Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Simple and Fresh Delight

August 5, 2025 by lisa

If you’re craving a light and tasty meal, try my Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad! This dish combines tender chicken, sweet cranberries, and crunchy pecans for a fresh delight. It’s perfect for lunch, picnics, or meal prep. Plus, I’ll guide you step-by-step, sharing tips to make it even better. Ready to enjoy a mix of flavors and textures? Let’s get started on this delicious journey!

Ingredients

To make a tasty Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad, you need fresh and simple ingredients. Here’s what you will need:

– 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded

– 1/2 cup dried cranberries

– 1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped

– 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced

– 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped

– 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

– 1 tablespoon honey

– 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

– Salt and pepper to taste

– 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

– Mixed salad greens for serving

Each ingredient adds its own flavor. The chicken gives protein, while cranberries add sweetness. Pecans add crunch and healthy fats. Red onion gives a bit of bite, and celery adds freshness. The Greek yogurt acts as a creamy base. Honey and mustard bring in a nice zing. Lemon juice brightens the salad, while salt and pepper enhance all the flavors.

You can customize your salad by adding or swapping ingredients. Think about using apples for sweetness. Or, try walnuts instead of pecans. Each choice changes the taste and texture, keeping your salad fun and fresh!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation

To prepare the chicken, start with cooked chicken breast. You can use rotisserie chicken or boil your own. If boiling, cook in water for about 15 minutes. Make sure it’s fully cooked and tender. Let it cool before shredding.

For shredding chicken, use two forks. Grab a piece of chicken with one fork and pull apart with the other fork. This way, you get nice, even shreds. Shredding makes the chicken mix well with the other ingredients.

Mixing Ingredients

Let’s combine the base ingredients. In a large bowl, add your shredded chicken, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, diced red onion, and chopped celery. Stir gently to mix everything well. Each bite should have a bit of everything for the best flavor.

Now, whisk the dressing. In a small bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, honey, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Use a fork or whisk to blend until smooth. This dressing will bring all the flavors together.

Final Touches

Next, pour the yogurt dressing over the chicken mixture. Stir carefully until all ingredients are coated. Taste it and adjust the flavors. If you want it sweeter, add more honey. If it needs more kick, add salt and pepper.

For serving, place a handful of mixed salad greens on each plate. Top with a scoop of your cranberry pecan chicken salad. You can add more pecans or cranberries as a garnish for extra color and crunch. Enjoy your fresh and tasty salad!

Tips & Tricks

Making the Best Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

– Choosing the right chicken: I recommend using cooked chicken breast. It’s lean and easy to shred. You can use rotisserie chicken for added flavor and convenience. Just make sure it’s tender and moist for the best taste.

– Balancing flavors and textures: For a great salad, mix sweet and savory. The dried cranberries add sweetness, while the pecans bring crunch. Use a light dressing with Greek yogurt for creaminess. This gives you a nice balance that keeps each bite interesting.

Time-Saving Tips

– Pre-cooking chicken options: If you’re short on time, you can boil or grill chicken ahead of time. Cook a big batch to use in other recipes too. This way, you always have chicken ready for salads or meals.

– Prep ahead instructions: You can chop veggies and mix the dressing a day before. Just store them separately in the fridge. This makes assembly quick and easy when you’re ready to eat.

Serving Suggestions

– Best sides to pair with the salad: This salad goes well with crusty bread or a light soup. A refreshing fruit salad also makes a great side. These options keep your meal balanced and tasty.

– Creative serving ideas: Try serving the chicken salad in lettuce wraps for a fun twist. You can also use it as a filling for sandwiches or on top of whole-grain crackers. These ideas make the dish more versatile and exciting.

Variations

Ingredient Swap Ideas

You can make this salad even better by swapping some ingredients. If you want to change the nuts, try walnuts or almonds. They add a nice crunch too. For fruits, consider using chopped apples or grapes. Both add sweetness and freshness.

For dressings, Greek yogurt is great, but you can use avocado or hummus instead. These options give a creamy texture while keeping it healthy.

Dietary Modifications

If you need a gluten-free salad, check your yogurt and mustard. Most brands are safe, but some may have gluten. Always read the labels to be sure.

