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You are here: Home / Fall Recipes / Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

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Many holiday celebrations happen at dinner time. Many recipes therefor are for dinner meals. What about lunchtime recipes? This festive cranberry pecan chicken salad is a perfect choice for your lunchtime festivities!

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad is festive enough for your holiday menu.

Cranberry Chicken Salad is a perfect dish for a lunch time holiday party

I love to add different ingredients into chicken salad.  Sweet and salty combos are the best!  This particular recipe is perfect for the holidays not only because of the flavor, but also the colors.

Most of our family holiday celebrations happen at dinner time.  Rarely are we together for lunch.  On Christmas Day we are usually driving around lunchtime between my hubby’s parent’s home and my parent’s home.  We eat breakfast so late at my in-law’s house there is no way lunch is going to be consumed.  But what if you have a gathering at lunchtime and want salads and sandwiches instead of hot food?

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Combining the flavors of the holiday and winter season is a great option.  What says Fall/Winter more than cranberries and pecans?  These ingredients also add an interesting texture and flavor combination to chicken salad. The colors are pretty too, which is a bonus.

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Tips to make cranberry pecan chicken salad.

  • You can easily make chicken salad with a store-made rotisserie chicken or cook your own chicken.
  • I cook chicken breast in chicken broth over the stove top.
  • This batch only used two large chicken breasts, but you can get about 8-10 1/2 cup servings out of the recipe.
  • You can use Greek yogurt in place of half the mayonnaise in order to decrease the fat content.

For other Holiday recipe suggestions check out my Christmas Cheer Pinterest board.

Here are a few other lunchtime suggestions:

Caprese Salad

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Cosi’s Signature Salad

Zucchini Caprese Salad

Apple Walnut Salad.

Cranberry Chicken Salad is a perfect dish for a lunch time holiday party

5 from 2 votes
Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad
Print
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
 

This cranberry pecan chicken salad is perfect for a holiday lunch.

Course: Lunch
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Calories: 228 kcal
Author: Jennifer Pullman
Ingredients
  • 2 large chicken breasts cooked and shredded
  • 2 stalks of celery diced
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 3/4 cup low calorie mayonnaise or mayonnaise of your choice
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper.
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl combine chicken, celery, onion, cranberries, and pecans.
  2. Stir to combine.
  3. Add into chicken salad mayonnaise, salt, and pepper.
  4. Mix well.
  5. Serve on a bed of lettuce or small club rolls.
Nutrition Facts
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Amount Per Serving (0.25 cups)
Calories 228 Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 21mg 7%
Sodium 234mg 10%
Potassium 213mg 6%
Total Carbohydrates 17g 6%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Sugars 11g
Protein 7g 14%
Vitamin A 1.5%
Vitamin C 1.9%
Calcium 2%
Iron 3.1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

I prefer chicken salad served on a bed of lettuce, but don’t mind a good roll or toasted wheat bread either.  How do you enjoy chicken salad? Let me know in the comments below.

Cranberry Chicken Salad is a perfect dish for a lunch time holiday party

Similar recipes you may enjoy!

Protein-packed leftover turkey salad

Summer Chicken Salad

Apple Harvest Salad with Apple Dijon Vinaigrette

Items you may need: (affiliate links)


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About Jennifer Lynn-Pullman

Jennifer Pullman MA, RDN, LDN is a Registered Dietitian and mom. By day Jen works with weight loss surgery patients and by night manages two blogs. Jen believes that eating healthy does not need to be confusing or expensive. Her mission is to take the confusion of eating healthy by sharing simple recipes and nutrition tips for healthy living. For the latest updates follow Jen of Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook.

If you are interested in Weight Loss Surgery head over to Bariatric Bits.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Paige Wolf

    December 16, 2015 at 2:47 pm

    Yum! I would do this with avocado mayo!

    Reply
  2. Lauren @ Hall Nesting

    December 16, 2015 at 5:27 pm

    Love the festive take on a classic!

    Reply
  3. Des @ Life's Ambrosia

    December 16, 2015 at 6:19 pm

    I love this twist on chicken salad! The cranberries add fun color!

    Reply
  4. Ramona W

    December 16, 2015 at 7:10 pm

    I love the crunch and sweet with this savory chicken salad!! I would love it. 🙂

    Reply
  5. Nutmeg Nanny

    December 17, 2015 at 12:42 am

    I love pecans in my chicken salad to I would be all over this. Plus cranberries…oh yes!

    Reply
  6. Cynthia/What A Girl Eats

    December 17, 2015 at 1:19 am

    I love any kind of chicken salad with chicken, nuts and fruit! This is a winner for me!

    Reply
  7. Julie @ Willow Bird Baking

    December 18, 2015 at 11:57 pm

    I LOVE cranberries in chicken salad! Yum!!

    Reply
  8. Julie

    April 26, 2017 at 1:47 am

    HAVE ALREADY MADE THIS FOUR TIMES,!
    I had never made chicken salad but this looked delicious so I bravely made it doubting very much my husband would like it! Well, he LOVES IT!!! He has requested it a couple times now. We just eat about half cup to a cup out of a little bowl or with ritz crackers. I also add a half an apple. I slice it about 1/8 inch thick, cut slices in half lengthwise then finely chop it and mix in! It’s better if it sits all day or overnight!

    Reply
    • Jennifer Lynn-Pullman

      April 26, 2017 at 12:07 pm

      So glad you like the recipe, Julie. Thanks for the comment.

      Reply
  9. Wedding DJ Plano

    February 16, 2018 at 12:09 am

    Chicken salad is my fav! I love adding fruit and nuts to it – such a great combo. I can’t wait to try your version!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Tea Party Fit For A Queen – Always LaTonya says:
    May 24, 2016 at 4:53 am

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  2. Tea Party Fit For A Queen – Always LaTonya says:
    May 24, 2016 at 4:53 am

    […] Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad Finger Sandwiches […]

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  3. Back to Work Lunch Ideas | Luvo says:
    September 6, 2016 at 6:01 pm

    […] Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad from Nourished Simply. […]

    Reply
  4. Summer Chicken Salad says:
    May 26, 2017 at 9:33 pm

    […] you’re looking for other chicken salad variations check out my Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad. This recipe is one of the most popular recipes on Nourished Simply and one of the most pinned […]

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Jennifer Pullman and welcome to Nourished Simply! I am a mom of 2, foodie, and Registered Dietitian since 2001. So many of my patients and clients think that eating healthy is hard. There is so much information available today that is mixed and leads to a lot of confusion and frustration. It's my mission to help take the confusion out of eating healthy and to help you and your family enjoy a healthy and nutritious life! Read More…

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