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- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded - 1/2 cup dried cranberries - 1/3 cup walnuts, chopped - 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard - 1 tablespoon honey - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder - 1 head of romaine or butter lettuce, separated into leaves To create my Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps, I gather simple yet tasty ingredients. The chicken breast gives a solid base. You can use shredded chicken from your last meal or cook it fresh. Dried cranberries add a sweet touch. They balance the savory flavor of the chicken. Chopped walnuts bring a lovely crunch and richness. They are full of good fats and nutrients. Plain Greek yogurt serves as a creamy binder. It is healthier than regular mayo. The addition of mayonnaise gives it extra creaminess. Dijon mustard adds a nice zing, while honey sweetens the mix. I always season with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. They enhance the flavors and round out the dish. Finally, the romaine or butter lettuce wraps hold this delightful filling. The lettuce adds a fresh, crisp bite. This mix of flavors and textures makes for a satisfying meal. Plus, it’s light and healthy, perfect for any time of day. {{ingredient_image_1}} - Combine the chicken, cranberries, and walnuts Start by placing 2 cups of shredded chicken in a large bowl. Add in 1/2 cup of dried cranberries and 1/3 cup of chopped walnuts. Mix well so that everything blends nicely. - Prepare the dressing mixture In another bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, and 1 tablespoon of honey. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder. Mix until smooth. - Combine the dressing with the chicken mixture Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture. Stir everything together until all the pieces are coated well. This step adds flavor and creaminess to the chicken. - Taste and adjust seasoning After mixing, taste the salad. You can add more salt or pepper if needed. For a crunchier texture, feel free to toss in some finely chopped celery or apple. - How to assemble the lettuce wraps Take a head of romaine or butter lettuce and separate the leaves. Place a generous scoop of the chicken salad on each leaf. Be sure to fill them up nicely. - Best ways to present them for guests Arrange the lettuce wraps on a big platter. You can garnish with extra cranberries or walnuts for a pop of color. This makes a great light meal or appetizer that everyone will love. To shred chicken efficiently, I like to use two forks. Hold one fork steady and pull the chicken apart with the other fork. This method gives you nice, even shreds. You can also use your hands if the chicken is cooled enough. For extra crunch, try adding finely chopped celery or diced apple. Both options bring a fresh flavor and texture. You can also mix in some chopped bell peppers or even crunchy seeds for more variety. To store leftovers, place the chicken salad in an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to keep the lettuce crisp, store it separately. For meal prep, make the chicken salad ahead of time. Pack it in small containers with a side of lettuce. This way, you have a quick and healthy meal ready to go. Just assemble the wraps when you're ready to eat. Pro Tips Use Rotisserie Chicken: For a quick and easy preparation, use store-bought rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own. Add Fresh Herbs: Enhance the flavor of your chicken salad by adding fresh herbs like parsley or dill for a burst of freshness. Experiment with Nuts: If walnuts aren’t your favorite, try substituting with pecans or almonds for a different flavor and texture. Make it Ahead: Prepare the chicken salad in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for a quick meal option. {{image_2}} You can swap out Greek yogurt and mayonnaise. If you want a lighter option, try sour cream or avocado. Both give a creamy texture. You can also use plant-based yogurt for a dairy-free choice. When it comes to nuts, walnuts are great, but you can use pecans or almonds instead. For dried fruits, raisins or chopped apples work well. Each option adds a unique flavor to the dish. You can make this dish gluten-free easily. Just ensure the mayonnaise and any other sauces are gluten-free. Serve it in lettuce leaves, and it’s a perfect meal for gluten-sensitive folks. For vegetarian options, you can replace chicken with chickpeas or tofu. Both options provide protein and make this dish hearty. You can still enjoy the same great taste! Each serving of Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps contains about 300 calories. The main ingredients contribute to this total. The chicken adds protein, and the cranberries give natural sweetness. Walnuts provide healthy fats and crunch. Greek yogurt adds creaminess while keeping calories lower than regular mayo. Here’s a quick breakdown of the nutrients: - Cooked chicken breast: High in protein, low in fat. - Dried cranberries: Source of antioxidants and fiber. - Walnuts: Packed with omega-3 fatty acids. - Greek yogurt: Offers protein and probiotics. Walnuts and cranberries offer great health perks. Walnuts help your heart. They can lower bad cholesterol levels. They also support brain health with healthy fats. Cranberries are good for your urinary tract. They can help prevent infections. Using Greek yogurt instead of mayo is smart. Greek yogurt is lower in fat and high in protein. It also has probiotics, which are good for digestion. These ingredients make your meal not only tasty but also nutritious. Enjoy these wraps knowing they support your health! Yes, rotisserie chicken works great. It saves time and adds flavor. Just shred it before mixing. You can store the salad mix in the fridge for about three days. Keep it in a sealed container to stay fresh. Absolutely! You can make it a day in advance. Just mix everything but the lettuce. These wraps pair well with fresh fruit or a light soup. You can also serve them with a side salad. This recipe makes four servings. It's perfect for a small gathering or a family meal. In this blog post, you learned about making delicious cranberry walnut chicken salad lettuce wraps. We covered the key ingredients, detailed steps, and serving tips. Understanding how to store leftovers and variations made this recipe flexible. Remember, you can customize it to fit dietary needs. I hope you enjoy making these wraps. They are not only tasty but also healthy! With simple changes, you can make this dish your own. Enjoy your cooking journey!

Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps

A fresh and light chicken salad wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves, perfect for a healthy meal or appetizer.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/3 cup walnuts, chopped
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 head romaine or butter lettuce, separated into leaves

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, dried cranberries, and chopped walnuts.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until smooth.
  • Pour the yogurt mixture over the chicken mixture and stir until everything is well combined.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. For extra crunch, you can add finely chopped celery or apple.
  • To serve, lay out the lettuce leaves on a platter. Spoon a generous amount of the chicken salad mixture onto each leaf.
  • Carefully wrap the lettuce around the filling and enjoy immediately as a fresh, light meal or appetizer.

Notes

For extra crunch, you can add finely chopped celery or apple.
Keyword chicken salad, healthy, lettuce wraps