• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
    • Contact Me
    • Privacy Policy
  • Chickens and Farm Animals
  • Gardening
  • Recipes
  • Podcast
    • Guest Application

Beyond The Chicken Coop logo

menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Chickens and Farm Animals
  • Gardening
  • About
    • Contact Me
    • Privacy Policy
  • Podcast
    • Guest Application
×
Home » Salad » Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Published: Apr 23, 2016 · Modified: Oct 15, 2022 by Kathy · This post may contain affiliate links

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Jump to Recipe
A croissant filled with chicken salad.

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad is a delicious salad filled with chunks of chicken, dried cranberries and crunchy pecans. It's a perfect balance of textures and flavors.

This easy salad can be thrown together in just 10 minutes and is a perfect way to use up leftover chicken or turkey!

A croissant filled with chicken salad.
Table of Contents
A tasty recipe for leftover chicken
Key ingredients
Step-by-step directions
Recipe tips
Recipe Faqs
Variations
Ways to Eat Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
More delicious salads
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

A tasty recipe for leftover chicken

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 delicious chicken, sweetness from the dried cranberries, and a bit of crunch from the pecans, and is covered lightly with a zesty dressing.

But I don't always wait until we have leftovers. Sometimes I'll cook up a couple of chicken breasts just for making this salad. Or when grilling chicken breasts, I will plan ahead and add a couple of extra pieces to save for making this salad.

You could also use leftover turkey to make this tasty recipe. It's a perfect way to use up that Thanksgiving turkey!

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

Bowls of chicken cranberries and pecans.

Ingredients

This section reviews the best ingredients and substitutions for this recipe. For an exact list of ingredients and quantities, check the recipe card below.

  • Leftover chicken - one you've made or a rotisserie chicken. Cut chicken into small cubes. Leftover turkey can be used as well!
  • Dried cranberries - sweetened cranberries add just the perfect amount of sweetness to this salad.
  • Pecans - add a delicious taste and crunch. Walnuts or cashews can be used in place of the pecans.
  • Red onions - the onions add a little zest and crunch. Feel free to use green onions instead.
  • Mayonnaise - ties everything together in a light-tasting dressing. Use plain Greek yogurt if you want to lighten things up a bit.

Step-by-step directions

How to make it

In this section, I share step-by-step photos, cooking methods, techniques, and a general overview. For detailed instructions, temperatures, and timing, check the printable recipe card below.

  • Combine mayonnaise, dried mustard, and vinegar together
  • Place chopped chicken, cranberries, pecans, and onions in a bowl
Making a dressing with mayonnaise.
Chicken salad ingredients in a bowl.
  • Mix in the prepared dressing
  • Add salt and pepper
Chicken salad with cranberries.
Seasoning chicken salad.

Recipe tips

  • Use chopped or shredded chicken or leftover turkey!
  • 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

Recipe Faqs

How long will chicken salad last?

Chicken salad will last 3-4 days when covered and refrigerated.

Can I use canned chicken for chicken salad?

Yes, you can use canned chicken. Be certain to fully drain any liquid off the chicken before using.

Variations

Make this salad you own by adding your favorite ingredients! Some options to try include:

  • Chopped celery
  • Tart apples, chopped
  • Sweet bell peppers
  • A bit of fresh cilantro, basil or parsley

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
A chicken salad sandwich on a croissant.

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!

  • Avocado Ranch Lime Dressing in a bowl surrounded by fresh veggies.
    Avocado Ranch Lime Dressing
  • Pouring a salad dressing over a salad.
    Asian Salad Dressing
  • Pasta salad with tomatoes and cubes of cheese.
    Easy Pasta Salad
  • A bowl filled with berries, kiwi, and grapes.
    Fruit Salad
A croissant filled with chicken salad.

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Kathy
A delicious salad using leftover chicken, dried cranberries and crunchy pecans.
5 from 30 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people
Calories 110 kcal

Equipment

  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Chef Knife
Prevent your screen from going dark

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

Nutritional Disclaimer:

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Calories: 110kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 1gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 60mgPotassium: 27mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 8IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 1mg
Keyword chicken salad with nuts, chicken salad with pecans, cranberry pecan chicken salad
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeyondTheChickenCoop or tag #beyondthechickencoop!

 

More Salad

  • An orzo pasta salad with onions, olives and peppers.
    Mediterranean Orzo Salad
  • Pasta salad topped with green onions and paprika.
    Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
  • Corn, tomatoes and avocados in a white bowl.
    Avocado Corn Salad
  • Roasted sweet potatoes, quinoa and baby greens in a bowl.
    Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stephanie says

    February 07, 2023 at 5:24 am

    Can I use Dijon mustard?

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      February 07, 2023 at 6:43 am

      Yes! Dijon mustard can be used in place of the dried mustard. I'd start with 1/2 teaspoon and then taste and add another 1/2 teaspoon if you think it needs it.
      Enjoy 🙂

      Reply
« Older Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

A croissant filled with chicken salad.
The author holding a chicken.

I'm Kathy, a busy working mom who loves to cook from scratch, grow a garden, and raise farm animals. Take a look around and find all my recipes, gardening tips, and country living antics.

More about me →

Christmas Cookies

  • Gingerbread cookies with piped white frosting.
    Gingerbread Snowflake Cookies
  • Cranberry pinwheel cookies piled on a plate.
    Cranberry Orange Cookies
  • A stack of round cookies covered with colorful sprinkles.
    Christmas Sugar Cookies
  • A pile of cookies filled with raspberry jam.
    Raspberry Bow Tie Cookies
  • A plate filled with chocolate cookies topped with crushed peppermint candy.
    Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
  • Colorful Christmas cookies on a white cake stand.
    Shortbread Christmas Cookies

Popular Recipes

  • A single muffin topped with a crumbly topping on a plate.
    Oatmeal Banana Muffins
  • Stacks of crispy golden fish on a white plate with a blue rim.
    Beer Battered Fish
  • Crispy fish fillets topped with lemon wedges.
    Pan Fried Walleye
  • A plate with baked pasta with cheese and tomatoes.
    Chicken Pasta Bake

Chicken Dinners

  • Strips of chicken, peppers and onions in a baked casserole.
    Chicken Fajita Casserole
  • Crispy chicken thighs on a white plate.
    Cast Iron Chicken Thighs
  • A chicken thigh with a sauce on a plate with rice and peas.
    Apricot Chicken
  • A plate filled with chicken legs covered in barbecue sauce.
    Baked BBQ Chicken Legs
  • Grilled chicken thighs on a white plate.
    Italian Dressing Chicken
  • A golden chicken thigh on a white plate with roasted potatoes and green beans.
    Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

Featured In...

Beyond the Chicken Coop recipes have been featured in many different sites.

Footer

A croissant filled with chicken salad.

↑ back to top

Beyond the Chicken Coop recipes have been featured in many different sites.

About

  • Privacy Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 Beyond the Chicken Coop LLC ®