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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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