Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Fresh and Flavorful Dish

Name: Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded; 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped; 0.5 cup dried cranberries; 0.5 cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped; 0.5 cup diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp); 0.5 cup plain Greek yogurt; 2 tablespoons honey; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; 0 to taste salt and pepper; 0 for serving mixed greens

November 29, 2025May 3, 2025 by Amelia

Are you ready for a burst of flavor that’s both fresh and hearty? This Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad is your new go-to dish. Packed with juicy shredded chicken, crisp spinach, and sweet cranberries, every bite will delight your taste buds. I’ll guide you through easy steps to prepare this tasty meal, plus share tips to make it your own. Let’s dive into this vibrant and satisfying salad!

Why I Love This Recipe

Healthy Ingredients: This salad is packed with nutritious ingredients like spinach, apples, and Greek yogurt, making it a wholesome meal option.
Flavorful Combination: The sweet and tart cranberries paired with the crunchy pecans create a delightful contrast that tantalizes the taste buds.
Quick and Easy: With a prep time of just 20 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep for the week ahead.
Versatile Serving Options: This chicken salad can be enjoyed on a bed of greens, in a wrap, or even on its own as a protein-packed snack.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped
1/2 cup diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)

These main ingredients create a mix of flavors and textures. The shredded chicken gives protein and heartiness. Fresh spinach adds a bright color and healthy greens. Dried cranberries bring a sweet and tart flavor. Toasted pecans add a nice crunch. Diced apples add sweetness and freshness.

Dressing Components

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

This dressing is creamy and tangy. Greek yogurt provides a rich base. Honey adds sweetness to balance the tang of apple cider vinegar. A pinch of salt and pepper enhances all the flavors. Mix these ingredients well for a smooth dressing.

Serving Suggestions

Mixed greens
Optional garnishes (e.g., extra nuts, herbs)

Serve the salad over a bed of mixed greens. This adds volume and freshness. You can also add extra nuts or herbs as garnishes. This will give your dish a pop of color and extra flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation of the Salad Base

Start by getting a medium bowl. Add 2 cups of shredded chicken. Then, toss in 1 cup of chopped spinach. Next, mix in 1/2 cup of dried cranberries. Don’t forget to add 1/2 cup of roughly chopped pecans. Finally, include 1/2 cup of diced apples. I love using Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples for their crispness. Lightly toss everything together until well mixed.

Making the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt. Add 2 tablespoons of honey for sweetness. Then, mix in 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This dressing brings all the flavors together.

Assembling the Salad

Pour the dressing over the salad base. Gently fold the mixture to coat all the ingredients evenly. Taste it and adjust the seasoning if needed. If you want, you can add more salt or pepper. After mixing, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This time lets the flavors blend beautifully. When ready to serve, place a bed of mixed greens on each plate. Top it with your delicious cranberry pecan chicken salad. Enjoy every bite!

Tips & Tricks

Recommended Chicken Cooking Methods

You can choose between poaching and roasting chicken breast. Poaching keeps the chicken moist and tender. This method uses water or broth. Simply simmer the chicken in liquid until fully cooked. Roasting gives a nice, golden color and crispy skin. Rub the chicken with oil and seasonings before placing it in the oven. Both methods work well for this salad.

Flavor Enhancements

To boost the flavor, add fresh herbs. Dill or parsley can brighten the salad. These herbs pair well with the chicken and cranberries. You can chop them finely and mix them into the salad. A little goes a long way, so start with a small amount. Taste as you go to find what you like best.

Texture Tips

Toasting pecans is a great way to add crunch. Heat a dry pan over medium heat. Add the pecans and stir often for about five minutes. You want them to smell nutty and look slightly darker. This step makes them crispier and enhances their flavor. Add the toasted pecans to your salad for extra texture.

Pro Tips

Use Leftover Chicken: This recipe is a great way to use up leftover roasted or rotisserie chicken, saving you time and effort.
Toast Your Pecans: Toasting pecans enhances their flavor and adds a delightful crunch to the salad. Simply toss them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes.
Chill for Best Flavor: Allow the salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This helps the flavors meld together beautifully.
Add More Crunch: For extra texture, consider adding chopped celery or bell peppers to the salad mix.

