How To Make Cranberry Chicken Salad

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How To Make Cranberry Chicken Salad

Pecan Cranberry Chicken Salad – Easy Cranberry Chicken Salad

Unless you have some leftover chicken in your fridge, you’ll need to cook the chicken first. (BTW this is a great recipe to transform leftovers into something new and delicious!

  • Simmer chicken breasts in water until they’re fully cooked then shred the meat using two forks.
  • Mix the shredded meat with the other ingredients.
  • That’s it! You’ve just made yourself lunch!

    Full recipe in the recipe card below.

    Tips For The Best Chicken Salad:

    You can use any type of cooked chicken for this easy chicken salad with dried cranberries. I like to make my own so I can control the salt and seasoning, which is why I always poach it. I have included instructions on how to poach chicken in the notes section of the recipe below.

  • Chicken: You can use any type of cooked chicken to make this chicken salad. Poaching your own chicken will produce an incredibly flavorful, moist chicken salad. However, I love using roast chicken as well! Or, you can leftover or rotisserie chicken instead! You need approximately 4 cups of cooked chicken. If using rotisserie chicken, make sure you remove and discard the skin, then chop the chicken meat into bite sized pieces. While you can use canned chicken, I recommend using leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken instead to ensure the best texture and flavor.
  • Nuts: Make sure you purchase toasted nuts or toast them yourself! Toasting nuts really enhances their flavor and texture, allowing this chicken salad to shine! To toast nuts: Place nuts in a small, dry skillet . Place the skillet over medium heat and toast, stirring frequently, until nuts are golden and fragrant. Make sure you stir frequently and watch carefully as the nuts can go from toasted to burned very quickly!
  • How to make creamy chicken salad with dried cranberries step by step photos:

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    Copycat Chicken Salad Chick Cranberry Kelli

    This copycat Chicken Salad Chick cranberry Kelli is a great way to bring one of your restaurant favorites home. It goes great on toast, with crackers, or on a salad.

    Chicken Salad Chick is one of my favorite restaurants to go to for lunch. I love to get a scoop of their delicious chicken salad on wheat toast with one of their delicious sugar cookies.

    This recipe is pretty easy to replicate at home. I recommend that you use chicken tenderloins for the closest taste but you can also use chicken breast.

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    How To Serve Cranberry Chicken Salad

    This sweet and savory chicken salad recipe can be served in so many different ways. We love eating any chicken salad on croissants and this one is no different! I also love this cranberry chicken salad on bread or in a wrap. In addition, this salad would be delicious on some mixed greens with some tomatoes and cucumbers. The options are endless!

    Why We Love Cranberries

    Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad
    • Wisconsin grows more than half the worlds cranberries!
    • Cranberries are a versatile fruit and can be consumed year-round, not just during the holidays .
    • Cranberries are filled with fiber, vitamins and antioxidants, so you know this dietitian loves them for their health benefits!

    Cranberry chicken salad features chicken breast, pears, grapes, dried cranberries, celery, pecans and green onion tossed in a maple balsamic yogurt dressing that is loaded with flavor.

    • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
    • ¼ cup mayonnaise
    • 2 tablespoons Dijon or spicy brown mustard
    • 1 ½ tablespoons pure maple syrup
    • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast
    • 1 medium pear, skins on, diced
    • 1 cup red seedless grapes, halved or quartered
    • 1 cup dried unsweetened cranberries
    • 2 medium stalks celery, diced
    • ½ cup chopped pecans
    • 2 medium green onions, trimmed and sliced

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    Can You Freeze It

    Cranberry chicken salad does not freeze well as the mayonnaise will separate once the salad is defrosted.

    However, you can prep ahead! Poach the chicken breasts, dice and freeze the cooked chicken to have on hand! Cooked chicken will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost chicken in the refrigerator overnight. When you are ready to make the cranberry chicken salad, dice the chicken, add the fresh ingredients and toss with the dressing.

    Versatile, easy to make and loaded with flavor, this creamy cranberry chicken salad recipe is sure to become a family favorite!

    Until next time, friends, cheers!

    XOXO

    For the Chicken

    • 1poundBoneless Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs
    • Optional aromatics: 1 Shallot OR Small Yellow Onion , 2 cloves garlic , fresh herbs, 1 TBS lemon juice, 1 Cup Dry White Wine

    For the Salad:

    • 1 ½ 2tspfresh squeezed Lemon Juice to taste
    • heaping 3/4tspEACH: Ground Ginger & Dried Thyme
    • Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper

    Optional for Serving: Sandwich bread, Rolls or Croissants Bibb Lettuce, Thinly Sliced Apples

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    How To Serve Cranberry Chicken Salad:

    For the longest time, I served my cranberry chicken salad on a croissant. I love the flaky, buttery texture, but since we are now dairy free, we usually opt for wheat bread or a nice, crusty roll.

    If you have the choice of using a croissant, I highly suggest it. If not, even a bed of lettuce will be satisfying.

