Cranberry Chicken Salad

Homemade Cranberry Chicken Salad recipe is better than anything you can buy from the deli! Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad has tender bites of chicken in a creamy, tangy dressing dotted with fresh apples, crisp celery, and sweet dried cranberries. 

Ingredients Needed

Cranberry pecan chicken salad is simple, delicious, and comforting recipe to whip up in a pinch. It’s easy to make ahead on busy days or for entertaining. As an added bonus, most of the ingredients needed are ones you may already have on hand.

Looking for something to make after Thanksgiving? Consider subbing the chopped chicken breast with leftover turkey for delicious turkey salad sandwiches the entire family will enjoy. 

• Chopped chicken – Use boneless, skinless breasts, thighs, boiled split breasts, or rotisserie chicken 
• Mayonnaise – regular or light
• Sour cream – regular, light, or substitute plain Greek yogurt
• Lemon juice
• Honey or sugar – For low carb chicken salad use a sugar substitute, like Stevia 
• Salt and pepper
• Celery
• Apple
• Pecans – Substitute other nuts, such as walnuts or almonds
• Dried cranberries – Sometimes sold as “Craisins.”

How To Make Chicken Salad from Scratch

This homemade, deli-style chicken salad is effortless to make, especially when using rotisserie chicken. Simply mix together the dressing using 5 staple ingredients, then fold in cooked chicken, cranberries, apples, celery, and pecans.

For the cooked chicken, use whatever cooking method works for you. This can be done ahead of time on a busy day, or if you have leftover chicken handy – it’s a great way to use what otherwise may go to waste.

If using leftovers, be sure to alter the amount of ingredients added based on the amount of chicken you are using in the salad. 

1. To begin, mix together the dressing ingredients, mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, honey or sugar, salt and pepper, in a large bowl until they are well combined. 
2. Next, add the cooked chicken, celery, apples, pecans and dried cranberries. Gently stir all of the ingredients to combine. For the best taste, cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. 

Healthier Adaptations

By nature, chicken salad is fairly healthy using white meat chicken. Extra calories comes from the dressing ingredients, but there are easy ways to make it healthier without sacrificing the taste.

Consider using nonfat plain Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise or sour cream. This will reduce fat and calories, and because of the probiotics in yogurt, it is also great for gut health. Another simple adaptation is to use light mayonnaise or sour cream in place of full fat.  

Another way to cut calories, is to use a sugar substitute, like Stevia, in place of regular sugar or leave it out completely. This is a great option for diabetics or those following a low carb diet. 

What you are serving your chicken salad on will also influence how healthy your meal is. Serving the salad on sliced cucumber is a wonderful way to get extra vegetables into your diet. Adding a scoop to an avocado half will add lots of vitamins and good omega-3 fatty acids. 

Ways to Serve Cranberry Chicken Salad

Chicken salad with cranberries is wonderful sandwiched between two slices of your favorite bread, or served on boats of romaine lettuce. 

However, consider serving cranberry chicken salad in any of the following ways: 

• Wraps – tortilla or lettuce wraps
• Crackers
• Sliced cucumbers
• Croissants
• Tomatoes
• Fried wonton cups
• Avocado slices
• Rice
• Pita bread

How Long Does Chicken Salad Stay Good? 

The last thing anybody wants with their meal is an upset stomach. The best way to avoid that is to take the appropriate measures when storing food. So how long will cranberry chicken with apples stay good? 

When storing food, it’s important to remember bacteria grows rapidly between 40 degrees and 140 degrees, which means you wouldn’t want the salad to be left out for over two hours at room temperature. If it has been left out for longer than two hours, do not store in the refrigerator or the freezer. 

To store your cranberry chicken salad safely in the refrigerator and maximize flavor, be sure to use an airtight container. If  stored this way, it should last from 3 to 5 days. If you ever notice an odd odor, color or mold, be sure to discard immediately without tasting. 

Can you Freeze Chicken Salad? 

Generally chicken salad isn’t optimal frozen because of the mayonnaise and apples. The apples will turn mushy upon thawing and the mayonnaise will separate.

However, there is a work around if you do want to freeze make-ahead chicken salad.

Cooked chicken may be frozen. Make sure it has cooled completely first and store in an airtight container or freezer bag, labelling with the date. If using a freezer bag, remove all of the air before sealing and storing. 

When you are ready to prepare your cranberry chicken salad with apples, thaw the chicken overnight in the refrigerator. Luckily the dressing is easy to mix together and will only take minutes. Combine the dressing and stir in thawed chicken, celery, apples, and dried cranberries. 

Ways to Cook Chicken 

Choose your preferred method for cooking the chicken breasts before starting the recipe. Cooking times may differ, depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts. Check to be sure the temperature of the chicken has reached 165ºF. 

1. Boil: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add chicken, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Drain and chop.
2. Bake: Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Place chicken breasts on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 22-26 minutes, flipping halfway through. Cool slightly and chop. 
3. Pressure Cooker: Place chicken breasts and 1 cup of water in an electric pressure cooker. Secure on lid and seal valve. Cook under high pressure for 10 minutes. Let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. Let out any remaining pressure and remove chicken to chop. 
4. Rotisserie: A cut up rotisserie chicken yields about 3 cups cooked chicken, about 2 cups being white meat and 1 cup being dark meat. 

What to Serve with Chicken Salad

Cooked chicken salad recipe doesn’t need to be reserved only for midday. Consider pairing it with something a little heartier for a dinner that will leave everyone in your family asking for seconds.

Here are some ideas of what to serve with chicken salad:

1. Chips
2. Frozen Fruit Salad
3. Sweet Potato Salad
4. Coleslaw
5. Grilled Zucchini and Squash
6. Pretzels
7. Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
8. Grilled Foil Potatoes
9. Roasted Vegetable Medley
10. Cream of Tomato Soup
11. Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Salad

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