Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad is a festive and flavorful mix of tender chicken, sweet dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, and a creamy mayo-yogurt dressing. Perfect for holidays, lunches, or meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Lunch, Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise (or mayonnaise of your choice)
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/8 teaspoon salt (optional)
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then bake at 375°F for 18–20 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Let chicken rest, then shred using two forks or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment.
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Add shredded chicken, celery, red onion, dried cranberries, and chopped pecans to the dressing.
- Mix gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.
Notes
- Toast pecans before adding for deeper flavor.
- Soak chopped onions in cold water for 5–10 minutes to reduce sharpness.
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut.
- Swap Greek yogurt for plant-based yogurt for a dairy-free version.
- Serve in lettuce cups, wraps, or on crusty bread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 0.25 cup
- Calories: 158
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 234mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 21mg
Find it online: https://recipeeasily.com/cranberry-pecan-chicken-salad/