If you want a cranberry chicken salad that’s tart, crunchy, and perfectly balanced, I’ve got the recipe for you! I’ve made this recipe to be similar to a classic chicken salad, but with a festive, wintery vibe. It’s perfect for meal prep, for lunches, and the best way to use up leftover chicken. Let me show you how it’s done, with just a handful of ingredients and ten minutes of prep.
Tender chicken, sweet cranberries, toasted pecans, and crunchy celery all wrapped up in a creamy dressing. This is good. Really, really good.
It’s a classic chicken salad with a festive, wintery vibe. Because cranberries and pecans put all recipes into the holiday category, right? But who are we kidding – this is a recipe we eat year-round.
Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or meal-prepping for the week, this is the recipe you’ll want to make!
Key ingredients to gather
You don’t need many ingredients to make a delicious cranberry chicken salad, but every item you use plays its own essential role. Gather these items:
- Chicken breasts: A hearty, protein base. You can use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken, too!
- Celery: Essential for a satisfying crunch and subtle earthiness.
- Dried cranberries: For a burst of tart sweetness.
- Toasted pecans: For crunch and nutty flavor. You can swap these for walnuts, if you’d like.
For another variation, try our chicken salad recipe made with grapes, almonds, and a little dill. It’s delicious, too!
Serving ideas
This chicken salad with cranberries is delicious any way you serve it. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- On top of salad greens in a bowl.
- Tucked inside a lettuce wrap.
- In a sandwich.
- In a buttery croissant – such a treat!
- Spooned on top of crackers.
- In crispy wonton cups for a fun party appetizer.
Cranberry Chicken Salad with Pecans
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Ingredients
- ▢ 2 chicken breasts (or 3 cups cooked shredded chicken)
- ▢ 2 stalks celery (minced)
- ▢ ¼ cup chopped green onions
- ▢ ½ cup EACH: mayonnaise, dried cranberries, toasted pecans
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon EACH: sea salt and pepper
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in a small pot and cover them with water. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, until they’re cooked through. Remove them from the pot and shred the meat using 2 forks. Let the chicken cool. 2 chicken breasts
- Place the shredded chicken in a large bowl. Add the celery, green onions, mayonnaise, cranberries, pecans, salt, and pepper and mix well. 2 stalks celery, ¼ cup chopped green onions, ½ cup EACH: mayonnaise, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, ¼ teaspoon EACH: sea salt and pepper
- Serve the cranberry chicken salad over greens, in a sandwich, or with crackers.
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here .
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Easy chicken lunch recipes
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Curried Wheat Berry Chicken Salad
Cranberry Chicken Salad with Pecans
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts , or 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 2 stalks celery , minced
- ¼ cup chopped green onions
- ½ cup EACH: mayonnaise, dried cranberries, toasted pecans
- ¼ teaspoon EACH: sea salt and pepper
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in a small pot and cover them with water. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, until they’re cooked through. Remove them from the pot and shred the meat using 2 forks. Let the chicken cool. 2 chicken breasts
- Place the shredded chicken in a large bowl. Add the celery, green onions, mayonnaise, cranberries, pecans, salt, and pepper and mix well. 2 stalks celery, ¼ cup chopped green onions, ½ cup EACH: mayonnaise, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, ¼ teaspoon EACH: sea salt and pepper
- Serve the cranberry chicken salad over greens, in a sandwich, or with crackers.
