Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
I still make this cranberry pecan chicken salad on repeat—it’s the kind of recipe that balances creamy tang, crunchy pecans, and a little sweet chew from cranberries so well. It’s a quick, make-ahead crowd-pleaser for lunches, potlucks, or a light weeknight dinner. The dressing leans on Greek yogurt for brightness and just a touch of mayo for silkiness, so the salad tastes indulgent but not heavy.
Why you’ll love this dish
This salad hits a lot of home-run reasons to add it to your repertoire: it’s fast, uses leftover or rotisserie chicken, and travels well for packed lunches. The flavor profile—savory chicken, sweet-tart cranberries, and toasty pecans—works for people of all ages, which makes it perfect for family gatherings or a simple sandwich upgrade.
“A perfect balance of sweet and savory—rich enough for a sandwich, bright enough for a green salad.” — home cook review
It’s also a great base recipe to riff on. If you like a creamier salad, increase the mayo slightly. If you’re watching calories, the Greek yogurt keeps it light. If you want another crowd favorite to serve alongside, try this best-ever chicken salad for contrast.
Step-by-step overview
- Prep and combine the mix-ins (chicken, cranberries, pecans, celery, red onion).
- Whisk a simple yogurt-mayo dressing flavored with Dijon and honey.
- Fold dressing into the chicken mixture until evenly coated.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
- Serve on greens, in a sandwich, or with crackers.
This overview gives you a quick sense of the workflow before you pull out any bowls.
What you’ll need
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie works great)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped (toast briefly for more flavor)
- 1/2 cup celery, finely diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (plain)
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Ingredient notes and substitutions:
- Chicken: Use leftover roast chicken, shredded poached chicken, or store-bought rotisserie for speed.
- Pecans: Replace with walnuts or sliced almonds if preferred (toast them in a dry skillet for 3–4 minutes for best aroma).
- Greek yogurt and mayo: The yogurt keeps things tangy and lower-cal than using all mayo. Swap to full mayo if you want richer mouthfeel, or use a vegan mayo and dairy-free yogurt to make this dairy-free.
- Cranberries: Chopped fresh apple is a nice swap for a crisper, less sweet bite.
Step-by-step instructions
- Prepare the mix-ins. Put the shredded or diced chicken in a large mixing bowl. Add the dried cranberries, chopped pecans, diced celery, and red onion. Toss to combine so everything is evenly distributed.
- Make the dressing. In a small bowl whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Whisk until smooth and slightly glossy.
- Combine. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture. Use a spatula to fold gently until all pieces are coated. Stop folding once the mixture is evenly dressed—overmixing can break up the chicken.
- Taste and season. Sample a spoonful. Add more salt or pepper if needed. A squeeze of lemon juice brightens the whole salad if you prefer.
- Chill. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and the dressing thicken slightly.
- Serve. When ready, garnish with chopped parsley and plate as desired.
Short sentences and clear actions make the process quick to follow while you’re prepping.
Best ways to enjoy it
- Sandwich: Pile between toasted whole-grain bread with baby spinach or arugula.
- Salad bowl: Serve a scoop on mixed greens with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon.
- Appetizer: Spoon onto crostini or endive leaves for a party platter.
- Meal prep: Portion into containers for grab-and-go lunches with pita pockets or crackers.
Pairings: crisp white wine or a citrusy iced tea. For sides, a light soup or roasted vegetable medley complements the texture and keeps the meal balanced.
Storage and reheating tips
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Keep refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or below.
- Freezing: Avoid freezing the fully dressed salad—yogurt and mayo separate and textures suffer. Instead, freeze cooked chicken separately if you want a long-term option (thaw and combine with fresh dressing).
- Serving after storage: Give it a gentle stir before serving; you may need to add a splash of yogurt or a teaspoon of mayonnaise if the dressing tightens up.
- Food safety: Discard any salad left at room temperature longer than 2 hours (1 hour if above 90°F / 32°C).
Pro chef tips
- Toast the pecans briefly in a dry pan until fragrant. This boosts nuttiness and contrast.
- Cut the celery and onion finely so they don’t overpower with big crunchy bites.
- Use slightly chilled chicken—the salad holds together better than when everything is warm.
- If you like extra tang, substitute half the honey with a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
- Make it a day ahead for deeper flavor; just stir again before serving.
For more salad inspiration and crunchy-texture ideas, see this Asian chicken crunch salad.
Creative twists
- Apple & Walnut: Swap cranberries for diced apple and pecans for toasted walnuts. Add a pinch of cinnamon for autumn vibes.
- Curry Chicken Salad: Stir in 1 teaspoon curry powder and swap pecans for golden raisins. Use slightly more yogurt for creaminess.
- Avocado Ranch: Fold in mashed avocado and add chopped chives for a creamy, mayo-forward version.
- Vegan option: Use mashed chickpeas in place of chicken, dairy-free yogurt, and vegan mayo; replace pecans with pumpkin seeds.
Common questions
Q: How long does it take to make this salad?
A: Active prep is about 10–15 minutes if you have cooked chicken. Chilling for 30 minutes is recommended but optional for immediate serving.
Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken?
A: Absolutely. Rotisserie is ideal—tender, seasoned, and ready to go. Remove skin and shred or dice before mixing.
Q: Can I make this nut-free?
A: Yes. Replace pecans with sunflower seeds or toasted chickpeas for crunch to accommodate nut allergies.
Q: Is this safe to pack for lunch?
A: Yes—keep the salad chilled in an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack and eat within 4–6 hours. Discard if it sits at room temperature longer than 2 hours.
Q: Can I reduce calories further?
A: Use all nonfat Greek yogurt and skip the mayo, or reduce the pecan amount. Adding more celery and less pecan keeps crunch while lowering calories.
Conclusion
If you want more variations and inspiration, check out this similar take on a Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad – Nourished Simply for ideas on presentation and portioning. For another home-cook-friendly recipe that swaps a few ingredients and techniques, take a look at this Cranberry and Pecan Chicken Salad – Nourished by Nic.
Enjoy building this into your weekly rotation—it’s forgiving, fast, and endlessly adaptable.
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie works great) Use leftover roast chicken, shredded poached chicken, or store-bought rotisserie for speed.
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries Chopped fresh apple is a nice swap for a crisper, less sweet bite.
- 1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped Replace with walnuts or sliced almonds if preferred (toast them in a dry skillet for 3–4 minutes for best aroma).
- 1/2 cup celery, finely diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced Cut finely so they don’t overpower with big crunchy bites.
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (plain) The yogurt keeps it tangy and lower-cal than using all mayo.
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise Swap to full mayo if you want richer mouthfeel, or use a vegan mayo and dairy-free yogurt to make this dairy-free.
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey If you like extra tang, substitute half the honey with a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Put the shredded or diced chicken in a large mixing bowl. Add the dried cranberries, chopped pecans, diced celery, and red onion. Toss to combine so everything is evenly distributed.
- In a small bowl whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Whisk until smooth and slightly glossy.
- Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture. Use a spatula to fold gently until all pieces are coated. Stop folding once the mixture is evenly dressed.
- Taste a spoonful and season with more salt or pepper if needed. A squeeze of lemon juice brightens the whole salad if you prefer.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and the dressing thicken slightly.
Serving
- Garnish with chopped parsley and plate as desired.
