Description

This Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad offers a deliciously sweet and savory twist on a classic chicken salad. Featuring tender cooked chicken combined with dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and crisp celery, all coated in a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, honey, and a hint of Dijon mustard. Perfect for a quick lunch or festive gathering, it’s flavorful, refreshing, and easy to prepare with no cooking required.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or chopped)
½ cup dried cranberries
½ cup chopped pecans (toasted for extra flavor)
1 stalk celery (finely diced)
2 green onions (thinly sliced)

Dressing

½ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

Combine Chicken and Mix-ins: In a large bowl, add the cooked chicken, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, finely diced celery, and thinly sliced green onions. Gently toss to distribute the ingredients evenly.
Prepare the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt (or sour cream), honey (or maple syrup), Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
Mix Dressing with Chicken: Pour the prepared dressing over the chicken mixture. Stir gently to coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing, ensuring a creamy consistency throughout.
Adjust Seasoning and Chill: Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning if necessary by adding more salt, pepper, or honey. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld together for best taste.
Serve: Serve the Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad on croissants, lettuce wraps, crackers, or use it as a salad topper for a delicious and satisfying meal or snack.

Notes

For extra sweetness and texture, try adding a few halved red grapes or chopped apples to the salad.
This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container.