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To make the perfect Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad, gather these simple items: - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded - 1 cup celery, finely chopped - 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced - 1/2 cup dried cranberries - 1/2 cup pecans, chopped - 1/2 cup Greek yogurt - 1 tablespoon honey - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard - Salt and pepper to taste - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) You can adjust the amounts to fit your taste. If you want less chicken, use 1 cup. For more crunch, add an extra 1/4 cup of pecans. If you like it sweeter, add more honey. You can swap Greek yogurt for mayonnaise if you prefer. That will change the flavor but still taste good. Using fresh ingredients makes a big difference. Fresh celery adds a nice crunch, while fresh parsley gives a bright taste. Dried cranberries bring sweetness and chewiness. If you can, choose fresh chicken, but rotisserie chicken works well too. It saves time and still tastes great. Just make sure to shred it before mixing. This blend of fresh and dried makes the salad fresh and flavorful. To make the cranberry pecan chicken salad, you need to gather all your ingredients. This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prep and 30 minutes to chill. You will enjoy a fresh and flavorful dish that serves four people. Use cooked chicken breast, as it saves time and adds great taste. Start by shredding 2 cups of cooked chicken breast. Place it in a large mixing bowl. Next, finely chop 1 cup of celery and add it to the bowl. Then, finely dice 1/2 cup of red onion. This onion brings a nice crunch and sharp taste. Now, add 1/2 cup of dried cranberries and 1/2 cup of chopped pecans. The cranberries add sweetness, while the pecans bring a rich flavor. Mix all these ingredients well. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard. This dressing is creamy and tangy, perfect for our salad. Make sure to blend it until smooth. Once the dressing is ready, pour it over the chicken mixture. Gently fold the dressing into the salad until every piece is coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This step helps the flavors meld beautifully. When you're ready to serve, stir the salad gently and garnish with 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley. Enjoy your cranberry pecan chicken salad on leafy greens, in a sandwich, or with whole-grain crackers. For the full recipe, check out the details above! To make your cranberry pecan chicken salad burst with flavor, use fresh ingredients. Fresh chicken gives a better taste than frozen. Add crispy celery for crunch. Use sweet, plump dried cranberries. Toast your pecans lightly for a deeper flavor. When mixing, fold gently to keep the chicken tender. This salad improves after chilling. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes. This time allows the flavors to blend well. Meal prep helps save time and makes cooking easier. Cook and shred chicken ahead of time. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. Chop celery and onion in advance to speed up your process. I suggest making a big batch of the salad. Store it in an airtight container. This keeps it fresh for lunch or dinner. If you plan to serve it later, wait to add the dressing. This way, the salad stays crisp. This salad is very versatile. You can serve it on a bed of leafy greens. It also works well in a sandwich or wrap. Try it with whole-grain crackers for a crunchy snack. For a festive touch, sprinkle with extra parsley. To add a twist, serve it with a side of fruit. A fresh fruit salad pairs nicely with this dish. You can find the full recipe in the article. {{image_2}} You can switch up the protein in this salad for variety. If you want a different taste, use turkey instead of chicken. You can also try shredded rotisserie chicken. It adds great flavor and saves time. For a twist, use canned tuna or salmon. Both options work well and add a nice touch to the dish. Adding extra ingredients can take your salad to the next level. Consider adding diced apples or grapes for a sweet crunch. You can also toss in some shredded carrots for color and texture. Want some spice? Try adding chopped jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper. These small changes can make a big flavor difference. If you want a vegan version, replace chicken with chickpeas or tofu. Mash the chickpeas slightly for better texture. You can also use vegan yogurt in place of Greek yogurt. This keeps the dish creamy and delicious. For a vegetarian twist, add roasted vegetables. Think zucchini or bell peppers for added flavor and nutrients. Feel free to mix and match these ideas to make your perfect Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad. For the complete recipe, refer to the Full Recipe section above. To keep your cranberry pecan chicken salad fresh, store it in an airtight container. This helps prevent moisture loss and stops other smells from getting in. Place it in the fridge right after making it. It tastes best after it sits for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to mix well. You can freeze the chicken salad, but it may change texture. If you plan to freeze it, leave out the pecans and Greek yogurt before freezing. Use a freezer-safe container and label it with the date. This way, you can enjoy it later. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Add the yogurt and pecans just before serving. The chicken salad stays good in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. After that, it may not taste as good. If you notice any off smells or colors, it's best to throw it away. Individually, the ingredients have different shelf lives: - Cooked chicken: 3 to 4 days - Celery: 1 to 2 weeks - Red onion: 1 to 2 months - Dried cranberries: up to 1 year - Pecans: 6 months to 1 year if stored properly Always check the dates on your ingredients. This helps ensure your cranberry pecan chicken salad remains safe and tasty. For the full recipe, check the earlier section. You can make this salad ahead of time. Just follow these steps: - Prepare the salad as directed. - Mix all the ingredients well. - Store it in an airtight container. - Place it in the fridge for up to two days. The flavors deepen as it sits. This makes it even tastier! When serving, stir it gently. You can also add fresh parsley for a bright touch. Yes, you can use store-bought rotisserie chicken. It saves time and adds great flavor. Just shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Rotisserie chicken is often juicy and well-seasoned. This can enhance your salad. Remember to remove the skin if you prefer less fat. Using rotisserie chicken makes this dish quick and easy. Many side dishes go well with cranberry pecan chicken salad. Here are a few ideas: - Leafy green salad - Fresh fruit platter - Whole-grain crackers - Vegetable sticks with hummus - Quinoa salad These sides add texture and balance to your meal. You can mix and match them based on what you have. For a full meal, try serving the salad in a sandwich. Enjoy the flavors together! You can find the full recipe for cranberry pecan chicken salad above. This blog post covered how to make a delicious chicken salad. We explored the best ingredients, measures, and substitutions. I shared step-by-step instructions to mix your salad and create a tasty yogurt dressing. You learned tips for flavor, meal prep, and serving ideas. We also discussed variations with different proteins and adaptations for dietary needs. Finally, I provided storage tips and answered common questions. Use these insights to make your meal prep easy and fun! Enjoy your chicken salad journey!

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Discover the refreshing taste of our Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Delight that's perfect for a light lunch or a picnic treat! Made with tender shredded chicken, crunchy pecans, and a creamy Greek yogurt dressing, this easy recipe combines sweet and savory flavors in every bite. Ready in just 45 minutes, it’s a quick meal you won't want to miss. Click through to explore the recipe and elevate your salad game today!
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Ingredients
  

2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded

1 cup celery, finely chopped

1/2 cup red onion, finely diced

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup pecans, chopped

1/2 cup Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions
 

In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, chopped celery, diced red onion, dried cranberries, and chopped pecans.

    In a separate small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, honey, and Dijon mustard until well blended.

      Pour the yogurt dressing over the chicken mixture.

        Gently fold the yogurt dressing into the chicken mixture until everything is well coated.

          Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting as needed.

            Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

              Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.

                Serve on a bed of leafy greens, in a sandwich, or with whole-grain crackers.

                  Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes | Servings: 4