Looking for a quick, delicious lunch that’s packed with flavor and texture? Well, you’re in the right place! Today, I’m sharing my favorite Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad recipe that’s perfect for a speedy meal. Whether you’re packing a lunch for work, prepping for a picnic, or just need something tasty to throw together, this recipe is a game-changer. Plus, it’s easy to customize, so you can make it your own!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to prepare: Ready in just 15 minutes!
- Perfect blend of flavors: Sweet, tangy, and savory all in one bite.
- Customizable: Add your favorite extras or use what you have on hand.
- Great for meal prep: Make a batch and enjoy it all week long.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for this delicious Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad:
- 2 ½ cups chicken, cooked (2 chicken breasts or 14 ounces cooked chicken)
- ½ cup dried cranberries (roughly chopped)
- ⅓ cup pecans (chopped)
- ⅓ cup celery (1 stalk, diced)
- ¼ cup green onion (chopped, 2 pieces)
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 4 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Full ingredient list with measurements is provided in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make the Recipe
Let’s dive into how to make this Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad:
- Chop the chicken, pecans, cranberries, celery, and green onions into small bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, add the chicken, chopped pecans, cranberries, celery, and green onion. Mix together well.
- In a smaller bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, honey, salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Blend this mixture well with a whisk or fork.
- Pour the dressing mixture over the chicken mixture. With a spoon, mix until the chicken and vegetables are evenly coated.
- Scoop and enjoy! Add to croissants or fluffy rolls or enjoy all by itself.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
Here are some tips to make this recipe even better:
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh celery and green onions make a big difference in flavor.
- Don’t overmix: You want the ingredients to stay crisp and fresh.
- Let it sit: Allowing the salad to sit for 10-15 minutes lets the flavors meld together.
How to Serve
There are so many ways to enjoy this Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad:
- Serve on a bed of lettuce for a light lunch.
- Stuff it into a croissant or fluffy roll for a sandwich.
- Use it as a topping for a fresh green salad.
- Enjoy it all by itself as a quick snack.
Make Ahead and Storage
Prep ahead and store this salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It’s perfect for meal prep!
Looking for more delicious chicken salad recipes? Check out my Best Delicious Classic Chicken Salad Recipe and How to Make Chicken Salad Chick Copycat Recipe at Home. For a southwestern twist, try my Best Zesty Southwest Chicken Salad recipe!
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups chicken cooked (2 chicken breasts or 14 ounces cooked chicken)
- ½ cup dried cranberries roughly chopped
- ⅓ cup pecans chopped
- ⅓ cup celery 1 stalk, diced
- ¼ cup green onion chopped, 2 pieces
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 4 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Chop the chicken, pecans, cranberries, celery, and green onions into small bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine chicken, chopped pecans, cranberries, celery, and green onion, and mix well.
- In a smaller bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, honey, salt, garlic powder, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and mix until evenly coated.
- Scoop and enjoy! Serve on croissants, rolls, or on its own.
