Description
Sumptuous pecan chicken salad delivers a delightful blend of crunchy pecans, tender chicken, and crisp greens. Delicate flavors and textures dance together, creating a refreshing meal you’ll savor with every delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped
Nuts and Dried Fruit:
- 1/2 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
Fresh Vegetables and Dressing:
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Mixed greens or lettuce for serving
Instructions
- Chop cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and roughly chop toasted pecans to ensure even distribution throughout the salad.
- Dice celery and red onion into fine, uniform pieces to provide a consistent crunch and balanced flavor profile.
- Finely slice dried cranberries to help them integrate more evenly with the other ingredients.
- Whisk mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar in a separate bowl until the dressing becomes smooth and creamy.
- Season the dressing with salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting seasoning to ensure a harmonious flavor balance.
- Gently fold the dressing into the chicken mixture, ensuring each ingredient is thoroughly coated without breaking down the delicate components.
- Allow the salad to rest for 5-10 minutes at room temperature to let the flavors meld together before serving.
- Serve chilled on a bed of crisp mixed greens or as a filling for sandwiches, wraps, or croissants for a versatile meal option.
- Garnish with additional chopped pecans or fresh herbs for an enhanced visual appeal and extra texture.
Notes
- Toast pecans carefully to enhance their nutty flavor and prevent burning, watching them closely in the pan or oven.
- Dice chicken and vegetables uniformly for balanced texture and even distribution of ingredients throughout the salad.
- Adjust mayonnaise quantity based on personal preference for creaminess, adding gradually while mixing to control consistency.
- Substitute mayo with Greek yogurt or vegan alternatives for lighter, dietary-specific versions of the chicken salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg