Rating: 4.8/5
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
It’s a super simple recipe for those who want to have a tasty meal within 30 minutes with sweet-savory taste. This is where this Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad comes in handy!
Another yummy dish that has the taste of pecans, cranberries and tender chicken that is easy to prepare and makes perfect as a lunch meal, side dish or dinner dish.
History of Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
- Early Roots: The history of Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad , as a dish, can be traced back to the year 1863 according to the new light on Old Rhode Island: the story of chicken salad wherein a caterer mixed left over chicken with mayonnaise, much to his delight it sold immediately.
- Popularity in America: Chicken salad was one of the familiar American dishes by early twentieth century complemented fruits and nuts can also be used.
- Pecans and Cranberries: This combines cranberries and pecans to chicken salad as a modern touch, improving on the taste of what is now a seasonal addition to the usual chicken salad ingredients.
Read more: Chicken Salad Recipe With Apples: A Better Way To Enjoy Your Salad
Ingredients for Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced (rotisserie chicken works perfectly)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup pecans, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise(or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional for extra sweetness)
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lettuce leaves or bread rolls (optional, for serving)
Steps to Make This Easy Pecan Chicken Salad
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
If adding any cooked chicken, the chicken should be shredded, or chopped into small cubes. Using rotisserie chicken is preferable for the taste, but you can bake, poach, grill chicken breasts as well.
Step 2: Chop the Ingredients
The pecans, celery, red onion and parsley should be minced, or chopped into small pieces. Measure out the cranberries and then prepping all the ingredients and leave it aside.
Step 3: Make the Dressing
In a large bowl whisk the mayonnaise with the Dijon mustard, honey (if using) salt and pepper. Cranberry pecan chicken Salad dressing This will make a base dressing for the salad.
Step 4: Combine Everything
The next step is to mix the chopped chicken, cranberries, pecans, celery and red onto the dressing placed in the bowl. Mix all gently ensuring that the ingredients are well coated with the dressing.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving and enjoy it warm, especially, on top of lettuce or include into sandwiches/wraps.
Step 6: Chill (Optional)
If you want to achieve the best results and the different taste combinations to marinate well, the salad should be chilled for 30 minutes. But it can be consumed immediately if you are in a hurry.
Nutritional Value (Per Serving) of Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Protein: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Sugars: 9g
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Tips for the Perfect Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Pecan-crusted lean breast of chicken whose tenders are dipped in buttermilk and spiced creamy grits that has a ‘pop’ of fresh juicy chicken, crunchy pecans and good, hot, ‘clean ‘oil.
- Adjust the Sweetness: If you want a slightly less sweet dessert avoid adding honey and use fewer cranberries.
- Make It Creamier: To add some more thickness to your dressing, then add more of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt.
- Storage Tip: It will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days so it’s very handy for planning ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
- As for all salad recipes, the question often arises: can this salad be prepared in advance?
Yes! Actually, preparing this salad several hours before serving is preferred because it tastes even better when the ingredients have steamed or marinated well. The only thing you need to know is that it should be stored in the refrigerator.
- What is the best nut that I can replace pecans or other nuts with?
Substitutions for pecans are walnuts or almonds but if you do not like pecans, you can exclude it from the salad. They, too, give a pleasant crispness, and mesh well with the cranberries and chicken.
- Could I use fresh cranberries to do this rather then boiled dried cranberries?
You can of course use fresh cranberries; however, they are quite sour, so this means that you may want to add more honey or a sweetener.
This cranberry pecan chicken salad is yet another filling and delicious dish which combines crunchy and sweet ingredients to everyone’s taste. From a snack to share with family to entertaining your guest this salad is a staple that can be prepared any time of the year. Besides, with high nutrients density as well as being very simple to cook, it’s a valuable food to include in your weekly meals!
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