There’s something about a really good chicken salad that makes me want to keep a bowl of it in the refrigerator at all times. And this Cranberry and Pecan Chicken Salad? It has that perfect combination of creamy, crunchy, sweet, and savory that makes every bite interesting.
Tender chicken is tossed with sweet dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, crisp celery, and a creamy dressing with just a touch of tang. It’s delicious tucked into a sandwich, spooned onto a bed of lettuce, piled into a croissant, or simply eaten straight from the bowl with a fork. No judgment here!
If you love recipes that are easy enough for lunch but special enough to serve to guests, this one absolutely belongs in your recipe box.
Why You'll Love This Chicken Salad
There are so many reasons to make this recipe!
- Quick and easy: Especially when you use leftover or rotisserie chicken.
- Perfect make-ahead lunch: The flavors become even better after chilling.
- Sweet and savory: Cranberries add sweetness while the chicken and dressing keep everything balanced.
- Lots of texture: Crunchy pecans and celery make every bite more interesting.
- Versatile: Serve it in sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups, croissants, or on crackers.
- Great for gatherings: It makes an easy brunch, picnic, or shower recipe.
What Does Cranberry and Pecan Chicken Salad Taste Like?
This chicken salad has a lovely balance of flavors.
The chicken provides a mild, savory base, while dried cranberries bring little bursts of sweetness. Crunchy pecans add a buttery nuttiness, and celery gives everything a fresh, crisp bite.
The creamy dressing ties it all together with a slightly tangy flavor.
It’s rich without being too heavy, sweet without tasting like dessert, and crunchy enough to keep things interesting.
Honestly, this is anything but boring chicken salad!
Ingredients
For the Chicken Salad
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup finely diced celery
- ¼ cup finely diced red onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional
For the Creamy Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
What You'll Need
This is one of those wonderfully simple recipes where the equipment list is almost comically short!
- Large mixing bowl
- Small bowl
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spoon or spatula
That's it.
Ingredient Additions and Substitutions
Use Rotisserie Chicken
This is my favorite shortcut. Pick up a rotisserie chicken, remove the skin and bones, and shred the meat.
Easy!
Swap the Pecans
Walnuts, almonds, cashews, or sunflower seeds can all work beautifully.
If you're serving someone with a nut allergy, simply leave the nuts out and add extra celery or sunflower seeds if appropriate.
Try Dried Cherries
