Cranberry Chicken Salad

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This cranberry chicken salad is my go-to recipe when I need a quick, easy, and delicious way to use up leftover chicken or holiday turkey. It’s a combination of creamy crunchy textures and tart, savory, and zesty flavors, and because it’s better chilled, it’s a great make-ahead recipe too!

Cranberry chicken salad with pecans, celery, and red onion, in a creamy sauce served in a wooden bowl.

This cranberry chicken salad is similar to my chicken salad with grapes and pecans but with a fall twist! It combines the flavors of juicy chicken, tart cranberries, crisp celery, onions, and crunchy pecans in a creamy, zesty dressing.

It’s a great way to use leftover rotisserie chicken or cooked chicken breasts, but you can also make it a leftover turkey salad using leftover Thanksgiving turkey.

Close-up of cranberry chicken salad garnished with chopped peans, salt and pepper, ready to serve.

It tastes better once it has had time to chill and the flavors marry, so this chicken salad recipe can be made ahead. Serve it on buns or lettuce wraps, or scoop it up with crackers. We even love to eat it as is!

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • A deliciously creative way to use leftover turkey or chicken.
  • The flavors and textures combine the best of a classic chicken salad and the taste of the holidays.
  • It’s an easy recipe that comes together quickly using simple ingredients.

Ingredients for Chicken Cranberry Salad

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

All ingredients for cranberry chicken salad, including shredded chicken, craisins, chopped red onion, pecans, celery, and seasonings, labeled and displayed in bowls on the countertop.
  • Chicken or turkey – Use shredded or chopped chicken or turkey, whichever you have left over.
  • Dried cranberriesCraisins are a popular brand of dried cranberries found near the raisins at the grocery store. Walmart’s Great Value Dried Cranberries or Target’s generic are also good options.
  • Celery and onions – Crisp celery and red onions not only add flavor but an awesome crisp and refreshing texture that cuts through the creaminess.
  • Pecans – For a nutty crunch. You can also use walnuts, if preferred.
  • Mayo and sour cream – The combination gives the dressing a rich and creamy base. For a lighter option you can replace the sour cream with the same amount of plain Greek yogurt.
  • Dijon mustard – For zip!
  • Salt and pepper – To taste.
  • Fresh parsley – Optional, for garnish and a pop of color.

How to Make a Turkey Craisin Salad

This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below. 

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken or turkey, cranberries, chopped celery, and onions. If you’re using nuts, toss them in there too.

Shredded chicken, chopped celery, red onion, cranberries, and pecans mixed together for a cranberry chicken salad recipe.

Step 2: In a separate bowl, make the dressing by whisking the mayonnaise, sour cream, and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper and adjust as needed.

Creamy mayo and sour cream based dressing for chicken salad.

Step 3: Pour the dressing into the bowl with the salad contents. Use a rubber spatula to scrape all of that dressing out of the bowl. Toss everything together until the chicken mixture is coated in the dressing. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Chicken or turkey cranberry salad with pecans in a bowl, served with a wooden spoon, highlighting a perfect mix of flavors and textures.

Step 4: Garnish with parsley (if desired) and serve the salad on a bed of lettuce, in a sandwich, with crackers, or any way you like!

Pro Tip:

Chilling the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes is a must to give the flavors time to meld together and enhance the overall taste of the salad.

Storage

Store leftover cranberry chicken salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.

Cranberry chicken salad served on fresh lettuce, perfect for a light and flavorful meal.

Recipe Tips

  • If you are preparing it in advance, consider adding the nuts just before serving to maintain their crunch.
  • Double the recipe if you are serving a larger crowd. It is great for a potluck!
  • You can use leftover cooked chicken, rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken, or leftover Thanksgiving turkey. Shred or dice the chicken/turkey into bite-sized pieces.

Recipe variations

  • Customize the salad. Throw in additional ingredients like sliced grapes, diced apples, or chunks of avocado.
  • Add green onions. As a garnish or mixed into the salad. Fresh Dill would also be great.
  • Use only mayo. The combination of mayonnaise and sour cream (or Greek yogurt) gives the dressing a nice balance of creaminess. You can use 100% mayo though, if desired.
  • Swap the nuts. Instead of pecans, use walnuts or almonds.
  • Use raisins. If you happen to have raisins on hand, you can certainly go the more traditional route and use them.
Chicken Cranberry Salad with pecans surrounded by chopped red onions, celery, pecans, and other ingredients.

More Hearty Salad Recipes

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Cranberry chicken salad with pecans, celery, and red onion, in a creamy dressing served in a wooden bowl.
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Cranberry Chicken Salad

Author: Jaclyn
Prep: 10 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
This easy and delicious chicken salad recipe combines chicken or turkey with cranberries, pecans, and celery for the perfect mix of flavors. Enjoy over lettuce, in a sandwich, or with crackers!

Ingredients
 

  • 2 cups cooked chicken shredded or chopped, or turkey
  • ½ cup dried cranberries such as craisins
  • ½ cup chopped celery
  • ¼ cup chopped red onion
  • ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 Tablespoons sour cream or greek yogurt
  • 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • chopped fresh parsley optional garnish

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, stir to combine the shredded chicken or turkey, dried cranberries, chopped celery, red onion, and nuts.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk well to combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
  • Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss until well-coated.
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until serving.
  • Before serving, garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve the chicken cranberry salad on a bed of lettuce, in a sandwich, or with crackers.

Notes

  • You can use leftover cooked chicken, rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken, or even leftover thanksgiving turkey. Make sure the chicken/turkey is shredded or chopped into bite-sized pieces.
  • The combination of mayonnaise and sour cream (or Greek yogurt) gives the dressing a nice balance of creaminess. You can use 100% mayo though, if desired.
  • Allowing the salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes is essential. This gives the flavors time to meld together and enhances the overall taste of the salad.
  • Customize the salad with additional ingredients like sliced grapes, diced apples, or chunks of avocado.
  • Store any leftover chicken cranberry salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for 2-3 days. If you are preparing it in advance, consider adding the nuts just before serving to maintain their crunch.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 421kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 15g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 430mg | Potassium: 262mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 148IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg
Cranberry chicken salad with pecans, celery, and red onion, in a creamy dressing served in a wooden bowl.

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