Zesty Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe

Savory chicken salad takes on a delightful twist with tangy cranberry pecan chicken salad that bursts with unexpected flavors.

Tender chunks of chicken mingle with sweet, tart cranberries and crunchy pecans.

The poppy seed dressing adds a creamy, zesty note that brings every bite to life.

Crisp greens provide a fresh foundation for this vibrant dish.

Fresh herbs scattered throughout enhance the salad’s aromatic profile.

Packed with protein and rich textures, this salad offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory elements.

You’ll want to serve this crowd-pleasing recipe at your next gathering or enjoy it as a satisfying lunch.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients in Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

• Chicken: Lean protein base that adds substantial body to the salad, choose boneless skinless chicken breasts for leanest option.
• Green Onions: Provides sharp, fresh flavor and crisp texture to complement chicken.

• Pecans: Toasted nuts offer rich, buttery crunch and depth of flavor, select fresh, whole pecans for best quality.
• Celery: Adds crisp, refreshing bite and light vegetable element to balance the salad.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy base that binds ingredients and provides smooth texture.
• Greek Yogurt: Adds tangy richness and lightens dressing compared to pure mayo.
• Honey: Introduces subtle sweetness and helps balance dressing's acidity.
• White Vinegar: Brings bright, sharp note to cut through richness.
• Poppy Seeds: Provide subtle nutty flavor and visual interest to dressing.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance overall flavor profile.
• Cranberries: Introduces sweet-tart burst of flavor and vibrant color.

Tools That Help Mix Chicken Salad Smoothly

• Small bowl: Perfect for whisking together the creamy poppy seed dressing.
• Large bowl: Essential for mixing chicken, cranberries, pecans, and other salad ingredients.
• Whisk: Key tool for blending dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping celery and green onions.
• Sharp knife: Helps prepare vegetables and ensure even, precise cuts.

How to Make Chicken Salad That’s Crunchy and Sweet

• Whip Up the Tangy Dressing

In a small mixing bowl, blend creamy mayo, smooth Greek yogurt, golden honey, zesty vinegar, sprinkled poppy seeds, and a hint of salt and pepper. Taste and tweak the seasoning until it sings with flavor.

• Toss Together the Vibrant Mixture

Grab a spacious bowl and tumble in succulent shredded chicken, jewel-like cranberries, crunchy toasted pecans, crisp celery, and bright green onions. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the ingredients and gently fold until every morsel is beautifully coated.

• Chill and Savor

Cover the bowl and let the salad rest in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to mingle and dance. When ready, serve this delightful creation nestled in soft bread, tucked into crisp lettuce cups, or scattered atop fresh salad greens for a refreshing meal that promises to delight your taste buds.

Adjusting Flavor in the Dressing or Add-Ins

• Refrigerate the chicken salad in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor preservation.
• Prepare the dressing and chicken salad separately up to a day in advance, combining just before serving to maintain optimal texture and crunch.
• Replace chicken with rotisserie chicken, canned chicken, or plant-based alternatives like tofu or chickpeas for different dietary preferences and protein needs.
• For added crunch, mix in diced apples, water chestnuts, or swap pecans with almonds or walnuts to create exciting flavor and texture variations.
• Substitute Greek yogurt with low-fat sour cream or cottage cheese, and use light mayonnaise to reduce overall calorie content while maintaining delicious taste.

Serve Chicken Salad on Bread, Greens, or Croissants

• Picnic Perfect Plating: Spread the chicken salad on a rustic wooden board with fresh lettuce leaves, creating an inviting display that screams summer gathering.
• Sandwich Sensation: Layer the salad between toasted whole grain bread, adding crisp arugula and thin cucumber slices for extra crunch and freshness.
• Elegant Appetizer Bites: Serve the salad in mini phyllo cups or on small endive leaves for a sophisticated party starter that looks as good as it tastes.
• Healthy Lunch Bowl: Create a nutritious lunch bowl by placing the chicken salad over mixed greens, quinoa, and adding sliced almonds for additional protein and texture.

How to Store Chicken Salad Without Drying Out

• Transfer chicken salad to an airtight container, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Let the salad rest in the fridge for an hour before serving to allow ingredients to blend and enhance taste.
• Divide salad into individual meal-prep containers for quick grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.
• While best fresh, you can freeze the chicken mixture (excluding dressing) for up to 2 months in sealed freezer bags, thawing overnight in the refrigerator before mixing with fresh dressing.

Tangy Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad With Poppy Seed Dressing

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4.8 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Cranberry pecan chicken salad dazzles taste buds with its perfect blend of sweet and savory ingredients. Crisp greens, tender chicken, tart cranberries, and crunchy pecans unite under a creamy poppy seed dressing, inviting you to savor each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 ml) chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works great)
• ⅓ cup (40 g) pecans, toasted, chopped
• ⅓ cup (40 g) cranberries, dried
• ½ cup (75 g) celery, finely chopped
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced (or 2 tbsps red onion)
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) mayonnaise
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) Greek yogurt or sour cream, plain
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) honey
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp (5 ml) poppy seeds
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Dressing Creation: Whisk mayo, Greek yogurt, honey, vinegar, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth and well-blended, tasting and adjusting seasonings for balanced flavor profile.
2. Salad Assembly: Gently fold shredded chicken, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, diced celery, and chopped green onions together in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
3. Flavor Infusion and Serving: Drizzle prepared poppy seed dressing over the chicken mixture, thoroughly coating all components, then seal and refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and intensify. Serve chilled as a sandwich filling, nestled in crisp lettuce cups, or atop fresh salad greens for a versatile and delectable meal option.

Notes

• Shred or chop chicken uniformly for consistent bite and even dressing absorption, ensuring each piece is perfectly coated.
• Adjust honey and vinegar ratio to create a harmonious dressing that complements the cranberries without overpowering other ingredients.
• Lightly toast pecans in a dry skillet to enhance nutty flavor, watching closely to prevent burning and maintain crunchiness.
• Swap mayo for Greek yogurt or vegan alternatives to accommodate different dietary preferences while maintaining creamy texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 450mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 70mg