Description
Cranberry chicken salad delivers a delightful blend of tangy and savory flavors perfect for lunch or dinner. Light, refreshing ingredients combine with tender chicken and zesty cranberries, creating a quick and satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken or turkey, shredded or chopped
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup (75 g) chopped celery
- 1/4 cup (40 g) chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup (30 g) chopped pecans or walnuts
Dressing:
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Dijon mustard
Seasoning and Garnish:
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Shred the cooked chicken or turkey into bite-sized pieces in a spacious mixing vessel.
- Finely dice the crisp celery and pungent red onion into uniform, small segments.
- Add dried cranberries and chopped nuts to the shredded protein, creating a vibrant textural blend.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the creamy mayonnaise with tangy sour cream until smooth and well-integrated.
- Incorporate Dijon mustard into the dressing, seasoning with a delicate balance of salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Drizzle the prepared dressing over the chicken mixture, gently folding to ensure every morsel is luxuriously coated.
- Seal the salad in an airtight container and refrigerate for 30-45 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir to redistribute the dressing and ingredients.
- Present the chilled salad atop crisp lettuce leaves, nestled between soft bread slices, or accompanied by classic crackers.
- Optional: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley as a vibrant, herbaceous garnish for added visual appeal.
Notes
- Swap protein for a vegetarian version by using jackfruit, tofu, or chickpeas instead of chicken, maintaining the same delicious texture and flavor profile.
- Toast nuts beforehand to enhance their nutty richness and add a delightful crunch that elevates the entire salad experience.
- Reduce calories by using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise and sour cream, creating a lighter yet equally creamy dressing without sacrificing taste.
- Customize the salad’s heat and zest by adding chopped jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper for those who enjoy a spicy kick.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg