Description

This Apple Cranberry Chicken Salad is a delightful combination of savory, sweet, creamy, and crunchy flavors. Made with tender cooked chicken, crisp apples, toasted pecans, celery, and dried cranberries, all tossed in a tangy mayonnaise and lemon juice dressing. Perfect for meal prep lunches or a quick, satisfying meal served in sandwiches or lettuce cups.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

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 Ingredients

1/3-1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4-1/2 teaspoon pepper
Optional: 1-2 tablespoons fresh herbs (like tarragon, dill, or parsley)

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Instructions

Combine Salad Ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, finely diced apple, toasted pecans, finely diced celery, and dried cranberries. Mix gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
Add Dressing Ingredients. Add 1/3 cup of mayonnaise along with fresh lemon juice, salt, and pepper. If using fresh herbs, add them now. Stir everything together thoroughly. Add additional mayonnaise by the tablespoon to reach your preferred level of creaminess and dressing coverage.
Taste & Adjust. Sample the chicken salad and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to suit your taste preferences.
Serve & Store. Serve the chicken salad immediately, perfect for sandwiches or wrapped in lettuce cups. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Notes

This salad is a favorite for its perfect balance of savory, sweet, creamy, and crunchy textures and flavors.
It makes a delicious meal-prep lunch that keeps well for several days.
Try using different nuts like walnuts if you don’t have pecans.
For a lighter option, swap half or all the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt.
Fresh herbs like tarragon, dill, or parsley add a fresh aromatic boost but are optional.
The salad is naturally gluten-free and paleo-friendly, making it suitable for various dietary needs.

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