Zingy Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe for Lunch Joy

Tender, juicy chicken meets a delightful medley of flavors in this cranberry pecan chicken salad that promises to tantalize your taste buds.

Bursting with sweet-tart cranberries and crunchy pecans, the salad delivers a perfect balance of textures and tastes.

The combination of savory chicken and nutty pecans creates a harmonious blend that’ll make your lunch feel like a gourmet experience.

Each bite brings a refreshing twist to the classic chicken salad, elevating it from ordinary to extraordinary.

Fresh herbs and a light, creamy dressing bind the ingredients together, ensuring every forkful is packed with deliciousness.

You’ll want to serve this salad at your next gathering or enjoy it as a satisfying personal meal.

Prepare to fall in love with this irresistible culinary creation that turns a simple lunch into a memorable dining experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 15 minutes + chilling time

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 5

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Ingredient List

• Shredded Chicken: Tender, lean protein that provides a hearty foundation for the salad, best when using freshly cooked or rotisserie chicken for maximum flavor and texture.

• Dried Cranberries, Pecans: Tangy-sweet cranberries add bursts of bright flavor while toasted pecans bring a rich, nutty crunch that elevates the entire salad's taste profile.
• Chopped Celery: Adds a refreshing crisp texture and subtle earthy undertone, perfect for creating a balanced and interesting mouthfeel.

• Mayonnaise: Creates a silky, rich base that binds all ingredients together with a smooth consistency.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens the entire dish with a zesty tang and helps balance the richness of the mayonnaise.
• Sugar: Provides a subtle sweetness that harmonizes the tangy and savory elements.
• Salt: Enhances and deepens the overall flavor profile of the salad.
• Black Pepper: Adds a mild heat and complexity to the dressing, creating depth in every bite.

Tool That Helps with Cranberry Chicken Salad

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining chicken, cranberries, celery, and pecans.
• Smaller mixing bowl: Perfect for whisking together mayonnaise and seasonings.
• Whisk: Crucial for creating a smooth, well-blended dressing.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping celery and pecans.
• Sharp knife: Great for precise ingredient preparation.
• Plastic wrap: Helps seal the salad while chilling.
• Measuring spoons: Useful for accurate seasoning measurements.

Instructions for Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

• Flavor Foundation

Tear tender chicken into bite-sized pieces, creating a delicate base for your salad. Scatter vibrant dried cranberries and crisp celery chunks throughout, adding layers of texture and brightness.

• Creamy Harmony

Craft a silky dressing by whisking together tangy mayonnaise, zesty lemon juice, and a hint of sweetness. This liquid gold will transform your ingredients into a cohesive, mouthwatering blend.

• Gentle Mixture

Lovingly fold the dressing into the chicken mixture, ensuring every morsel gets a luxurious coating. Sprinkle crunchy pecans for an unexpected nutty surprise that elevates the entire dish.

• Flavor Infusion

Tuck the salad into the refrigerator, allowing the ingredients to mingle and develop deeper, more complex flavors. This resting period transforms a simple salad into a gourmet experience.

• Serving Suggestions

Pile the salad onto soft croissants, spread it over crusty bread, or enjoy it nestled on a bed of fresh greens. This versatile dish works beautifully for lunch, picnics, or elegant gatherings.

Tips to Make Chicken Salad Even Better

• Mix in different nuts like almonds or walnuts for a unique crunch and flavor profile.
• Replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or a lighter mayonnaise to reduce calories while maintaining creamy texture.
• Prepare the chicken salad a day in advance to allow flavors to develop and intensify, creating an even more delicious meal.
• Transform this chicken salad into elegant appetizers by serving on endive leaves or mini puff pastry shells for a fancy twist.

Ways to Serve Cranberry Chicken Salad Creatively

• Sandwich Spectacular: Nestle this creamy chicken salad between soft croissants or toasted artisan bread for a gourmet lunch experience that'll make your taste buds dance.
• Salad Topper Delight: Scoop a generous portion over mixed greens or baby spinach to create a protein-packed, refreshing meal that's both nutritious and incredibly tasty.
• Crackers and Dip Party Pleaser: Serve alongside crispy crackers at gatherings, allowing guests to scoop up this delectable mixture as a crowd-pleasing appetizer that'll spark conversation and delight.
• Lettuce Wrap Adventure: Wrap the chicken salad in large butter lettuce leaves for a low-carb, fresh alternative that provides a light and crunchy eating experience with zero guilt.

Store Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Smartly

• Smart Fridge Storage: Keep your cranberry pecan chicken salad in a sealed container at the back of the refrigerator to maintain optimal freshness and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
• Quick Serving Suggestions: Transform this delightful salad into multiple meals like stuffed avocados, lettuce wraps, or atop crispy mixed greens for variety throughout the week.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare the chicken salad in larger batches during the weekend, dividing into individual portions for quick grab-and-go lunches or spontaneous snacks during busy weekdays.
• Freezing Wisdom: While best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze the chicken mixture without mayonnaise for up to one month. Thaw in the refrigerator and mix with fresh dressing before serving for maximum flavor and texture quality.

Crunchy Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

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4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes + chilling time
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Creamy cranberry pecan chicken salad blends tangy dried cranberries with crunchy pecans and tender chicken. Rich flavors mingle over crisp greens, offering a delightful balance of sweet and savory notes you’ll eagerly savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups (710 ml) shredded chicken
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) mayonnaise
• ½ cup (75 g) dried cranberries
• ½ cup (60 g) chopped pecans
• ½ cup (75 g) chopped celery
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) lemon juice
• 2 tbsps (25 g) sugar
• ½ tsp (2.5 g) salt
• ¼ tsp (1.25 g) black pepper

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Instructions

1. Chicken Preparation: Meticulously shred cooked chicken into uniform, bite-sized fragments using two forks for consistent texture.
2. Vegetable and Nut Processing: Finely dice celery and roughly chop pecans to create a delightful textural contrast within the salad.
3. Initial Mixture: In a spacious mixing bowl, gently combine shredded chicken, dried cranberries, chopped celery, and pecan pieces, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
4. Dressing Creation: Whisk mayonnaise with fresh lemon juice, incorporating a hint of sugar, salt, and black pepper to craft a smooth, harmonious dressing that balances tangy and sweet notes.
5. Flavor Infusion: Carefully fold the creamy dressing into the chicken mixture, ensuring each ingredient is thoroughly coated and flavors are seamlessly integrated.
6. Chilling and Marinating: Envelop the salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours, allowing the ingredients to meld and intensify their collective flavor profile.
7. Serving Preparation: Gently stir the chilled salad to redistribute dressing and ingredients, then elegantly present on croissants, whole grain bread, or alongside crisp crackers for a versatile culinary experience.

Notes

• Chill for Flavor Fusion: Refrigerate the salad for 1-2 hours to allow ingredients to mingle and develop a more complex, harmonious taste profile.
• Chop with Precision: Cut pecans and celery into consistent, small pieces to ensure balanced texture and even distribution in every bite.
• Moisture Management: Avoid over-mixing the dressing to prevent a soggy salad; fold gently to maintain the ingredients’ distinct textures.
• Storage Strategy: Keep leftover salad in an airtight container and consume within 2-3 days to preserve freshness and prevent bacterial growth.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 43 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 36 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg