Published: · Modified: by Allison · 65 Comments
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Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad – Easy chicken salad filled with tender chicken, dried cranberries, walnuts, apples, celery, dill, and parsley.Forahealthier option, you can use Greek yogurtin the dressingand serve the chicken salad on lettuceinstead of bread. VIDEO BELOW!
As the weather heats up in Arizona, I start cravingeasy no-cook meals. Every weekend I do our grocery shopping for the upcoming week, and I always pick up a rotisserie chicken. Between soup, chili, sandwiches, or salads, I always find a way to use the chicken during the week. Lately we have been using rotisserie chicken for this this easy Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad.
Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad
This is my personal favorite version of chicken salad. It includesdried cranberries, toasted walnuts, chopped apple or celery, and just a touch of dill and parsley. The dressing is made from mayo, sour cream or Greek yogurt, and a splash of fresh lemon juice.
This recipe can easily be made lighter/healthier by using Greek yogurt and by serving the chicken salad in lettuce cups or over mixed greens. It’s a fairly low carb recipe (except for the dried cranberries), so for people who try to watch their carb intake, this is a great high protein meal. Note: Full nutrition facts below.
Tips for making Cranberry Chicken Salad
- Take a shortcut with a rotisserie chicken.
- Prefer to cook the chicken yourself? I love this recipe.
- Adjust the seasoning to suit your taste (I like extra dill and black pepper in mine).
- Use toasted nuts (so much flavor!). This recipe calls for walnuts, but pecans or pistachios would be a great substitute.
- Don’t have dried cranberries? I have also used dried cherries and raisins with success.
- If you’re out of sour cream you can try one of these Sour Cream Substitutes.
How do you like to eat your chicken salad? On bread? With crackers? In lettuce cups? Sometimes I just steal bites from the fridge right off a fork. Since this is a high protein, fairly low-carb meal, I can eat it guilt free. And just in time for bathing suit season. 😉
However you decide to eat it I know that you will love it! Extra points if you get to enjoy it while sitting outside on a beautiful,warmday.
You might also like: HEALTHY LUNCH IDEAS– CHICKEN RICE SOUP –TORTELLINI SALAD
Recipe
Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad
Easy chicken salad filled with tender chicken, dried cranberries, walnuts, apples, celery, dill, and parsley. For a healthier option, you can use Greek yogurt in the dressing and serve the chicken salad on lettuce instead of bread.
5 from 44 votes
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Course: main, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 - 6
Calories: 318kcal
Author: Allison - Celebrating Sweets
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, I prefer light sour cream or lowfat yogurt
- 1 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon minced flat leaf parsley
- ¼ teaspoon dried dill
- 3 cups chopped or shredded cooked chicken, I use white meat from a rotisserie chicken
- ½ cup finely chopped celery or finely chopped apple
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup chopped toasted walnuts, see note
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
In a large bowl, whisk mayonnaise, sour cream or yogurt, lemon juice, parsley, and dill. Add remaining ingredients and stir until combined. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve chilled on bread or lettuce.
Video
Notes
To toast walnuts: Place walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes, until fragrant and toasted. Watch them carefully so they don't burn. Cool before adding to the chicken salad.
Nutrition
Calories: 318kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 168mg | Potassium: 169mg | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 130IU | Vitamin C: 1.2mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 0.8mg
Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
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Comments
Joyce
DeliciousReply
B
This looks amazing. Would you happen to know the shelf life? 🙂
Reply
Allison
We always eat it within 3 days. Enjoy!
Reply
Danica
I added a splash if cider vinegar and sprinkle of sugar to the dressing. Yum!Reply
Allison
That sounds great! Enjoy!
Claire
Wonderful chicken salad, but I doubled the cranberries.Reply
Allison
Great! Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Reply
Lisa Speer-Huet
outstandingReply
Lea
My wife and I love this recipe. It’s a must for spring and summer but we eat it year round. We also use apples and celery. We’re wild like that. Thanks for the recipe. It’s greatReply
Allison
You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Reply
Jan
Apples AND celery! And I use a dash of curry powder.Reply
Elizabeth Ann Sullivan-Ford
Delicious…Reply
Cecil Mosby
This is awesome and will definitely be served for both Thanksgiving and Christmas as an appetizer.Reply
Allison
I’m so glad! Enjoy!
Reply
Amanda
Never buying store made ever again!Reply
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Hi, I'm Allison! I'm a busy wife and mom with a passion for cooking and baking. This is where you'll find my favorite homemade recipes, designed to help you make every day delicious! Read more....
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