Variations

Dietary Adjustments

You can easily make this salad vegan. Simply swap Greek yogurt for dairy-free yogurt. It gives the same creamy texture. Use almond or coconut yogurt for a tasty twist. This change keeps the salad fresh and light. Feel free to adjust the amount of honey based on your taste.

Ingredient Swaps

If you want to change things up, try using different nuts or fruits. Walnuts add a lovely earthy flavor. Pears bring a sweet crunch that pairs well with the other ingredients. You can mix and match to find your favorite combo. Each swap will give the salad a new character.

Additional Ingredients

Adding cheese can elevate your dish. Feta cheese adds a salty kick, while goat cheese brings a creamy texture. Just crumble it on top before serving. These cheeses complement the sweetness of the cranberries and apples. Each bite will burst with flavor and richness.

Storage Info

Best Practices

To keep your cranberry pecan chicken salad fresh, store it in an airtight container. This helps stop air from getting in and keeps the salad from drying out. Make sure the lid fits tightly. You can use glass or plastic containers. Both work well. Avoid using a bowl covered with plastic wrap. It does not seal as well.

Shelf Life

In the fridge, this salad lasts about three to four days. After that, the quality may drop. The chicken might dry out, and the apples could get mushy. Always check for any signs of spoilage, like a strange smell or color change. If you see these, it’s best to toss it out.

Freezing Recommendations

Freezing cranberry pecan chicken salad is not the best choice. The texture can change when thawed. However, if you need to freeze it, separate the dressing from the salad. Freeze the salad base without the dressing for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Then, add the dressing before serving. This way, you keep the flavors fresh and tasty.

FAQs

How can I make Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad ahead of time?

You can easily make this salad ahead of time. Prepare the salad base first. Mix the chicken, spinach, cranberries, pecans, and apples in a bowl. In another bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper.

Pour the dressing over the chicken mix and fold gently. Cover the salad well and place it in the fridge. This salad tastes even better after sitting for a while. Just remember to add the dressing right before you serve.

What can I serve with Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad?

You can serve this salad with many sides. I enjoy it with crusty bread or fresh rolls. You could also add a bowl of soup for a warm meal.

For a lighter option, pair it with sliced cucumbers or carrot sticks. This salad also works well as a filling on a sandwich. Just layer it on your favorite bread for a tasty lunch.

Is this salad gluten-free?

Yes, this salad is gluten-free. All the ingredients, like chicken, spinach, and nuts, contain no gluten. This makes it a great option for people with gluten sensitivities. Just be sure to check any packaged items, like the Greek yogurt, to confirm they are gluten-free. Enjoy this fresh and tasty dish worry-free!

This post covered how to make a Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad. You learned about key ingredients, like shredded chicken, spinach, and cranberries. We discussed the dressing, preparation steps, and serving tips. You can adjust the recipe for diet needs or add new flavors.

Now, you can enjoy a tasty salad any time. With simple steps and fresh ingredients, you have a healthy meal ready to go. Try it out and make it your ow

$- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded - 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped - 1/2 cup dried cranberries - 1/2 cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped - 1/2 cup diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp) These main ingredients create a mix of flavors and textures. The shredded chicken gives protein and heartiness. Fresh spinach adds a bright color and healthy greens. Dried cranberries bring a sweet and tart flavor. Toasted pecans add a nice crunch. Diced apples add sweetness and freshness. - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt - 2 tablespoons honey - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar - Salt and pepper to taste This dressing is creamy and tangy. Greek yogurt provides a rich base. Honey adds sweetness to balance the tang of apple cider vinegar. A pinch of salt and pepper enhances all the flavors. Mix these ingredients well for a smooth dressing. - Mixed greens - Optional garnishes (e.g., extra nuts, herbs) Serve the salad over a bed of mixed greens. This adds volume and freshness. You can also add extra nuts or herbs as garnishes. This will give your dish a pop of color and extra flavor. {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by getting a medium bowl. Add 2 cups of shredded chicken. Then, toss in 1 cup of chopped spinach. Next, mix in 1/2 cup of dried cranberries. Don't forget to add 1/2 cup of roughly chopped pecans. Finally, include 1/2 cup of diced apples. I love using Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples for their crispness. Lightly toss everything together until well mixed. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt. Add 2 tablespoons of honey for sweetness. Then, mix in 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This dressing brings all the flavors together. Pour the dressing over the salad base. Gently fold the mixture to coat all the ingredients evenly. Taste it and adjust the seasoning if needed. If you want, you can add more salt or pepper. After mixing, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This time lets the flavors blend beautifully. When ready to serve, place a bed of mixed greens on each plate. Top it with your delicious cranberry pecan chicken salad. Enjoy every bite! You can choose between poaching and roasting chicken breast. Poaching keeps the chicken moist and tender. This method uses water or broth. Simply simmer the chicken in liquid until fully cooked. Roasting gives a nice, golden color and crispy skin. Rub the chicken with oil and seasonings before placing it in the oven. Both methods work well for this salad. To boost the flavor, add fresh herbs. Dill or parsley can brighten the salad. These herbs pair well with the chicken and cranberries. You can chop them finely and mix them into the salad. A little goes a long way, so start with a small amount. Taste as you go to find what you like best. Toasting pecans is a great way to add crunch. Heat a dry pan over medium heat. Add the pecans and stir often for about five minutes. You want them to smell nutty and look slightly darker. This step makes them crispier and enhances their flavor. Add the toasted pecans to your salad for extra texture. Pro Tips Use Leftover Chicken: This recipe is a great way to use up leftover roasted or rotisserie chicken, saving you time and effort. Toast Your Pecans: Toasting pecans enhances their flavor and adds a delightful crunch to the salad. Simply toss them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes. Chill for Best Flavor: Allow the salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This helps the flavors meld together beautifully. Add More Crunch: For extra texture, consider adding chopped celery or bell peppers to the salad mix. {{image_2}} You can easily make this salad vegan. Simply swap Greek yogurt for dairy-free yogurt. It gives the same creamy texture. Use almond or coconut yogurt for a tasty twist. This change keeps the salad fresh and light. Feel free to adjust the amount of honey based on your taste. If you want to change things up, try using different nuts or fruits. Walnuts add a lovely earthy flavor. Pears bring a sweet crunch that pairs well with the other ingredients. You can mix and match to find your favorite combo. Each swap will give the salad a new character. Adding cheese can elevate your dish. Feta cheese adds a salty kick, while goat cheese brings a creamy texture. Just crumble it on top before serving. These cheeses complement the sweetness of the cranberries and apples. Each bite will burst with flavor and richness. To keep your cranberry pecan chicken salad fresh, store it in an airtight container. This helps stop air from getting in and keeps the salad from drying out. Make sure the lid fits tightly. You can use glass or plastic containers. Both work well. Avoid using a bowl covered with plastic wrap. It does not seal as well. In the fridge, this salad lasts about three to four days. After that, the quality may drop. The chicken might dry out, and the apples could get mushy. Always check for any signs of spoilage, like a strange smell or color change. If you see these, it’s best to toss it out. Freezing cranberry pecan chicken salad is not the best choice. The texture can change when thawed. However, if you need to freeze it, separate the dressing from the salad. Freeze the salad base without the dressing for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Then, add the dressing before serving. This way, you keep the flavors fresh and tasty. You can easily make this salad ahead of time. Prepare the salad base first. Mix the chicken, spinach, cranberries, pecans, and apples in a bowl. In another bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing over the chicken mix and fold gently. Cover the salad well and place it in the fridge. This salad tastes even better after sitting for a while. Just remember to add the dressing right before you serve. You can serve this salad with many sides. I enjoy it with crusty bread or fresh rolls. You could also add a bowl of soup for a warm meal. For a lighter option, pair it with sliced cucumbers or carrot sticks. This salad also works well as a filling on a sandwich. Just layer it on your favorite bread for a tasty lunch. Yes, this salad is gluten-free. All the ingredients, like chicken, spinach, and nuts, contain no gluten. This makes it a great option for people with gluten sensitivities. Just be sure to check any packaged items, like the Greek yogurt, to confirm they are gluten-free. Enjoy this fresh and tasty dish worry-free! This post covered how to make a Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad. You learned about key ingredients, like shredded chicken, spinach, and cranberries. We discussed the dressing, preparation steps, and serving tips. You can adjust the recipe for diet needs or add new flavors. Now, you can enjoy a tasty salad any time. With simple steps and fresh ingredients, you have a healthy meal ready to go. Try it out and make it your own!$