Quick & Zesty Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe Everyone Loves

Cranberry pecan chicken salad bursts with unexpected flavor combinations that dance across your palate.

Sweet and tangy dried cranberries perfectly complement the rich, earthy crunch of toasted pecans.

Tender chunks of seasoned chicken create a hearty base for this delightful dish.

Crisp vegetables add textural contrast and freshness to every delectable bite.

Mediterranean-inspired herbs gently elevate the traditional salad profile with sophisticated nuance.

Lightweight yet satisfying, this recipe reimagines ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Each forkful promises a delightful balance of savory and sweet sensations that will keep you coming back for more.

Why Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Is Sweet, Tangy, and Satisfying

• Burst with Sweet and Savory Flavor: The combination of tangy dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, and tender chicken creates a delightful flavor explosion that dances on your taste buds.
• Enjoy Incredible Texture Variety: Crisp celery, smooth mayonnaise, juicy shredded chicken, and crunchy pecans deliver a perfect mix of textures that make every bite interesting and satisfying.
• Super Quick and Easy Preparation: This no-cook recipe takes minimal effort, making it ideal for busy people who want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Simply mix, chill, and serve for a hassle-free dining experience.
• Versatile Serving Options: Whether you're packing a lunch, hosting a picnic, or looking for a quick dinner solution, this chicken salad adapts beautifully to croissants, crackers, or fresh greens, giving you multiple ways to enjoy the dish.

What You’ll Need for Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

• Chicken: Shredded protein that forms the main foundation of the salad, best when cooked and cooled completely.
• Pecans: Crunchy nuts that add texture and rich nutty flavor, preferably fresh and unsalted.

• Dried Cranberries: Sweet-tart fruit that provides bursts of flavor and color, look for plump and moist berries.

• Celery: Crisp vegetable that brings a light crunch and fresh flavor to the salad, choose firm and bright green stalks.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy base that binds ingredients together, opt for full-fat version for best taste.
• Lemon Juice: Bright acid that adds tanginess and helps balance flavors, fresh is always better than bottled.

• Sugar: Slight sweetener to balance the tang, white granulated works best.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance overall flavor profile, freshly ground pepper recommended.

How to Make This Fresh and Flavorful Salad Mix

Step 1: Shred Succulent Chicken

• Use rotisserie chicken or boil chicken breasts
• Shred chicken into bite-sized pieces using two forks
• Ensure chicken is cool before mixing

Step 2: Prepare Crunchy Mix-Ins

• Dried cranberries
• Fresh celery
• Roasted pecans
• Combine mix-ins in a large mixing bowl

Step 3: Create Creamy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Fresh lemon juice
• Granulated sugar
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Mix until smooth and well blended

Step 4: Combine Chicken and Dressing

• Pour dressing over chicken mixture
• Gently fold ingredients until evenly coated
• Ensure all components are thoroughly mixed

Step 5: Chill and Develop Flavors

• Cover bowl with plastic wrap
• Refrigerate for 2-3 hours
• Allows flavors to meld and intensify

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

• Soft croissants
• Toasted bread
• Crisp crackers
• Fresh salad greens

Tips for Balancing Creaminess, Crunch, and Tang

• Chop Ingredients Uniformly: Cut celery and pecans into consistent, small pieces for even texture and balanced flavor in every bite.
• Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours, allowing ingredients to marinate and develop a more complex taste profile.
• Customize Your Protein: Use rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken breast for different flavor variations and convenient preparation.
• Balance Moisture Carefully: Add mayonnaise gradually to control the salad's consistency and prevent it from becoming too wet or dry.
• Elevate Serving Presentation: Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or chives to add a pop of color and fresh herbal notes to the dish.

How to Chill and Serve It Without Losing Freshness

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftover chicken salad to an airtight container, ensuring a tight seal to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.
• Preserve Texture: Keep the salad crisp by storing mayonnaise-based mixtures away from direct contact with watery ingredients like chopped celery, which can make the salad soggy.
• Consume Quickly: Enjoy refrigerated chicken salad within 2-3 days for optimal taste and food safety, discarding any portions that develop an off smell or appearance.