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    Creamy Cranberry Chicken Salad

    Say hello to your new favorite creamy chicken salad, my friends! This chicken salad is anything but boring or bland! Its incredibly flavorful, yet super simple to prepare! And, while it makes a wonderful on-the-go, ready-to-eat lunch or a light delicious dinner, its also the perfect addition to any holiday celebration!

    This creamy salad features tender chicken, chewy dried cranberries, salty toasted nuts, crunchy celery and delicate scallions. Tossed in a silky, creamy, slightly sweet mayonnaise and Greek yogurt based dressing, this chicken salad is robust in flavor and loaded with texture! Its creamy, crunchy, savory, sweet, salty, slightly tart and 100% delicious! If you love chicken salad and have been searching for a new way to shake things up, look no further, because this light and creamy cranberry salad has got it going on!!

    And, this festive salad is extremely easy to make and only requires 15 minutes of hands on preparation! Plus, its made with easy to find ingredients and totally customizable! Try it with fresh poached chicken, rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken! Throw in some apple for crunch or a little jalapeño for a touch of heat! However you make it, this salad is guaranteed to get rave reviews!!

    Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe

    Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad

    This easy, creamy Cranberry Chicken Salad recipe is heavenly delicious and is guaranteed to get rave reviews from even the pickiest of eaters! This sweet and savory salad uses simple ingredients, is so easy to make and can be prepared in advance! Its perfect for picnics, holiday potlucks, grab-and-go lunches and easy dinners!

    This creamy chicken salad with cranberries is incredibly versatile! Keep it in the fridge for quick, protein-packed snacks and easy grab-and-go lunches! Or, stuff it in lettuce leaves, serve it on a buttery croissant or try it on apple slices for a light, delicious meal! Continue to read on for helpful tips on preparing perfect creamy cranberry chicken salad! And, dont miss the in-depth step-by-step photos at the bottom of the post!

    If you are searching for more cranberry recipes, check out these easy favorites: Cranberry Baked Chicken & Rice, Cranberry Relish, Baked Camembert with Cranberry Compote and Cranberry Margaritas

    Update: This post was originally published in November 2019. Ive made updates to the post below to include more information about chicken salad with cranberries and walnuts. Plus, Ive added step-by-step photos and a recipe video to show you exactly how easy this chicken salad is to make!

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    Other Tips And Tricks

    • Check over the dried cranberries before adding them to the salad if you see any cranberries that have formed large clumps, break them apart before adding them to the cranberry chicken salad. The cranberries are sticky and don’t break apart easily once mixed in with the salad.
    • Be sure to taste the salad after mixing if you think it needs it, you can add a bit more lemon, mustard, salt and/or pepper to suit your tastes!

    Want To Lighten Up This Chicken Salad

    Try Greek yogurt instead of mayo. Or half mayo, half Greek yogurt.

    I got this simple recipe from my hubbys cousin after having it at her house. I normally dont like chicken salad but this was so light and refreshing compared to other chicken salads Ive had, that I ended up asking her what was in it.

    The secret is using Greek yogurt instead of mayo. The Greek yogurt actually gives the chicken salad added flavor and makes it healthier too. Win-win! The cranberries and walnuts combined also give this chicken salad a nontraditional flavor and added nutrients.

    If you want a bit of that nostalgic creamy mayo flavor though, try going half Greek yogurt, half mayo. Or full mayo. Up to you!

    I just love this chicken salad and think you will too!

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    How Much Will This Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Recipe Cost To Make

    RECIPE COST: $13.70

    PER SERVING COST: $1.72

    NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have.

    • 2 -12.5 oz canned and cooked chicken $4.98
    • 2 teaspoons olive oil $0.10
    • ½ cup heavy cream $0.48
    • cup mayonnaise $1.07

    What Kind Of Chicken Should I Use

    Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe: How to Make Cranberry Chicken Salad

    I love to make chicken salad with poached chicken breasts. Theyre easy to prepare and the meat is so tender, flavorful, and juicy. Plus, you can poach it ahead of time, and have it ready in the refrigerator a few days before you want to make your salad.

    Ive also made this recipe with store bought rotisserie chicken, or oven-roasted chicken leftover from dinner. Roasted breast meat can be a little less juicy than poached, but it works tossed with the dressing.

    I also find that store bought rotisserie chickens vary quite widely in terms of their salt content, so be mindful of that when seasoning the chicken salad. Always best to salt to taste!

    Whether youre using poached or roasted chicken, cut it into about a 1/2- to 3/4-inch dice. I like my chicken salad to have nice-sized, meaty chunks of chicken, but still be manageable to eat on a sandwich without a fork.

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    This Curry Chicken Salad With Dried Cranberries And Toasted Walnuts Is A Favorite Of Mine The Dried Fruit And Toasted Nuts Really Elevate The Salad And Its Fantastic

    I first had this Curry Chicken Salad with Dried Cranberries and Toasted Walnuts at a networking event at a local Chamber of Commerce event that I attended several years ago. It was so good that everyone wanted the recipe from the woman who had made it. She told us it was her favorite thing to prepare with leftover chicken and now its mine too.

    Though Ive made it with leftover grilled chicken breast I think it best when I buy or make a rotisserie style chicken and use a combination of dark and white meat. One whole chicken is just about enough to double the recipe too if youre making it for a crowd. I decided to make this just for me this past week and hide it at the back of the fridge so I wouldnt finish it off in one day!

