Description
A delicious and fresh Apple Cranberry Chicken Salad combining savory cooked chicken with sweet apples, tart dried cranberries, crunchy toasted pecans, and celery, dressed in a creamy lemon-mayo dressing. Perfect for sandwiches, lettuce cups, or meal prep lunches, offering a delightful balance of flavors and textures.
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 Tbsp fresh herbs (like tarragon, dill, or parsley)
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, diced apple, toasted pecans, finely diced celery, and dried cranberries, mixing gently to distribute evenly.
- Add Dressing Ingredients. Add 1/3 cup of mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs if using. Stir thoroughly to coat all ingredients, adding additional mayonnaise up to 1/2 cup depending on desired creaminess and dressing level.
- Taste & Adjust. Sample the chicken salad and adjust seasoning by adding more salt, pepper, or herbs as preferred to balance flavors.
- Serve & Store. Serve the chicken salad immediately on sandwiches, in lettuce cups, or your preferred way. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Notes
- This chicken salad is a perfect balance of savory, sweet, creamy, and crunchy textures.
- Use fresh, crisp apples for best flavor and texture contrast.
- To toast pecans, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently.
- For a healthier option, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or a light mayo alternative.
- The salad can be meal-prepped and stored up to 4 days, allowing flavors to meld beautifully.
- Gluten-Free and Paleo-friendly variations are possible by ensuring mayonnaise and other ingredients meet those dietary standards.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 0.75 cup
- Calories: 267 kcal
- Sugar: 9.2 g
- Sodium: 435.6 mg
- Fat: 15.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12.9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12.3 g
- Fiber: 2.3 g
- Protein: 15.3 g
- Cholesterol: 45.1 mg
