My easy cranberry chicken salad has become one of my favorite recipes to make for lunch or even a light dinner. It’s creamy, a little sweet, and full of delicious texture from dried cranberries, crunchy celery, and pecans. Comes together quick and easy for a meal everyone is sure to enjoy.

Chicken salad is one of those recipes you can make a hundred different ways and never get bored. Change up the add ins, chop or shred your chicken, try a different dressing, and you have a completely new recipe. I think that is why I love making it so much.

I have a hard time choosing a favorite version because there are so many good ones like my Sonoma chicken salad and pineapple chicken salad. But I have to admit, lately this cranberry chicken salad has been at the top of my list. The combination of chicken, cranberries, and pecans is just so good.

I actually started testing this recipe several months ago and it was one of those recipes I didn’t mind making over and over again. Each time I made a batch I found myself looking forward to having it for lunch the next day.

No matter if you are making this for lunch for the week, to serve at a party, or to serve at a brunch, this is a must try chicken salad recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A delicious way to use rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken.
• Wonderful texture. Creamy and crunchy this has it all.
• Great for meal prep. If you want to change up your lunch, make a batch of this creamy cranberry chicken salad for the week.
• Perfect for entertaining. Serve on mini croissants for a brunch, baby shower, holiday lunch, and more.
• Can be customized. You can make this your own with a few different variations. Scroll down for some ideas.

Ingredients

This creamy cranberry chicken salad is made with simple, delicious ingredients and a flavorful dressing.

• Chicken: I like using rotisserie chicken to keep this fast and easy to make. You can also use grilled chicken or leftover chicken. Chop or shred the chicken into small, bite sized pieces.
• Dried cranberries: Dried cranberries are like little jewels in the chicken salad. They have the best combination of sweet and tart flavor.
• Celery: Crisp and crunchy celery is the perfect addition to this recipe. Make sure to dice into small pieces.
• Green onions: These add color and mild onion flavor.
• Pecans: Chopped pecans pair beautifully with the dried cranberries and also add extra crunch.
• Mayonnaise: The creamy base for the chicken salad dressing.
• Sour cream: Sour cream adds a little richness and tang to the dressing.
• Dijon mustard: Adds great flavor and helps to balance.
• Honey: Just a little bit of honey enhances the sweetness of the cranberries.
• Celery seed: This is one of my favorite secret ingredients to add to chicken salad. It gives the dressing a little something more that makes it extra special.
• Garlic powder, salt, ground black pepper: Simple seasonings to bring everything together.

How To Make Cranberry Chicken Salad

1. Begin by making the dressing. Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, honey, celery seed, salt, and pepper.
2. In a large bowl, toss together the shredded chicken, celery, green onions, pecans, and dried cranberries.

3. Stir in the dressing.
4. Make sure to stir until all the ingredients are coated.

5. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. This will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

Heather’s recipe tips

• Shred or chop the chicken small. This makes it easier to eat.
• For extra flavor, lightly toast the chopped pecans. Let them cool before adding into the chicken salad.
• Don’t skip the celery seed because it adds such great flavor.
• Let it chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors come together.

Variations

Make this your own with a few substitutions and additions.

• Nuts: Make a cranberry nut chicken salad by adding in chopped pecans, almonds, or walnuts.
• Fruit: Add more fruit like diced apples, pears, or grapes.
• Turkey: Substitute the chicken with shredded turkey. This is a great way to use leftover turkey.
• Cheese: Mix in some cheese for extra flavor like crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese.
• Herbs: Add in fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or dill.
• Fall inspired: Stir in diced apples, chopped pecans, and a little rosemary for a delicious fall lunch or Thanksgiving meal.

How To Serve Cranberry Chicken Salad

There are many great ways to serve this easy chicken salad recipe.

Bread: Croissants, sourdough bread, wheat bread, or even mini Hawaiian rolls.

Tortilla: Make it a wrap by using flour tortillas or spinach tortillas.

Salad: Serve a scoop of this chicken cranberry salad on top of a bed of lettuce or in lettuce cups.

Crackers: Use butter crackers, Saltines, or Wheat Thins as a scoop for this chicken salad.

Apple slices: I like serving a scoop of cranberry chicken salad on top of an apple slice for a light meal or snack.

Storage

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

You can make this the night before, just make sure to keep it covered in the refrigerator.

I don’t recommend freezing this because it doesn’t thaw well.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Chicken Salad

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