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Home By Meal

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

★★★★★ 9 Reviews Recipe Print
gf
By: Erin10/13/21

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad is a must-try recipe that makes the perfect filling for wraps and sandwiches. It’s made with cranberries, red onion, celery, and loads of flavor components!

healthy chicken salad

The most delicious cranberry chicken salad

Regular chicken salad? Nah. Chicken salad filled with juicy dried cranberries and sweet chopped pecans? Yes. That’s exactly what we’re whipping up in today’s post, a delicious, flavor-filled cranberry pecan chicken salad recipe that totally hits the spot!

This is one of my go-to recipes for prepping on a Sunday. It makes a huge bowl so it’s great as a meal prep option or perfect for using as a dinner side for the entire family! And with flavors this good, even the pickiest eaters will be happy.

The salad is made with a mix of chicken, cranberries, celery, pecans, and red onion, and the dressing uses a Greek yogurt and mayo base to form a creamy, healthy topping.

healthy chicken salad wrap

Ingredients in cranberry pecan chicken salad

This cranberry pecan chicken salad recipe is overflowing with intense flavors. It uses a mix between savory and sweet for a flavor combo that totally hits the spot! You’ll need one set of ingredients for the salad and another for the homemade dressing.

Salad

  • Chicken: Start with 3 cups of cooked chicken. Dice it up into bite-sized pieces or smaller.
  • Celery: Next, add some crunch to the chicken salad with 1 cup of diced celery.
  • Pecans: Include 1/2 cup of pecans. Be sure to chop them into smaller pieces.
  • Cranberries: Add the fruity cranberry flavor with 1/2 cup of dried cranberries.
  • Red onion: Finally, finish the salad by adding 1/2 cup of diced red onion. This adds a nice bite and tastes fantastic alongside the pecans and cranberries!

Dressing

  • Greek yogurt: 1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt will make up the base of the dressing.
  • Mayonnaise: Combine that with 1/4 cup of mayonnaise.
  • Lemon juice: Next, add some tangy flavor with 1 tbsp of lemon juice.
  • Fresh dill: Throw in 3 tbsp of fresh dill for taste.
  • Seasonings: Finally, add 1/2 tsp each of garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
making healthy chicken salad

Tools needed to create this recipe

Chicken salad keeps things simple in the kitchen tools department. Start with a cutting board and knife for prepping the chicken and veggies. After that, you’ll just need a large mixing bowl, a smaller mixing bowl, and a stirring utensil.

For measuring, you will need 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/4 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup.

How to make chicken salad with cranberries and pecans

When your ingredients are ready and it’s time to dive into the “cooking” process, things are easy. Start by combining the salad ingredients, and then combine the dressing ingredients in another bowl. Mix it all together, and voila! Here is a full breakdown:

Begin by adding the diced chicken, celery, pecans, cranberries, and red onion to a large mixing bowl.

In a smaller mixing bowl, mix together all of the ingredients for the dressing.

Pour the dressing over the top of the chicken mixture and stir until it’s well combined.

Chill the salad in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before eating.

making healthy chicken salad

How to serve cranberry chicken salad

Chicken salad can be served in your favorite wraps, enjoyed on a sandwich, added to various salad dishes, or eaten straight out of the container with a fork!

Ways to switch up the recipe

There are a few ways you can mix and match the ingredients to create variations.

Pecans
The first way is with the nuts! You can swap pecans with walnuts, peanuts, or whichever type you prefer. They’ll all taste great!

Dried cranberries
Not a cranberry fan? Try a different dried fruit! So many options will work, whether you use dried apples, raisins, or even dates!

Red onion
Finally, the red onion can be swapped with white or yellow. Use your favorite type!

healthy chicken salad wrap

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

I couldn’t send you on your way without a few related recipes! Whether you’re craving some more pecan dishes or want another idea for cranberry something, you’ve got options.

  • Healthy Pecan Pie Bars
  • Cinnamon Toast Granola
  • Cranberry Quinoa Salad
  • Healthy White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by Quarter Soul Crisis

★★★★★ 5 from 9 reviews

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad is a must-try recipe that makes the perfect filling for wraps and sandwiches. It’s made with cranberries, red onion, celery, and loads of flavor components!

