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    Home » Recipes » Chicken

    Published: Jun 9, 2021 by Rachel

    Cranberry Chicken Salad

    This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.
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    Divine and tangy, This Cranberry Chicken Salad is filled with seasoned chicken breast, and a delightful mix of celery, cranberries and nuts. The easy, creamy dressing blends together with all the ingredients in one bowl and under 5 minutes!

    Cranberry Chicken Salad on a Croissant with romaine lettuce for a healthy lunch
    Contents show
    1 Ingredients and Notes
    2 Variations and Fun Additions
    3 Tips for Making Cranberry Chicken Salad
    4 WATCH THE RECIPE VIDEO
    5 Frequently asked questions:
    6 Cranberry Chicken Salad

    We love great lunch and potluck recipes around here like our Supreme Chicken Nachos, Punch Bowl Cake, and Ham Sliders. However, I have to admit that I used to not be a big fan of the classic southern chicken salad. That is, until I once tried a tangy, flavorful recipe that a friend brought to a girl’s get away luncheon. It was divine and just that little change lit up my taste buds like “This is the PERFECT chicken salad I didn’t know I needed.”

    Of course, we added cranberries and nuts to it for a bit of sweetness. The ranch dressing and red onions are probably the secret to making it taste perfect.

    Chicken Salad is the perfect thing to serve for lunch, on a lightly toasted croissant roll or as a salad. Made with grilled chicken, crisp celery, tart dried cranberries, red onions and crunchy nuts, this recipe really is a great dish to bring to a picnic or make ahead for grab and go lunches. I’ve been making this recipe for years now, and it’s one of my favorite things to have for lunch on a summer afternoon.

    Ingredients and Notes

    Here is an overview of what you will need:

    Ingredients for chicken salad with text labels.

    Diced Chicken: Rotisserie (plain), canned, or freshly grilled/sautéed chicken works great for this recipe. I find that boiled chicken is a bit too wet and not as flavorful.

    Veggies: I tend to dice or petite dice all of the veggies in this salad so to get a good mix.

    Ranch: Hidden valley packets are best but store-bought works good too.

    Greek Yogurt: I use plain Greek yogurt since it cuts calories and doesn’t overwhelm the flavor. You can substitute sour cream, but the flavor will be slightly different.

    Variations and Fun Additions

    The dish is very flavorful on its own. However, you can add some ingredients depending on your tastes. Here are a few suggestions that I’ve tried and liked before. It just depends on my mood.

    • Eggs
    • Pickles
    • Changing the pecans to walnuts or almonds
    • Celery Seed
    • Grapes

    If you are working on your new diet, this recipe can also be KETO friendly if served on a bed of greens or with a side of sliced apples. Use sour cream instead of Greek yogurt. Or cut calories by swapping Greek yogurt for the mayo.

    Cranberry Chicken Salad on a Croissant with greens and lunch wrap paper.

    Tips for Making Cranberry Chicken Salad

    • Although I generally just chop the chicken, you can throw it in a stand mixer with a paddle or an electric mixer to easily shred it.
    • Add grapes, raisins, apples, or nuts to add a sweet or savory flavor to suit your tastes.
    • This recipe calls for pecans, but you can add almonds, cashews or walnuts.
    • Sour Cream can be substituted for Greek yogurt, although I do find it alters the taste just slightly. You can also cut calories by using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
    • This recipe takes a total time of 5 minutes to throw together if the items are prepped, but I like to refrigerate it for at least an hour or two to give the flavors a chance to come together. It is a great recipe to make ahead.
    • To make this recipe faster, you can use a rotisserie chicken. Simply remove the skin and chop into pieces. Or simply grill or sautĂ© the chicken. While you can boil the chicken, I find that the recipe isn’t as flavorful.
    • If you like a spicy kick, this salad is also really good with a bit of cayenne pepper mixed in.

    WATCH THE RECIPE VIDEO

    I have also taped myself preparing this recipe in the video below. The written instructions are in the recipe card further down the page.

    Frequently asked questions:

    How long does cranberry chicken salad last?

    This chicken salad recipe will last for 3-4 days if refrigerated. Wrap tightly or store in an appropriate sized container. Of course, don’t leave it out in the sun or at room temperature for more than an hour or two.

    Can chicken salad made with mayo be frozen?

    I don’t recommend freezing chicken salad because the dressing ingredients will separate. You can freeze the cooked chicken, then defrost it in the refrigerator the day before you make the salad. The celery and onions can also be diced ahead of time.

    What should I serve with cranberry chicken salad?

    Serve chicken salad as a sandwich on croissant rolls or hearty bread. I top the sandwiches with tomatoes and greens. It also makes a great salad on top of a bed of greens with a few tomatoes. One of my favorite ways to serve is as an afternoon snack with crackers, or serve with cut up celery and bell peppers. The chicken salad itself is Keto friendly, but I would swap the Greek yogurt for sour cream.

    I hope you’re going to give this a try to make your mornings extra special – especially for those busy on-the-go days like ours.

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    PS. If you make this recipe, leave a COMMENT AND A STAR RATING in the comments section at the bottom and be sure to take a photo and tag it #cravingcreative on Instagram! I appreciate you for taking the time to read about me and my family recipes. 

    Fresh chicken salad recipe features craisins and topped with greens on croissant rolls laid on wax paper with celery and red onion in the background.

    Cranberry Chicken Salad

    This Cranberry Chicken Salad is the divine and tangy combination of seasoned chicken, peppery ranch dressing, and a delightful mix of celery, cranberries and pecans, ready in just 5 minutes!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 5 cups
    Calories: 281kcal
    Author: Rachel

    Ingredients

    • 4 cups Cooked, diced chicken breast grilled, sauteed, or rotisserie are great
    • 1 stalk Celery, diced
    • Âľ cup Dried cranberries
    • ½ cup Chopped pecans
    • ÂĽ cup Plain Greek yogurt
    • ÂĽ cup Mayonnaise
    • ÂĽ cup Ranch Dressing
    • Salt and Pepper to taste
    • ½ cup Red Onion, diced

    Instructions

    • In a large bowl, put all ingredients in together. Stir and fold to combine.
    • It can be served immediately but it is best to cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and cool.
    • Serve on bed of lettuce, or on croissant rolls.

    Notes

    General Notes:
    • Rotisserie (plain), canned, or freshly grilled/sautĂ©ed chicken works great for this recipe. I find that boiled chicken is a bit too wet and not as flavorful.
    • Sour Cream can be substituted for Greek Yogurt, although I do find it alters the taste just slightly. You can also cut calories by using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
    Serving Ideas: Serve on toasted croissants or hearty bread, or a bed of greens. Excellent sides include apple slices, fruit salad, or potato salad.
    Store: Store in an airtight container in the fridge. It should keep well for up to 4 days.
    Freeze: I don’t recommend freezing chicken salad, but the diced chicken can be frozen and thawed the day before.
    Make Ahead: This recipe works great to fully prepare the day before.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 28.3g | Fat: 14.2g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 176mg | Potassium: 313mg | Sugar: 2g | Calcium: 560mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @CravingCreative or tag #CravingSomeCreativity!
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Pam Avoledo says

      September 17, 2020 at 6:41 pm

      5 stars
      The cranberries add a sweetness to the chicken salad. It really adds to the flavor. Personally, I think it’s best way to eat it. It’s one of the ingredients that once you’ve tried it, you’ll notice when it’s gone.

      Reply
    2. Pam says

      January 26, 2019 at 9:12 am

      5 stars
      This looks so good! I love cranberries and celery in chicken salad.

      Reply

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