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Home » Chicken » Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Published: Apr 23, 2016 · Modified: Jan 27, 2022 by Kathy · This post may contain affiliate links

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

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A croissant filled with chicken salad.

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.

A croissant filled with chicken salad.
Table of Contents
Why make this recipe
Key ingredients
Step by step directions
Recipe tips
Recipe Faqs
Ways to eat Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
More delicious salads
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

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

Bowls of chicken cranberries and pecans.
  • 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
  • Making a dressing with mayonnaise.
  • Chicken salad ingredients in a bowl.
  • Mix in prepared dressing
  • Add salt and pepper
  • Chicken salad with cranberries.
  • Seasoning chicken salad.

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

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 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
A chicken salad sandwich on a croissant.

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!

  • Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
  • Tortellini Pasta Salad
  • Raspberry Vinaigrette
  • Italian Pasta 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 10 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 10 mins
Total Time 10 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

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!

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. SusanM says

    August 24, 2018 at 2:03 pm

    5 stars
    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!!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      August 25, 2018 at 6:14 am

      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! 🙂

      Reply
      • SusanM says

        February 22, 2021 at 3:46 pm

        5 stars
        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

        February 22, 2021 at 5:48 pm

        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! 🙂

  2. Kim | Low Carb Maven says

    April 27, 2016 at 8:35 am

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 27, 2016 at 6:08 pm

      I have also had chicken salad with grapes! Totally forgot about that until you mentioned it! I loved that version too!

      Reply
  3. Smitha says

    April 27, 2016 at 4:11 am

    5 stars
    Salad is wildly tempting. loved the sald so much i feel hungry. Need a similar one to satisfy my craving

    Reply
  4. Amanda says

    April 26, 2016 at 6:41 am

    This is definitely my kind of chicken salad. I love all the flavors you have going on here. The pecans and cranberries sound great!

    Reply
  5. Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says

    April 26, 2016 at 1:47 am

    Indeed this is a droolicious chicken salad, Kathy. Chunks of chicken + dried cranberries +crunchy pecans and fresh basil? So much in love with this! 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 26, 2016 at 4:36 am

      That pretty much sums up our feelings too!

      Reply
  6. Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says

    April 25, 2016 at 5:49 pm

    I've had that chicken salad sample at the Costco! I am absolutely 100% positive that your homemade version is so much better!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 26, 2016 at 4:37 am

      Oh good....I'm glad I made my own!

      Reply
  7. mira says

    April 25, 2016 at 2:11 pm

    That's exactly how I like my chicken salad! On a croissant, too! Looks delicious!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 26, 2016 at 4:38 am

      The croissant are a rare treat in our house. It really was wonderful with the chicken salad.

      Reply
  8. Smitha says

    April 25, 2016 at 10:00 am

    5 stars
    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

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 26, 2016 at 4:41 am

      Thanks! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Katie Crenshaw says

    April 25, 2016 at 9:00 am

    5 stars
    Kathy, this chicken salad looks fabulous!!! I live the addition of cranberries and pecans! Thanks for the yummy recipe!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 25, 2016 at 8:44 pm

      The cranberries and pecans make this a winner!

      Reply
  10. annie@ciaochowbambina says

    April 25, 2016 at 7:48 am

    5 stars
    Yep, I'm drooling...all over my keyboard! Nothing like a good homemade chicken salad, I always say! De-lish!!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      April 26, 2016 at 4:41 am

      Sorry about causing all that drool! Just trying to make you hungry 🙂

      Reply
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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..

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