Prep: 10Cook: 45Total: 55 minutes
Yield 8 servings 1x
Print Pin it Rate

Ingredients

  • 3 cups cooked chicken, diced
  • 1 cup celery, diced
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion

Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup greek yogurt, plain
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp fresh dill
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, add your diced chicken, celery, pecans, cranberries, and red onion.
  2. In a smaller bowl, mix together all of the ingredients for the dressing.
  3. Pour the dressing over top of the chicken mixture and stir until well combined.
  4. Let chill in fridge for 30 minutes before eating.
  5. Serve in a wrap, in salads, or straight with a fork!
Author: ErinCategory: lunch, meal prep, chickenMethod: meal prepCuisine: AmericanDiet: Gluten Free

Did you make this?

Leave a comment below and tag @erinliveswhole on social media!

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There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂

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Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. carly says

    Posted on 12/5 at 10:59 am

    the BEST chicken salad you will ever make. it’s a staple! so so delish

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/5 at 3:19 pm

      Hi Carly, so glad you loved it!

      Reply
  2. Kaitlyn says

    Posted on 12/4 at 4:41 pm

    You cannot go wrong with any of Erin’s chicken salad recipes, but I love the flavor combinations in this one! I typically use a soy based yogurt (instead of Greek yogurt) and put it on top spinach for an easy lunch for work. SO easy, delicious, and fun! Thanks, Erin, for making our stomachs so full and happy!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/5 at 2:27 pm

      Hi Kaitlyn, so glad you loved it! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Kara says

    Posted on 11/16 at 12:05 pm

    This is so delicious. I use quartered grapes instead of craisins and use rotisserie chicken. Such an easy and healthy lunch!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/16 at 4:23 pm

      Hi Kara, so glad you loved it and made it your own! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Katie S says

    Posted on 11/7 at 7:07 pm

    A staple for meal prepping for the week! Highly recommend this recipe as a healthier chicken salad, that’s way tastier than the store bought! Thanks Erin!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/8 at 12:07 pm

      Hi Katie, so happy you loved it so much! 🙂

      Reply
  5. paige says

    Posted on 10/30 at 7:26 pm

    Amazing! Full of flavor. One of my favorite chicken salad recipes. The dill really makes it! I’ll be eating this all week for lunch 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/31 at 7:24 pm

      Hi Paige, so glad you loved it!!

      Reply
  6. Megan says

    Posted on 10/21 at 7:25 pm

    Amazing flavors. This is chicken salad turned up a notch. Great over lettuce or in wraps!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/24 at 6:31 pm

      Hi Megan, so glad you liked it and great idea! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Cheryl says

    Posted on 10/18 at 4:42 pm

    Did you use avocado mayo or regular? Can you sub coconut yogurt to make it Gf/df?

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/19 at 3:39 pm

      Hi Cheryl, you can use either! Both work and yes, you can sub it!

      Reply
  8. Lea says

    Posted on 8/4 at 7:57 am

    Another gluten free recipe that’s delicious! Thank you 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/4 at 4:06 pm

      Hi Lea, so happy you loved the salad! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Lisa James says

    Posted on 2/28 at 3:55 pm

    I’ll be making this beautiful salad this w-end, can’t wait to dive in. I absolutely love the cranberries and chicken and pecans mixture you get all the health benefits just by even saying them thank you for posting, Lisa’s (G-Ma in the kitchen)

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 3/1 at 3:31 pm

      Hi Lisa, thanks and let me know how it comes out!

      Reply
  10. Emily says

    Posted on 10/25 at 12:55 pm

    ELW is my go-to when I need to a good and healthy recipe. I meal prepped this for the week and can’t get enough of it 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/25 at 3:13 pm

      Hi Emily, so happy you loved the salad!!

      Reply
  11. Kathryn says

    Posted on 10/24 at 2:43 pm

    Made this as a meal prep for lunch for the week after making the pesto chicken salad all summer long, it was easy and delicious. Love the combo of the dill and cranberry flavors!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/25 at 2:58 pm

      Hi Kathryn, so happy you loved the salad!!

      Reply

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I’m Erin. Creator of Erin Lives Whole, a food blog with delicious and easy healthy recipes that will leave you feeling good. We’ve got everything from wholesome baked goods to comforting savory dishes. I can’t wait to see what you whip up! Read More...

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