The Best Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad for Any Occasion!

If you’re looking for a chicken salad recipe that is a step above the ordinary, one that is loaded with texture and perfectly balanced flavors, then you have arrived at the right place.

Today, we’re making a classic cranberry pecan chicken salad. It’s a timeless combination that is elegant enough for a special luncheon but easy enough for a quick weekday meal.

We’ll start with tender, savory shredded chicken and crunchy celery, then fold in sweet, chewy dried cranberries and buttery, toasted pecans.

All of this is brought together with a simple, creamy dressing seasoned with a hint of Dijon and fresh herbs. It’s a delightful mix of savory, sweet, tangy, and crunchy in every single bite.

This is a recipe that never goes out of style and is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Quick Recipe Snapshot

Here’s a quick look at how easily this elegant and flavorful salad comes together.

Ingredients

This classic chicken salad comes together with a handful of simple, high-quality ingredients.

• Shredded Cooked Chicken – Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken is a wonderful time-saver and adds great flavor. You can also use any leftover cooked and shredded chicken breast or thighs.
  • 3 servings: 2 cups
  • 6 servings: 4 cups
• Celery: 2-3 ribs, finely chopped for a fresh, savory crunch.
• Red Onion: ¼ of a large onion, very finely minced for a sharp, aromatic bite.
• Dried Cranberries: ½ cup.
• Toasted Pecans: ½ cup, coarsely chopped.

For the Creamy Dressing:

• Mayonnaise: 1 cup. A high-quality mayonnaise will make a noticeable difference.
• Lemon Juice: 1 tbsp, freshly squeezed.
• Dijon Mustard: 1 tbsp.
• Fresh Dill or Parsley: 2 tbsp, finely chopped.
• Salt and Black Pepper: To taste.

The Flavor Architects A Look at the Ingredients

• Dried Cranberries: These provide essential pops of tart sweetness and a pleasant chewy texture that beautifully contrasts with the savory chicken.
• Toasted Pecans: Adding these brings a buttery richness and a delightful nutty crunch, making the salad more satisfying and complex.
• Dijon Mustard: This is the secret weapon in the dressing, adding a sharp, tangy, and complex flavor that cuts through the richness of the mayonnaise.
• Lemon Juice: Provides a crucial touch of bright, fresh acidity that lifts all the other flavors and keeps the salad from feeling heavy.
• Celery & Red Onion: These are the foundational savory and crunchy elements, providing a fresh, aromatic base that is classic to any chicken salad.

Essential Tools

This is a simple mix-and-serve recipe that requires no special equipment.

• Large mixing bowl
• Spatula or large spoon
• Whisk
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Dry skillet for toasting nuts

Cooking Instructions

This elegant salad is a simple, no-cook assembly that comes together in just a few easy steps, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.

Step 1: Toast the Pecans

This is a small step that makes a huge difference in flavor. Place your chopped pecans in a small, dry skillet over medium heat.

Toast them for 3-5 minutes, tossing them frequently, until they become fragrant and are a slightly deeper shade of brown. Watch them carefully as nuts can burn quickly. Once toasted, immediately transfer them to a plate to cool down completely.

This process awakens their natural oils and makes them much crunchier and more flavorful.

Step 2: Create the Creamy Dressing

While the pecans cool, you can prepare the simple yet flavorful dressing. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. Add the finely chopped fresh dill or parsley.

Whisk all the ingredients together until the dressing is smooth, creamy, and well-combined. Season the dressing with a generous pinch of salt and freshly cracked black pepper to your taste.

Step 3: Combine the Salad Ingredients

To the bowl containing your prepared dressing, add the shredded chicken, the finely chopped celery, and the finely minced red onion. Use a large spatula to gently fold all of the ingredients together.

Continue to mix until every piece of chicken and vegetable is evenly and generously coated in the creamy Dijon dressing. This gentle folding motion keeps the shredded chicken in nice pieces.

Step 4: Fold in the Stars and Chill

Once the base of the salad is mixed, it’s time to add the signature ingredients. Add the dried cranberries and the cooled, toasted pecans to the bowl. Gently fold them into the chicken salad until they are just distributed.

For the best flavor, cover the bowl and allow the salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This gives the dried cranberries time to soften slightly and allows all the flavors to meld together into a cohesive, delicious final product.

Recipe Variations

This classic recipe is a perfect template for your own delicious additions.

• Add Some Fruit: For an extra touch of sweetness and freshness, try adding ½ cup of halved red grapes or a finely chopped apple (like a Honeycrisp or Granny Smith).
• Different Nuts: Toasted slivered almonds or chopped walnuts would be a fantastic substitute for the pecans.
• Creamier Base: For an even richer and tangier dressing, you can substitute half of the mayonnaise with an equal amount of plain Greek yogurt or sour cream.

Serving Suggestions

This cranberry pecan chicken salad is wonderfully versatile and can be served in many elegant ways.

• Classic Croissant Sandwich: Serve a generous scoop on a large, flaky, buttery croissant with a leaf of butter lettuce for the ultimate sandwich.
• On a Bed of Greens: For a beautiful and light lunch, serve a scoop of the chicken salad over a bed of fresh mixed greens or arugula.
• With Crackers: Serve it as a simple and elegant appetizer in a bowl surrounded by a variety of your favorite crackers.
• Stuffed Tomato or Avocado: For a lovely presentation, serve the chicken salad stuffed into a hollowed-out ripe tomato or half an avocado.

Storage & Reheating Tips

This salad is a fantastic make-ahead dish, perfect for meal prep.

• Storage: Store the cranberry pecan chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: This salad is designed to be eaten cold. Do not reheat it.
• Flavor Note: The flavors will continue to meld and improve overnight. If the salad seems a bit dry after a day or two in the fridge, you can stir in an extra tablespoon of mayonnaise to freshen it up and restore its creaminess.

Common Mistakes & Fixes

FAQs

Can I use a different kind of dried fruit?

Yes, this recipe is very flexible. If you don’t have dried cranberries, chopped dried cherries, golden raisins, or finely chopped dried apricots would all be delicious substitutes, each offering a slightly different sweet and tart flavor.

What is the best chicken to use for chicken salad?

For the best texture and flavor, a mix of white and dark meat from a store-bought rotisserie chicken is ideal.

If you prefer to cook your own, poaching 2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in seasoned water is a great way to ensure the meat is moist and tender.

Can I make this salad ahead of time for a party?

Absolutely. This is a perfect make-ahead dish. You can prepare it up to 24 hours in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator.

For the best texture, you may want to wait to stir in the toasted pecans until just before you plan to serve it.

Enjoy This Timeless Classic!

You are now ready to make a cranberry pecan chicken salad that is truly a cut above the rest.

It’s the perfect combination of savory, sweet, crunchy, and creamy, and it’s destined to become a staple in your recipe collection. I hope you love this elegant and incredibly delicious dish!