Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Name: Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 3 cups cooked chicken breast meat ((diced)); 1/2 cup dried sweetened cranberries; 1/2 cup celery ((diced)); 1/2 cup pecans ((chopped)); 1/4 cup green onions ((chopped)); 1 cup mayonnaise ((I use Duke's)); 1/8 teaspoon garlic salt

Jump to Recipe

Want to impress your guests with the perfect lunch recipe? Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad features dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, green onions and tender chicken in a flavorful dressing. Ready to eat in 10 minutes!

scoop of cranberry pecan chicken salad with cucumbers, tomatoes and carrots on a white plate.

You'll Love This Chicken Salad!

Easy recipe: this simple recipe uses only 7 ingredients
Great flavor: delicious taste from the flavor of sweet and tart cranberries
Quick dinner or lunch: great way to make a fast meal in only 10 minutes
Perfect for parties: stuff in a lettuce wrap or serve as a dip with crunchy celery sticks
Versatile: make this favorite chicken salad recipe many different ways!

This is a quick and easy chicken salad recipe to stuff in croissants, spread on crackers, or scoop on top of mixed greens with fresh veggies. It goes great with other sides like Green Pea Salad and Egg Salad with Pickles!

I make this salad whenever friends come to visit and they love the flavor! I've also served it at many catering events, since it's my most requested recipe.

If you're looking for a chicken salad with almonds and grapes, try my Rotisserie Chicken Salad. Or, if you're looking for a barbecue dinner entree, enjoy this Alabama White Sauce Chicken.

Cranberry pecan chicken salad stuffed into a flaky croissant.

Ingredients

There are only 7 simple ingredients in this easy salad recipe, and all of them can be found at your local grocery store. See recipe card for quantities.

cooked chicken - feel free to use rotisserie or pulled chicken to save time
dried cranberries - purchase sweetened dried cranberries for best flavor
chopped pecans - creates the perfect texture and taste
diced celery - a great way to add crunch to this salad
green onions - provides a savory twist
mayonnaise - use Duke's or Hellman's mayonnaise for best results
garlic salt - gives a hint of garlic which adds depth of flavor

ingredients needed to make cranberry pecan chicken salad.

Instructions

1 - CHOP cooked chicken breast, pecans, celery and green onions into small pieces and add to a large mixing bowl with dried cranberries.

celery, chicken, pecans, onions and cranberries in a white bowl.

2 - MIX all ingredients together well. Add mayonnaise and garlic salt.

3 - STIR chicken mixture until well blended. Serve immediately, or refrigerate in an airtight container until time to serve.

Customize It!

If you can dream it up, it's probably a great addition to this cranberry chicken salad recipe! Try these variations...

leftover turkey - perfect way to use diced leftover turkey after the holidays
plain Greek yogurt or sour cream - lighten up the dressing with these choices
sweet apples - fresh apples add even more crunch and sweetness
poppy seeds - a few poppy seeds create a unique taste and texture
dried blueberries, pineapple or cherries - change dried fruits to go with the seasons
fresh herbs - add oregano, rosemary or thyme for a robust flavor
pickles - include spicy pickles, pickled onions, or refrigerated bread and butter pickles
pickled jalapeño - toss in a few jalapeños to spice it up a little!

What to Serve with Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Here are a few ideas to get you started...

Lettuce Wrap - pack it into lettuce leaves and roll it into a tasty low-carb snack
Blue Plate Special - serve with other creamy salads as a cold plate for an easy lunch
Sandwich or Croissant - spread it on two slices of bread, or stuff inside mini croissants
Open Face on Toast - serve this recipe on toast with sliced avocado and sprouts on top
With Fruit or Veggies - include a bowl of fruit or veggies as delicious side items
As a Dip with Crackers or Celery Sticks - snack away with your favorite dippers!

bowl of chicken salad with crackers dipped into it.

Party Ideas

During the holidays, enjoy chicken salad croissants with a cup of Non-Alcoholic Thanksgiving Punch, a glass of Easy Crockpot Wassail or Non-Alcoholic Christmas Punch.

For a great party spread, this chicken salad with cranberries and pecans is a terrific recipe for ladies' luncheons, a bridal brunch, a baby shower, or all types of holiday parties.

You can also enjoy Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad as a cold plate alongside Egg Salad with Pickles, smoky Old Fashioned Ham Salad, and a big a scoop of Southern Tuna Salad. Provide plenty of crackers and veggies...then dig in!

Tips for Success

If you want the most tender chicken, use a purchased rotisserie chicken and dice the white meat into small chunks.
Mix all of the ingredients together well before adding mayonnaise.
Chill for at least 1 hour before serving at an event. Add a little more mayonnaise right before serving to freshen.

Recipe FAQs

Is cranberry chicken salad healthy?

Since there's mayonnaise in this dish, it has a good amount of fat per serving. To make this recipe more healthy, substitute plain Greek yogurt or sour cream for half of the mayonnaise, or use a light mayo instead. You can also use reduced sugar dried cranberries if desired.

How can I make chicken more flavorful?

Roasting a whole chicken in a dutch oven with lemon and herbs will create a tender and flavorful chicken. Or, try purchasing a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store that has different spices injected inside.

Can chicken salad be made ahead?

Yes, you can make this recipe up to 2 days in advance. Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator until time to serve. Stir in a little more mayo right before serving.

A scoop of cranberry pecan chicken salad on a bed of lettuce with fresh vegetables.

Storage and Freezing

Make Ahead up to 2 days in advance and keep in the refrigerator until time to serve.

Store Leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Freezing is not recommended since this recipe is made with mayonnaise.

More Salad Recipes

Looking for more salad recipes that make quick and easy meals when it's too hot to cook?

Rotisserie Chicken Salad (with grapes and almonds)
Strawberry Pecan Salad
Rainbow Salad
Heirloom Tomato Salad
Cranberry Jello Salad
Smoked Potato Salad
Southern Macaroni Salad

Recipe Card