A delicious way to use up leftover chicken is making into a tasty cranberry pecan chicken salad.
This easy salad can be thrown together in just 10 minutes and makes a perfect lunch or light dinner.
Why make this recipe
After we cook up a whole chicken, we always have leftovers. Finding delicious ways to use it up is key so nobody gets tired of the same old thing.
This chicken salad is perfect for using up a rotisserie chicken or a whole barbecued chicken. It's filled with the delicious chicken, sweetness from the dried cranberries, a bit of crunch from the pecans and is covered lightly with a zesty dressing.
When grilling chicken breasts, I will often cook a couple of additional pieces so I can make this salad.
This salad is delicious eaten all by itself or added to a lettuce wrap or eaten in a sandwich.
Make this salad in the evening and you've got a tasty lunch for your lunch box!
Key ingredients
- Leftover chicken
- Dried cranberries
- Pecans
- Red onions
- Mayonnaise
Step by step directions
- Combine mayonnaise, dried mustard and vinegar together
- Place chopped chicken, cranberries, pecans and onions in a bowl
- Mix in prepared dressing
- Add salt and pepper
Recipe tips
- Use chopped or shredded chicken
- The amount of salt and pepper added will vary depending on the chicken you used.
- If I use grilled chicken breasts, they are already heavily seasoned and I only need to add a touch of salt and pepper
- Always taste first and then add salt and pepper in small amounts
- Can substitute dijon mustard for the dried mustard
- Add in chopped celery, tart apples, bell peppers or fresh cilantro or parsley
Recipe Faqs
Chicken salad will last 3-4 days when covered and refrigerated.
Yes, you can used canned chicken. Be certain to fully drain any liquid off the chicken before using.
Ways to eat Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
- Add to a croissant with crisp lettuce
- Wrap in lettuce leaves for a lettuce wrap
- Roll in a tortilla with lettuce for a tortilla wrap
- Serve with crackers
- Eat straight from the bowl
- Serve in a hollowed out tomato
- On homemade sandwich bread
More delicious salads
- Oriental Chicken Salad
- Pasta and Pea Salad
- Black Bean Salad
- Classic Chicken Salad
- Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
If you loved this recipe you'll LOVE all the others in this category. Check out all my salad recipes here!
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- ¼ cup dried cranberries (lightly chopped)
- ¼ cup pecans (chopped)
- 2 cups cooked chicken (cubed)
- 2 Tablespoon red onions (sliced)
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon dried mustard
- 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place chicken, cranberries, pecans and red onions in a large mixing bowl.¼ cup dried cranberries, ¼ cup pecans, 2 cups cooked chicken
- In a separate bowl, mix mayonnaise, mustard and vinegar together.¼ cup mayonnaise, ½ teaspoon dried mustard, 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
- Add mayonnaise mixture to chicken mixture, stir lightly.2 Tablespoon red onions
- Add salt and pepper to taste.Salt and Pepper to taste
Notes
- Use chopped or shredded chicken
- Turkey can also be used in place of the chicken
- The amount of salt and pepper added will vary depending on the chicken you used.
- If I use grilled chicken breasts, they are already heavily seasoned and I only need to add a touch of salt and pepper
- Always taste first and then add salt and pepper in small amounts
- Can substitute dijon mustard for the dried mustard
- Add in chopped celery, tart apples, bell peppers or fresh cilantro or parsley
Nutrition
SusanM says
I always read reviews before trying a recipe to see if there's any issues folks ran into, but it looks like all the commenters were busy drooling over the luscious photos! I actually made your recipe with the leftovers from a Costco chicken, oh my goodness is it ever good! I like that there's not too much mayo and I'm making it every week now as a great lunch, summer dinner, or snack on crackers. Thanks for sharing this terrific recipe!!
Kathy says
Thanks for your lovely comment! I'm glad to know the recipe was loved as much by you as it is by us! Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback! 🙂
SusanM says
Kathy, my 21-yr-old son has been stopping by for curbside sandwiches before he goes to work each night, and he still requests this as his favorite. He likes it with extra cranberries. I don't want to burn him out so we're going to try your Chicken Caesar wrap this week for a little variety. Thank you for helping me stay connected to my big kid, and provide a homey touch during his night-shift isolation made deeper with this pandemic. I'm finding home baking is also a big hit with his co-workers, so we're going to try the carrot cookies this week too! Thank you for sharing all these lovely recipes on your site.
Kathy says
Thank you!!! I love how you are able to still connect with your son even during these times! There's nothing better than food to say, I love you! 🙂
Kim | Low Carb Maven says
Hi Kathy. I feel the same about food in a pouch. Lol. My mother used to make a similar chicken salad with pecans and grapes. I think the cranberries sounds so much nicer and I love the idea of enjoying the salad on croissants which have to be the best invention evvver. Thanks for a great recipe.
Kathy says
I have also had chicken salad with grapes! Totally forgot about that until you mentioned it! I loved that version too!
Smitha says
Salad is wildly tempting. loved the sald so much i feel hungry. Need a similar one to satisfy my craving
Amanda says
This is definitely my kind of chicken salad. I love all the flavors you have going on here. The pecans and cranberries sound great!
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Indeed this is a droolicious chicken salad, Kathy. Chunks of chicken + dried cranberries +crunchy pecans and fresh basil? So much in love with this! 🙂
Kathy says
That pretty much sums up our feelings too!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
I've had that chicken salad sample at the Costco! I am absolutely 100% positive that your homemade version is so much better!
Kathy says
Oh good....I'm glad I made my own!
mira says
That's exactly how I like my chicken salad! On a croissant, too! Looks delicious!
Kathy says
The croissant are a rare treat in our house. It really was wonderful with the chicken salad.
Smitha says
Iam a lover of such healthy salads. This one is colorful and appetizing kathy. Iam drooling over. Feel like tossing one and satisfy my craving
Kathy says
Thanks! 🙂
Katie Crenshaw says
Kathy, this chicken salad looks fabulous!!! I live the addition of cranberries and pecans! Thanks for the yummy recipe!
Kathy says
The cranberries and pecans make this a winner!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Yep, I'm drooling...all over my keyboard! Nothing like a good homemade chicken salad, I always say! De-lish!!
Kathy says
Sorry about causing all that drool! Just trying to make you hungry 🙂