Description
Cranberry pecan chicken salad delivers a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors. Crisp greens, tender chicken, tart cranberries, and crunchy pecans drizzled with zesty poppy seed dressing invite you to savor each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
Fruits and Nuts:
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces, ensuring uniform texture for even distribution.
- Finely dice the celery and red onion to provide a crisp, sharp contrast to the tender chicken.
- Add dried cranberries and roughly chopped pecans to the chicken mixture, creating a balance of sweet and nutty flavors.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk mayonnaise until smooth and creamy.
- Incorporate poppy seeds, apple cider vinegar, and honey into the mayonnaise, blending until the dressing achieves a consistent, glossy appearance.
- Gently fold the dressing into the chicken mixture, ensuring each ingredient is evenly coated without breaking down the delicate components.
- Season with salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting the seasoning to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Cover the salad and refrigerate for 30-45 minutes, allowing the ingredients to marinate and develop a harmonious taste.
- Before serving, give the salad a light stir to redistribute the dressing and ingredients.
- Serve chilled as a refreshing and satisfying meal or side dish.
Notes
- Swap mayo for Greek yogurt to reduce calories and add protein boost for a healthier version.
- Toast pecans briefly to enhance their nutty flavor and create a more complex taste profile.
- Prepare chicken salad ahead of time and store in refrigerator up to 3 days for quick meal prep convenience.
- Use rotisserie chicken for faster assembly and added convenience without sacrificing flavor quality.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 80mg