Description
A flavorful Apple Cranberry Chicken Salad combining savory chicken, sweet apples, crunchy pecans, and tart dried cranberries bound together with a creamy mayonnaise dressing. This easy-to-make salad is perfect for sandwiches, lettuce cups, or as a satisfying meal-prep lunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Salad
- 12 oz. cooked and cubed or shredded chicken (about 3 cups)
- 1 cup finely diced apple
- 1/2 cup toasted pecans
- 1/3 cup finely diced celery
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
Dressing
- 1/3-1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon pepper
- Optional: 1-2 Tablespoons fresh herbs (like tarragon, dill, or parsley)
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, finely diced apple, toasted pecans, celery, and dried cranberries thoroughly.
- Add Dressing Ingredients: Add 1/3 cup of mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, salt, pepper, and optional fresh herbs to the bowl. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly, adding up to 1/2 cup mayonnaise if a creamier texture is preferred.
- Taste & Adjust: Sample the chicken salad mixture and add additional salt, pepper, or herbs as needed to suit your taste preferences.
- Serve & Store: Serve the chicken salad immediately on sandwiches, in lettuce cups, or enjoy as is. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Notes
- This chicken salad balances savory, sweet, creamy, and crunchy elements perfectly, making it a favorite meal-prep option.
- Use gluten-free mayonnaise and dried cranberries to keep the recipe gluten-free and paleo-friendly.
- To toast pecans, bake them in a single layer at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes, stirring once to ensure even browning.
- Feel free to substitute apples with pears for a different fruity twist.
- Fresh herbs like dill or tarragon add a refreshing flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3/4 cup chicken salad
- Calories: 267 kcal
- Sugar: 9.2 g
- Sodium: 436 mg
- Fat: 15.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: estimated 10.0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12.3 g
- Fiber: 2.3 g
- Protein: 15.3 g
- Cholesterol: 45.1 mg
