What's the best way to prepare chicken for this salad?

For ultimate convenience, a store-bought rotisserie chicken is ideal. Alternatively, you can boil or bake chicken breasts until cooked through, then shred or dice them once they've cooled down.

Can I make ingredient substitutions in this recipe?

Absolutely! Feel free to swap pecans for walnuts or almonds. If you don't have fresh apples, a small amount of apple cider vinegar in the dressing can add a similar bright tang. For a lighter dressing, increase the Greek yogurt ratio or use a low-fat mayonnaise.

How long does Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad stay fresh?

When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this chicken salad will keep well for 3-4 days. For the best texture, add the toasted pecans right before serving to maintain their crispness.

What are some recommended ways to serve this chicken salad?

This versatile salad shines in many ways! Enjoy it on its own, scooped into crisp lettuce cups for a low-carb option, piled high on croissants or whole-grain bread for sandwiches, or served with your favorite crackers or vegetable sticks. It's also a fantastic addition to a bed of fresh mixed greens.

Easy Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad: Your 15-Minute Recipe Guide!

Description

A delightful 15-minute chicken salad featuring tender chicken, sweet cranberries, crunchy pecans, and a creamy, zesty dressing, perfect for any meal.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
1/4 cup red onion, finely minced
1 small apple, diced (Fuji or Honeycrisp recommended)
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup toasted pecans, coarsely chopped

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the chicken, celery, red onion, and apple. Shred or dice your cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Finely chop the celery, mince the red onion, and dice the apple.
Step 2: Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Combine the Greek yogurt, light mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, fresh parsley, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and well-combined.
Step 3: Add the main salad components to the bowl with the dressing. Gently fold in the prepared chicken, chopped celery, minced red onion, diced apple, and dried cranberries. Ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
Step 4: Just before serving, fold in the toasted pecans. This helps maintain their crisp texture and prevents them from becoming soggy.
Step 5: Serve immediately or for enhanced flavor, cover and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Enjoy this delightful salad on its own, in sandwiches, or with crackers.

Notes

For best results, toast your pecans right before adding them to enhance their nutty flavor. This salad tastes even better after chilling for 30 minutes to an hour, allowing the flavors to fully meld. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes (for toasting pecans)
Category: Main Dish
Method: Mixing, No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 450mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 20g
Cholesterol: 70mg