Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe

Cranberry chicken salad has tender chicken, sweet tart dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, and bits of crisp celery and onions tossed in a creamy flavor-packed dressing and is just too good to resist! With only 10 minutes of prep time using simple ingredients, it’s the best twist on a classic chicken salad you’ll ever taste.

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This cranberry pecan chicken salad has a special place in my heart. It’s my holiday lunch favorite my mom used to make for me as a child, and now I make it with my kids all the time because it’s become their favorite, too! They love the sweet and tangy flavors and the delightful crunch, and I love that it’s not too light and not too heavy – just the right amount of filling.

Plus, it’s a breeze to make – it’s my go-to for whenever I need a quick and tasty meal. It can be enjoyed as a meal-prep lunch, snack, appetizer, or side dish. It’s also perfect for brunches, potlucks, and holiday celebrations. Make it once, and I guarantee it’s going to be a staple in your fridge!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy wholesome meal: Packed with fresh ingredients that’s a snap to toss together, it’s a feel-good meal that you’ll feel good about eating.
• Delicious flavor combo: Sweet, tart, tangy, and savory flavors come together to create a delicious dish.
• Endless ways to enjoy: Enjoy as is, over greens, in a sandwich, or wrapped in tortilla – you won’t run out of ways to enjoy this versatile salad. 
• Great way to use up leftover chicken: The easiest, most delicious way to repurpose leftover rotisserie or grilled chicken into something fresh and exciting.
• Make-ahead friendly: Great to make ahead, chill, and marinate until ready to eat.
• Crowd-pleaser: Great for serving a crowd and always a hit with both kids and adults. 

How to Make Cranberry Chicken Salad

Why make a classic chicken salad when you can make cranberry chicken salad? You can whip up this dreamy, creamy salad in 10 minutes or less as long as you use cooked chicken. Just toss the ingredients in a bowl, make the dressing, mix, and chill. 

Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.

Ingredients You Need

• Chicken breast: Makes the salad hearty! Its tenderness also contrasts nicely to the crisp and crunchy salad ingredients. Use leftover chicken, buy cooked chicken, or cook the chicken breasts yourself. Canned chicken can also work.
• Celery: Adds a mild flavor and a refreshing crunch. 
• Red onion: For color, texture, and balance. Also provides a sharp, zesty flavor that helps balance the sweetness of the cranberries.
• Dried cranberries: Adds a pop of color, a nice chewy texture, and a delicious sweet tart flavor that perfectly complements the savory ingredients. Use reduced sugar dried cranberries if preferred.
• Pecans: Their crunch adds a delightful texture contrast. 

For the dressing:

• Mayonnaise: The creamy base for the dressing. 
• Apple cider vinegar: Brightens the flavors of the salad and balances the richness of the mayonnaise.
• Dijon mustard: For depth of flavor.
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

Step-By-Step Instructions

This cranberry pecan chicken salad recipe is perfect for beginners. Simply follow the instructions below and the salad will turn out perfect!

Step 1: Combine the salad ingredients

First, toss the chicken, celery, onion, cranberries, and pecans in a large bowl.

Step 2: Make the dressing

Next, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and ground black pepper in a small bowl to make the dressing.

Step 3: Mix and chill

Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss well until all the ingredients are thoroughly coated. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

Substitutions

While this recipe calls for ingredients you might already have in your kitchen, you may be missing some or prefer to use alternative ingredients. Here are my ingredient swap ideas:

• Chicken breast: Feel free to swap out chicken for leftover turkey if that’s what you have. 
• Red onion: No red onions? Use green onions, sweet onions, chives, or shallots instead.
• Dried cranberries: If you don’t have dried cranberries, substitute with tart dried cherries, raisins, currants, or dried blueberries.
• Pecans: Replace pecans with your favorite chopped nuts. Almonds or walnuts are great options!
• Mayonnaise: Substitute mayonnaise with sour cream or plain Greek yogurt. No-fat or full-fat Greek yogurt will also work.

Variations

Cranberry chicken salad is already amazing as is, but a few additions won’t hurt and you might even find your favorite variation! Try these fun twists that are equally tasty!

• Add fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or cilantro for added flavor and freshness.
• Mix in chopped apples, pears, or grapes for extra color, flavor, and texture. I love the refreshing crunch of the added fruits!
• If you prefer to add vegetables instead of fruits, diced bell peppers, shredded carrots, or chopped cucumbers are good choices.
• Try using honey mustard, ranch, or any dressing of your choice instead of the traditional mayonnaise-based dressing for a variation in taste of your chicken salad.
• Mix in cooked quinoa, farro, or wild rice for added texture, fiber, and a heartier meal.
• Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some chopped jalapeños for a bit of heat.
• Fold in crispy bacon pieces for an extra layer of flavor and crunch.

Expert Tips

• Slow cook the chicken: If you’re cooking the chicken breasts yourself, I recommend that you slow cook them to get tender chicken with no browning on the outside. Meal-prepping shredded chicken in the slow cooker is an easy way to prepare protein in bulk ahead of time.
• Don’t over-mix: When combining the ingredients, fold them together gently to maintain the texture of the chicken and keep the salad light.
• Customize the sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter salad, add a touch of honey or more dried cranberries to balance the tangy dressing. 
• Use fresh cranberries: On the other hand, if you want a more tart salad, chop up fresh cranberries instead of using dried ones.
• Balance the dressing: Start with less dressing, then add more as needed. This prevents the salad from becoming too heavy or soggy.
• Adjust to taste: Feel free to taste the salad as you go and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or vinegar to suit your preferences.

How to Store This Recipe

Place cranberry chicken salad in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, depending on the freshness of the ingredients you used. I don’t recommend freezing this dish.

What to Serve with Cranberry Chicken Salad

Enjoy cranberry chicken salad as is, in lettuce wraps or cups, or as a sandwich filling for plain or toasted sandwich bread or a croissant. For a heartier meal, add the salad as filling to a pita or tortilla wrap along with other fillings of your choice.

We also enjoy it with some chicken quesadillas! For parties, I like serving the salad with crackers or in wonton cups.

If you make this cranberry chicken salad, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and review comment!