For a dairy-free version, swap the Greek yogurt with a plant-based yogurt. You can also use tahini for a nutty flavor. Both options keep the salad creamy and tasty.

Seasonal Variations

In summer, add fresh fruit like berries or peaches. Their juiciness makes this salad refreshing. You can also include cucumbers for extra crunch.

For fall, think about adding roasted butternut squash or apples. Their warm flavors pair well with the salad. You can even sprinkle some cinnamon for a cozy touch.

Storage Info

How to Store Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

To keep your cranberry pecan chicken salad fresh, store it in the fridge. Use an airtight container to prevent moisture loss. This salad tastes best when fresh, but it can last up to three days in the fridge. If you have leftovers, make sure to eat them within this time frame.

Freezing Tips

Can you freeze the salad? It is not recommended to freeze this salad. The texture of the chicken and veggies may change. Freezing can make the salad watery when thawed. If you still wish to freeze it, do so without the dressing.

When you thaw it, use it in a cooked dish. This way, you can enjoy the flavors without the texture loss.

Shelf Life

How long does it last in the fridge? The salad can last for three days in the fridge. After that, it may start to spoil.

Signs of spoilage include a sour smell or a change in color. If you see any mold, throw it away. Always trust your senses when it comes to food safety.

FAQs

What can I substitute for Greek yogurt?

You can use several non-dairy alternatives for Greek yogurt. Coconut yogurt works well and adds a light coconut taste. Almond yogurt is another option that keeps it creamy.

Other creamy options include sour cream or mayo. Each adds a unique flavor, so choose what you like best.

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this salad ahead of time. To keep it fresh, store the salad and dressing separately. Mix them just before serving. This keeps the greens crisp and tasty.

Is this salad healthy?

This salad is quite healthy! It has lean protein from the chicken. The cranberries offer fiber and vitamins. Pecans add healthy fats, which are good for your heart.

You will also get nutrients from the veggies. Overall, it makes a balanced meal.

What to serve with Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad?

This salad pairs well with many side dishes. A light soup, like tomato or vegetable, complements it nicely. You can also serve it with crusty bread or whole grain crackers.

A fresh fruit salad adds a sweet touch and balances the meal.

Full Recipe Link

For the complete Festive Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad recipe, click [here](#).

This blog post covered how to make a tasty, nutritious Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad. You learned the ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and storage tips. We explored quick prep methods and fun variations too.

Remember, you can mix and match ingredients to fit your taste. Enjoy trying different sides and flavors. This salad is great for any meal. Happy cooking!