Dishes That Work Beautifully with This Chicken Salad

• Elevate with Crisp White Wine: Pair this chicken salad with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, which cuts through the creamy mayo and complements the tangy cranberries with bright, refreshing notes.
• Crunch with Artisan Crackers: Select hearty multigrain or rosemary-infused crackers that provide a satisfying texture contrast to the soft chicken and add an extra layer of flavor complexity.
• Serve with Fresh Greens: Arrange the chicken salad on a bed of mixed spring greens or arugula, drizzling a light vinaigrette to enhance the salad's sweet and savory profile while adding nutritional variety.
• Cool Side of Cucumber: Prepare thinly sliced cucumbers as a crisp, hydrating accompaniment that balances the richness of the mayonnaise and provides a clean, light counterpoint to the dense chicken mixture.

Creative Versions to Keep This Salad Feeling New

• Tropical Fusion Chicken Salad: Replace dried cranberries with diced mango and swap pecans for toasted macadamia nuts. Add a splash of coconut milk to the dressing for a Hawaiian-inspired flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Greek Chicken Salad: Swap mayonnaise for Greek yogurt, use chopped kalamata olives instead of pecans, and add crumbled feta cheese. Incorporate fresh dill and mint for a zesty Mediterranean touch.
• Spicy Southwest Chicken Salad: Mix in diced jalapeños, replace pecans with roasted corn kernels, and add chopped cilantro. Incorporate a dash of cumin and lime juice to create a bold, southwest-inspired variation.
• Apple Walnut Chicken Salad: Replace cranberries with diced green apples and swap pecans for chopped walnuts. Add a touch of honey to the dressing for a subtle sweetness and crisp texture.

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Cranberry pecan chicken salad brings Mediterranean flair to classic lunch fare. Juicy chicken mingles with tart cranberries and crunchy pecans, creating a refreshing blend that promises delightful flavor in each satisfying bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 3 cups (710 ml) shredded chicken

Fruit and Nuts:

• ½ cup (75 g) dried cranberries
• ½ cup (60 g) chopped pecans

Vegetables and Seasoning:

• ½ cup (75 g) chopped celery
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons (25 g) sugar
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 g) salt
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 g) black pepper

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Instructions

1. Shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces using two forks, ensuring uniform texture and easy consumption.
2. Finely dice the celery to provide a crisp, refreshing crunch throughout the salad mixture.
3. Roughly chop the pecans to create varied texture and prevent oversized nut pieces that might disrupt the salad’s consistency.
4. In a spacious mixing bowl, gently combine the shredded chicken, dried cranberries, chopped celery, and pecan pieces, tossing ingredients to distribute evenly.
5. Prepare the creamy dressing by whisking mayonnaise with fresh lemon juice, adding a touch of sugar to balance acidity, and seasoning with salt and black pepper until smooth and well integrated.
6. Pour the prepared dressing over the chicken mixture, carefully folding and stirring to ensure each ingredient is thoroughly coated and flavors are harmoniously blended.
7. Cover the salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify, which enhances the overall taste profile.
8. Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir to redistribute the dressing and ingredients.
9. Serve chilled on soft croissants, whole grain bread, or alongside crisp crackers for a versatile and satisfying meal option.
10. Refrigerate any remaining salad in an airtight container, consuming within 2-3 days for optimal freshness and flavor.

Notes

• Elevate your chicken salad game with this sweet and crunchy combination of juicy shredded chicken, tart dried cranberries, and toasted pecans.
• Chilling the salad for a few hours allows the flavors to develop and intensify, creating a more delectable and harmonious taste profile.
• Versatile dish that works perfectly as a sandwich filling, salad topper, or crowd-pleasing dip for gatherings and quick lunches.
• Mayonnaise dressing featuring lemon juice adds a bright, tangy kick that balances the richness of the chicken and nuts.
• Keep leftovers fresh by storing in an airtight container, enjoying within three days for optimal flavor and texture.
• Select high-quality, crisp celery and freshly toasted pecans to enhance the overall crunch and nutty dimension of the salad.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 705
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 244 mg
• Fat: 59 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 44 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 101 mg