This Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad is creamy, crunchy, sweet, and savory all in one delicious bowl! Tender chicken is combined with dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, crisp celery, and a creamy dressing. It’s perfect for sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups, or meal prep.

Ingredients

For the Chicken Salad

3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
½ cup celery, finely chopped
⅓ cup dried cranberries
½ cup pecans, roughly chopped
2 green onions, finely chopped, optional
1 small apple, finely diced, optional

For the Creamy Dressing

½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp lemon juice
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp salt, or to taste
¼ tsp black pepper

Optional Garnish

Extra chopped pecans
Extra dried cranberries
Fresh parsley
Sliced green onions

Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken

Use cooked, cooled chicken. You can use shredded rotisserie chicken, baked chicken breasts, or leftover cooked chicken.

Place the chicken in a large mixing bowl.

2. Add the mix-ins

Add the chopped celery, dried cranberries, pecans, green onions, and diced apple if using.

3. Make the dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together:

Mayonnaise
Greek yogurt
Dijon mustard
Honey
Lemon juice
Garlic powder
Salt
Black pepper

Mix until smooth and creamy.

4. Combine

Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture. Gently stir until everything is evenly coated.

5. Chill

Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.

6. Serve

Serve chilled in sandwiches, wraps, croissants, lettuce cups, or over a fresh green salad.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6

Approximate Nutrition Per Serving

Nutrition values are estimates and will vary depending on the chicken, mayonnaise, yogurt, and other brands used.

Calories: 390–450
Protein: 24–30g
Carbohydrates: 14–18g
Fat: 25–32g
Fiber: 2–3g
Sugar: 8–12g

Nut Information & Allergy Notes

This recipe contains tree nuts: PECANS.

Contains:

Tree Nuts: Pecans
Egg: Mayonnaise may contain eggs
Milk/Dairy: Greek yogurt

Peanut-Free

The recipe does not contain peanuts as written, but always check ingredient labels for possible cross-contact warnings.

Nut-Free Option

For a completely nut-free version, replace the pecans with:

Roasted pumpkin seeds
Sunflower seeds
Crispy chickpeas
Extra celery for crunch

Dairy-Free Option

Replace the Greek yogurt with dairy-free plain yogurt. Check the label carefully, as some plant-based yogurts may contain almonds, cashews, or other tree nuts.

Gluten-Free

This chicken salad is naturally gluten-free when prepared with certified gluten-free mayonnaise, mustard, and other packaged ingredients.

Tips & Variations

Use different chicken

Rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken, baked chicken, or leftover turkey all work wonderfully.

Make it lighter

Replace all or part of the mayonnaise with extra Greek yogurt.

Add extra sweetness

The diced apple adds a fresh, naturally sweet crunch.

Add a little spice

Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce.

Low-Carb Option

Skip the apple and serve the chicken salad in lettuce wraps or over mixed greens.

Serving Ideas

Enjoy it:

In a sandwich
In a wrap
On croissants
In lettuce cups
Over a green salad
With crackers

Q&A

Q: Can I make Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad ahead of time?

Yes! It can be prepared a day in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Q: How long does it last in the refrigerator?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

Q: Can I freeze chicken salad?

Freezing is not recommended because the mayonnaise and yogurt dressing can separate, and the celery may become watery after thawing.

Q: Can I use fresh cranberries?

Dried cranberries work best because fresh cranberries are very tart. If using fresh cranberries, chop them finely and adjust the honey to balance the tartness.

Q: What can I use instead of pecans?

Walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or crispy chickpeas are great alternatives. For a nut-free version, choose seeds or crispy chickpeas.

Q: Can I use only Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise?

Yes! The flavor will be tangier and lighter, and it can add a little extra protein.

Q: What is the best chicken to use?

Cooked chicken breast is lean and high in protein, while chicken thighs provide a richer flavor. Rotisserie chicken is a quick and convenient option.

Q: Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Absolutely! Divide it into individual containers and enjoy it for easy lunches. For the best texture, keep any bread or crackers separate until serving.

Creamy, crunchy, sweet, and savory—this Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad is an easy and delicious meal any day of the week!

Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad