Chicken salad is one of those things that is unique to it’s maker and their taste. There are millions of ways to throw together this cool yumminess but this Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad is at the top of my list of favorites. This salad is slightly elegant if dressed up on a fancy croissant or it can be dressed down on plain white bread. However if you like this it should really be a staple in your fridge during the warmer months . There is nothing better than a cool and creamy chicken salad sandwich on a hot summer day. The only thing that might be better is some cool refreshing like Strawberry and Lemon Coleslaw so check it out also.
The beauty of this recipe is it is so easy, I am all about making life easy
HOW TO MAKE CRANBERRY PECAN CHICKEN SALAD
- First you need 3 cups of shredded chicken. I cooked frozen chicken breast in my pressure cooker and then shredded them. That was easiest for me BUT you can use left over chicken or even a rotisserie chicken from the deli..
- Then chop a 1/2 cup of celery and pecans and place in the bowl with the chicken
- Measure a 1/2 cup of dried cranberries and place with the chicken and mix well
In a medium Bowl mix the mayo, Lemon juice, sugar , salt and pepper
Pour the mayo mixture over the chicken salad mixture
Mix Well and place in a covered container in the Refrigerator
This is really best after it has chilled for atleast 2 hours. Once it chills, give it a good stir .Depending on the cut of chicken it may need more mayo added. Now it can be served on what ever you like.
ENJOY!!
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped Celery
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1 1/2 cup mayo
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 2 tablesppons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Place shredded chicken in a mixing bowl along with the cranberries,pecans and celery and toss together
- In a mixing bowl mix together the mayo, lemon juice , sugar , salt and pepper
- Pour mayo mixture over the chickn mixture and mix well
- Cover and refrigerate cover a few hours before serving
- Serve on crossiants , bread or with crackers
Video
i loved this different take on chicken salad sandwiches or even crackers. it was so yummy even plain with a fork. lol so yummy
Thank You Krissy..It is so yummy!!
I have searched high and low for this recipe! I had it saved, then couldn’t find it! It’s an amazing flavor, there’s something about making the dressing, that is a game changer here, marking this recipe far better than any other I’ve made! There was a deli my mom and I use to go to in Houston, called Buteras. Their chicken salad was to die for, there was an ingredient we could never put our fingers on, this comes really close. I think they probably made their own Mayo? I’m so grateful to find this again, thank you!
Lisa I’m so glad you love this chicken salad , it is a favorite for me also. You are so kind !
I add chicken bouillon granules to this recipes for extra flavor.
Hi Alan , I am not sure how bouillon granules would work in this , I wouldn’t advise it since the dressing is a little sweet. If you boil your chicken by all means use it in the water .
A most wonderful recipe. We love cranberry pecan chicken salad…and use to purchase it from our local Sams….it was good but pricey..now i have a recioe that puts Sam”s to shame. We are making it weekly
Thank you for your kind words , I am so glad you are enjoying this recipe as much as we do.
The pecans and cranberries really elevate this chicken salad. Brilliant! This is such a fantastic, satisfying dish.
You are so right !! Thank you for your kind words!!
Love the combination of cranberry and pecans. Will have to try it with chicken!
It is a great combination..Thanks Matt!!
I love the idea of eating it on a croissant and the flavours sound amazing!
The Croissant really adds a nice buttery sweetness..Thank you!!
Have you ever replaced the mayo with plain Greek yogurt?
Hi Patty , I have never used Greek Yogurt instead of mayo . I you do let us know your results.
Yum! I love all of these ingredients! I feel like some crisp green apples would taste delicious in this too. I can’t wait to try!
Green Apples would be a great addition..Thanks Lisa!!
And a few grapes to boot! Apples, grapes, craisens and pecans…perfection. Hide the bowl from me before I eat it all! (That dressing is perfect.)
This will be my dinner tomorrow….looks yummy 😍
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I make this all the time with grapes instead of crasins. I use seedless red grapes and white grapes sliced in half. Also you can add some tarragon for the step that brings it over the top. My son eats this by the bowl.
Absolutely delicious. I used slivered almonds since that’s all I had and it worked well. Do you have the nutritional information by chance?
I am so glad you enjoyed it! I don’t have the nutritional info there are several apps that will calculate it , my fitness pal is what my husband uses.
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Thank you for your kind words.
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Going to make this over the weekend. Looks fabulous! How many servings does this recipe make? How many calories per serving?
Hi Chris ..Thanks for your kind words this is a fantastic chicken salad. Depending on your serving size you should be able to get 4-6 serving from this recipe. I generally don’t put nutritional info on recipes because it can differ greatly depending on ingredients . In the past I have used apps like My fitness pal to calculate this info by just plugging in the ingredients by brand. I hope you enjoy this wonderful salad.
I made this last weekend. It’s fabulous!
I am so glad you enjoyed it . This is one of my favorite ways to make chicken salad.
I am making this tonight and I can’t wait. I know my hubs and I are going to love it. You always have the best recipes.
Aww thank you so much !! I hope you both enjoy it.
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I tried this recipe just as you have written it and I must say it is the best recipe I have ever tried . I have made it numerous times since then and will always continue to make it by your recipe. I’m one if I make it and it’s a hit I never change . It definitely was a hit in my house and others . I’m getting ready to make it for a church function Tuesday night . I have no doubts about using it or adding and taking away anything !!! Thank you for sharing this with me …Um um
Hi Pam , Thanks for your feedback and kind words. I am so glad you enjoy this recipe , it is a family favorite at my house as well. This is my go recipe for chicken salad.
Please tell me if you can use canned chicken with this recipe.
I really would appreciate a response. Thank you!!! Be blessed and be encouraged.
Hi Jaunita , IN a pinch I have used canned chicken breast with this recipe. As long as you like canned chicken the results are great.
This was perfect… super easy to make, delicious and much cheaper than store-bought!
I am so glad you liked Rebeca .
how many will it make?
I’ve made so many versions of chicken salad over the years and must put this at the top of my favorites list. So delicious!
Thanks Suellen for your feedback, I am so glad you enjoyed the chicken salad . It is one of my favorites for sure.
There were so many recipes for Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad, WHY did I choose this one. I don’t really know but I’m sure glad I did. I love it and so does my wife. We had ours on a fresh croissant with a little lettuce, so, so good! I will definitely be making this again and again. Oh! I couldn’t find just dried cranberries but I did find a dried cranberry and blueberry mixture so that’s what I used.
Thank you Charlie , I am so glad you and your wife enjoyed this chicken salad. The cranberry and blueberry mixture sounds really good.
How many calories are in a serving of the Chicken Salad?
Thank you…
I don’t calculate that since it can change greatly according to brands of products . There are several apps that can be used to figure it out for you.
Love this! In Wisconsin we add dried cherries with the crasins and a tsp. of chutney! Lovely to hear about the regional options! Can you tell us what brand of mayo you are using?
Wow , that sounds like some great additions .I love to hear about how other people in other parts of the country like things. As far as mayo in this a typically use Hellmans which east of the Rocky Mountains would be Best Food. I also love Duke’s mayo but find it a little harsh in chicken salad .
Just found your recipes and site. Thank you, they sound and look delicious. Can’t wait to try them. Thanks again. B I am very happy to have found your site!! Have a nice day.