tender chicken, sweet-tart cranberries, crunchy pecans, and crisp celery, all tossed in a tangy dressing. This refreshing summer recipe is perfect for quick lunches, picnics, or party platters, using leftover or rotisserie chicken for ease. Versatile and flavorful, this dish stands out among Chicken Salads for its balanced taste and simplicity. Whip up this Cranberry Chicken Salad for a delicious, crowd-pleasing option that’s ideal for warm-weather dining!
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast or thigh, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup pecans chopped
- 1 stalk celery diced
- 2 green onions chopped (or 1/4 cup diced red onion)
For the Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Prep the Ingredients: Chop 3 cups cooked chicken, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, 1/2 cup pecans, 1 celery stalk, and 2 green onions into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Mix the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped chicken, cranberries, pecans, celery, and green onions. Toss gently to mix evenly for this Cranberry Chicken Salad.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp honey, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth.
- Combine and Coat: Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture. Stir gently with a spoon until all ingredients are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
- Serve: Scoop the salad into bowls, pile onto croissants, or serve in lettuce cups for a refreshing summer recipe. Garnish with extra cranberries or pecans if desired.
Notes
- Chill the Chicken: Use cold, cooked chicken for better texture in this salad.
- Uniform Chopping: Small, even pieces ensure every bite is balanced in these Chicken Salads.
- Balance the Dressing: Adjust lemon juice or honey to taste for a perfect sweet-tangy mix.
- Refrigerate Briefly: Chill for 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavors in this summer recipe.
- Toast the Pecans: A quick toast brings out their rich, nutty flavor.