$To make a tasty Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad, you need fresh and simple ingredients. Here’s what you will need: - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded - 1/2 cup dried cranberries - 1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced - 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt - 1 tablespoon honey - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard - Salt and pepper to taste - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice - Mixed salad greens for serving Each ingredient adds its own flavor. The chicken gives protein, while cranberries add sweetness. Pecans add crunch and healthy fats. Red onion gives a bit of bite, and celery adds freshness. The Greek yogurt acts as a creamy base. Honey and mustard bring in a nice zing. Lemon juice brightens the salad, while salt and pepper enhance all the flavors. You can customize your salad by adding or swapping ingredients. Think about using apples for sweetness. Or, try walnuts instead of pecans. Each choice changes the taste and texture, keeping your salad fun and fresh! To prepare the chicken, start with cooked chicken breast. You can use rotisserie chicken or boil your own. If boiling, cook in water for about 15 minutes. Make sure it’s fully cooked and tender. Let it cool before shredding. For shredding chicken, use two forks. Grab a piece of chicken with one fork and pull apart with the other fork. This way, you get nice, even shreds. Shredding makes the chicken mix well with the other ingredients. Let’s combine the base ingredients. In a large bowl, add your shredded chicken, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, diced red onion, and chopped celery. Stir gently to mix everything well. Each bite should have a bit of everything for the best flavor. Now, whisk the dressing. In a small bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, honey, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Use a fork or whisk to blend until smooth. This dressing will bring all the flavors together. Next, pour the yogurt dressing over the chicken mixture. Stir carefully until all ingredients are coated. Taste it and adjust the flavors. If you want it sweeter, add more honey. If it needs more kick, add salt and pepper. For serving, place a handful of mixed salad greens on each plate. Top with a scoop of your cranberry pecan chicken salad. You can add more pecans or cranberries as a garnish for extra color and crunch. Enjoy your fresh and tasty salad! - Choosing the right chicken: I recommend using cooked chicken breast. It's lean and easy to shred. You can use rotisserie chicken for added flavor and convenience. Just make sure it’s tender and moist for the best taste. - Balancing flavors and textures: For a great salad, mix sweet and savory. The dried cranberries add sweetness, while the pecans bring crunch. Use a light dressing with Greek yogurt for creaminess. This gives you a nice balance that keeps each bite interesting. - Pre-cooking chicken options: If you’re short on time, you can boil or grill chicken ahead of time. Cook a big batch to use in other recipes too. This way, you always have chicken ready for salads or meals. - Prep ahead instructions: You can chop veggies and mix the dressing a day before. Just store them separately in the fridge. This makes assembly quick and easy when you’re ready to eat. - Best sides to pair with the salad: This salad goes well with crusty bread or a light soup. A refreshing fruit salad also makes a great side. These options keep your meal balanced and tasty. - Creative serving ideas: Try serving the chicken salad in lettuce wraps for a fun twist. You can also use it as a filling for sandwiches or on top of whole-grain crackers. These ideas make the dish more versatile and exciting. {{image_2}} You can make this salad even better by swapping some ingredients. If you want to change the nuts, try walnuts or almonds. They add a nice crunch too. For fruits, consider using chopped apples or grapes. Both add sweetness and freshness. For dressings, Greek yogurt is great, but you can use avocado or hummus instead. These options give a creamy texture while keeping it healthy. If you need a gluten-free salad, check your yogurt and mustard. Most brands are safe, but some may have gluten. Always read the labels to be sure. For a dairy-free version, swap the Greek yogurt with a plant-based yogurt. You can also use tahini for a nutty flavor. Both options keep the salad creamy and tasty. In summer, add fresh fruit like berries or peaches. Their juiciness makes this salad refreshing. You can also include cucumbers for extra crunch. For fall, think about adding roasted butternut squash or apples. Their warm flavors pair well with the salad. You can even sprinkle some cinnamon for a cozy touch. To keep your cranberry pecan chicken salad fresh, store it in the fridge. Use an airtight container to prevent moisture loss. This salad tastes best when fresh, but it can last up to three days in the fridge. If you have leftovers, make sure to eat them within this time frame. Can you freeze the salad? It is not recommended to freeze this salad. The texture of the chicken and veggies may change. Freezing can make the salad watery when thawed. If you still wish to freeze it, do so without the dressing. When you thaw it, use it in a cooked dish. This way, you can enjoy the flavors without the texture loss. How long does it last in the fridge? The salad can last for three days in the fridge. After that, it may start to spoil. Signs of spoilage include a sour smell or a change in color. If you see any mold, throw it away. Always trust your senses when it comes to food safety. You can use several non-dairy alternatives for Greek yogurt. Coconut yogurt works well and adds a light coconut taste. Almond yogurt is another option that keeps it creamy. Other creamy options include sour cream or mayo. Each adds a unique flavor, so choose what you like best. Yes, you can make this salad ahead of time. To keep it fresh, store the salad and dressing separately. Mix them just before serving. This keeps the greens crisp and tasty. This salad is quite healthy! It has lean protein from the chicken. The cranberries offer fiber and vitamins. Pecans add healthy fats, which are good for your heart. You will also get nutrients from the veggies. Overall, it makes a balanced meal. This salad pairs well with many side dishes. A light soup, like tomato or vegetable, complements it nicely. You can also serve it with crusty bread or whole grain crackers. A fresh fruit salad adds a sweet touch and balances the meal. For the complete Festive Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad recipe, click [here](#). This blog post covered how to make a tasty, nutritious Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad. You learned the ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and storage tips. We explored quick prep methods and fun variations too. Remember, you can mix and match ingredients to fit your taste. Enjoy trying different sides and flavors. This salad is great for any meal. Happy cooking!$