    Ill eat it on a crusty roll as a sandwich but also love it simply scooped onto some lettuce and served with crackers and grapes. Always grapes. Im not sure why but for me grapes are a must with this salad they are a great complement with the curry spice in the chicken.

    Over the years Ive modified the original a bit with the addition of some dried cranberries and toasted nuts while I love the splash of color and texture they add, the combination of the two really elevate a simple chicken salad from really good to extraordinary.

    PIN Curry Chicken Salad with Dried Cranberries and Walnuts

    Is This Recipe High In Protein

    This easy cranberry chicken salad recipe is low in carbs, high in protein and packed with omega-3 rich walnuts! The exact amount of protein in chicken salad will depend upon the precise amount of ingredients and brands used. This chicken salad recipe contains approximately 19 grams of protein per serving.

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    Ingredients In Chicken Salad

    • Chicken: I prefer to poach my own chicken breasts. Its incredibly easy to do and produces moist, tender chicken every single time! Plus, you can easily infuse the poaching liquid with aromatics for added flavor! Ive included instructions for how to poach chicken in the recipe below. However, you can use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken if you like!!
    • Cranberries: 1 cup of dried cranberries provide the perfect amount of chewy texture and tart flavor!
    • Nuts: I typically use 3/4 cup of walnuts, but you can use your favorite nut . I highly recommend toasting the nuts to enhance their flavor and crunch!
    • Celery: 2/3 cup of fresh celery adds a fresh, mild sweetness and delicious crunch!
    • Scallions: Thinly sliced scallions provide a hint of less-intense onion flavor.
    • Healthier Creamy Dressing: A pantry-friendly combination of mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, honey, fresh lemon juice, ground ginger and thyme creates the perfect creamy reduced-fat dressing!

    What Can You Add To Cranberry Chicken Salad

    Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad – Easy Lunch!

    Want to make a few additions to this salad? Fantastic! I encourage you to make this recipe your own! The sky is the limit you can add a wide variety of ingredients to customize this salad to your specific taste! Get creative and add your favorite ingredients! Below are a few ideas to get you started.

    Substitutions and Variations

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    What Goes With Chicken Salad And Salad Sandwiches

    This cranberry chicken salad recipe is hearty, delicious and works as a stand alone meal. However, sometimes you just want more than plain chicken salad or a simple chicken salad sandwich! Luckily chicken salad plays well with others and pairs great with a wide variety of side dishes! Below are some of the best ways to serve chicken salad .

    12 Side dishes that complement chicken salad:

    How To Make Chicken Salad With Cranberries And Pecans

    When your ingredients are ready and its time to dive into the cooking process, things are easy. Start by combining the salad ingredients, and then combine the dressing ingredients in another bowl. Mix it all together, and voila! Here is a full breakdown:

    Begin by adding the diced chicken, celery, pecans, cranberries, and red onion to a large mixing bowl.

    In a smaller mixing bowl, mix together all of the ingredients for the dressing.

    Pour the dressing over the top of the chicken mixture and stir until its well combined.

    Chill the salad in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before eating.

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    Easy Cranberry Chicken Salad Recipe

    Lunch for two has never been easier to whip up than with this cranberry chicken salad. You can serve it on any type of bread you have, a bagel, croissant, or even on top a bed of lettuce or some cucumbers.

    Im often rushing to make a healthy lunch for myself in between work projects and this cranberry chicken salad recipe is one of the most satisfying lunches I can easily put together.

    The recipe can be adapted quickly to suit one, two or more people. You can make a large batch and store it in the fridge for a few days, or just make a one-sandwich serving size, which I often do.

    When I was working at America Online many years ago, they had a cafeteria for staff that served an amazing chicken salad croissant. I tried not to eat it as frequently as I wanted to that would have been every day.

    When my contract was ending, I knew I was never going to taste that wonderful chicken salad again unless I asked for the recipe.

    Im pretty sure they didnt give me the full list of ingredients, but it was close enough for me to start building my own version that was very similar.

    They always served it on a butter croissant and it always had dried cranberries in it. I wanted my version to be similar. The cranberries add a nice sweetness to the mixture.

    I do love it on a croissant. But more often than not, I just put this chicken salad on top of some lettuce or a bagel. Its much healthier.

    » Want to learn how to make your own butter croissants? Check out this great tutorial.

    Does This Chicken Salad Meet My Dietary Requirements

    Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad Recipe

    This cranberry walnut chicken salad recipe is totally flexible and it can easily be adapted to meet your dietary needs!

    • To make salad Whole 30: Make sure you use whole30-compliant mayo and no sugar added dried cranberries.
    • For Paleo chicken salad: Omit the Greek yogurt and substitute a paleo-friendly mayo. Also, make sure you also use no sugar added dried cranberries.
    • To make Keto-friendly chicken salad: Make sure you use zero sugar added dried cranberries.
    • For Gluten free chicken salad: Double check and make sure your Greek yogurt is free of any gluten-containing additives.

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