This Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad is a delicious mix of tender chicken, crunchy pecans, sweet dried cranberries, and a creamy, zesty dressing. It's perfect all on its own, served in lettuce cups, or as a hearty sandwich filling.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
• 🛒 Ingredients Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
• 🔪 How to Make Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
• 💡 Tips for Making Cranberry Chicken Salad
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 🍴 What to Serve with Chicken Salad
• 🔄 Substitutions and Additions
• How Can I Ensure the Chicken Stays Juicy?
• Is This Chicken Salad Healthy?
• Is Shredded or Chopped Chicken Better for Chicken Salad?
• Can I Prepare this Salad in Advance?
• 🍽️ More Tasty Salad Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love This Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

• Tender chunks of poached chicken
• Sweet chewy dried cranberries
• Crunchy toasted pecans
• Crisp celery and red onion
• Tossed in an easy homemade tangy dressing
• Easy to make

This cranberry pecan chicken salad takes the traditional version to a new delicious level. The addition of sweet dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, and crisp veggies creates the most delightful contrast to the tender chicken. The creamy dressing and fresh herbs work beautifully to bind everything together, giving the salad amazing flavor.

Perfect for lunch or a light dinner, this salad is incredibly versatile. Enjoy it on your favorite bread for a satisfying sandwich, wrap it up in a tortilla, or serve it in crisp lettuce cups for a lighter option. Whether you’re hosting a brunch or simply looking for a quick meal, this chicken salad hits the spot every time.

If you love quick and easy chicken salads, be sure to check out my Greek Chicken Salad and this Honey Mustard Chicken Salad recipe.

🛒 Ingredients Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

• Chicken
• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Pecans
• Dried cranberries
• Celery
• Red onion
• Fresh dill
• Fresh chives
• Lemon
• Garlic salt
• Ground black pepper

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Pot (to poach your chicken in)
• Mixing bowl
• Whisk

🔪 How to Make Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Cook your chicken, then chop it into bite size pieces.  You can either use rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, homemade roasted chicken or poached chicken, which is what I did.

Just poach your chicken in chicken broth for about 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches at least 165°, when checked with a meat thermometer. 

Note: Poaching in chicken broth adds so much flavor, so I highly recommend preparing it this way. Plus, when the chicken is cooked, you can strain the broth and use it in soups or other recipes.

Add the diced chicken to a large mixing bowl, along with the toasted and chopped pecans, red onion, dried cranberries, diced celery, fresh dill and chives.  Set it aside, while you make the dressing.

In a separate mixing bowl, add in the mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic salt, ground black pepper, lemon juice and zest.

Whisk to combine.

Pour the dressing over the chicken salad ingredients.

Gently toss to combine and mix until everything is well coated in the dressing.

Serve when you are ready, either on a sandwich of your favorite bread, in a wrap, lettuce cup or it’s also great all on it’s own.

💡 Tips for Making Cranberry Chicken Salad

• As you're chopping the vegetables, try for consistent sizes. This not only makes the salad look pretty, but it also ensures even distribution of flavors in each bite.

• When poaching chicken, start with cold broth and gradually heat it to simmering. This gentle cooking method helps retain moisture and results in tender, juicy chicken.   

• After poaching, let the chicken rest for about 10 minutes before chopping it. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken moist and flavorful.

• If your dressing seems too thick, thin it out with a small amount of lemon juice or chicken broth to achieve the desired consistency without overpowering the flavor.

☑️ Storage Instructions

To store cranberry pecan chicken salad, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container to keep the ingredients fresh. It should stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.

I do not recommend freezing leftovers.

🍴 What to Serve with Chicken Salad

• Crusty bread or rolls: Freshly baked Bread, baguettes, croissants, or Dinner Rolls are perfect for making sandwiches with this salad.

• Greens: A tasty salad like this Shaved Fennel Salad is always a great side.

• Vegetable sticks: Crisp veggies like carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers are a great side with chicken salad.

• Salad sampler: Create a fun and easy lunch with a scoop of this salad, a fresh fruit salad and tasty Greek Pasta Salad.

• Pickles or onions: A side of pickles or pickled onions adds a tangy bite that enhances the flavors of the chicken salad.

• Chips or crackers: Serve with your Homemade Tortilla Chips or Ranch Crackers for a satisfying crunch and an easy snack alongside the salad.

• Wraps: Add some to home Tortillas to lettuce cups to make a quick and easy wrap.

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Chicken: Use shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover turkey, or canned chicken in place of poached chicken.

• Yogurt: Replace some of the mayo or sour cream with plain yogurt or crème fraiche.

• Nuts: Swap out pecans for walnuts, almonds, or sunflower seeds to add a different nutty flavor.

• Other dried fruit: Swap the cranberries for raisins, dried cherries, or chopped dates for a sweet touch.

• Fresh fruit: Add diced apples, grapes, or mandarin oranges for a sweet twist.

• Celery: Substitute the celery with diced bell peppers or cucumbers for a crunchy texture.

• Fresh herbs: If you don’t have dill or chives, use parsley or thyme for a fresh taste.

• Cheese: Feel free to add some crumbled feta or goat cheese for added creaminess and flavor.

• Additional veggies: Toss in grated carrots, chopped spinach, or sliced radishes for extra nutrients and texture.

How Can I Ensure the Chicken Stays Juicy?

The best way is to poach the chicken gently and avoid overcooking. Keeping the heat low helps retain moisture.

Is This Chicken Salad Healthy?

It sure is. With lean chicken breast as its base, it provides a solid source of protein. The toasted pecans contribute healthy fats and fiber, while the dried cranberries add a touch of sweetness along with vitamins and antioxidants. Fresh vegetables like celery and red onion enhance the salad with added crunch and flavor.  

Is Shredded or Chopped Chicken Better for Chicken Salad?

Both ways taste great. I prefer to chop my chicken so you get little chunks in each bite. Shredded chicken can get mushy the longer it sits in the dressing.

Can I Prepare this Salad in Advance?

Yes, you can make the salad up to a day ahead of serving. Just be sure to cover it tightly to keep it fresh.

🍽️ More Tasty Salad Recipes

• Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
• Greek Quinoa Salad
• Pickled Beet Salad
• Greek Pasta Salad
• Easy Italian Pasta Salad