Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

This flavorful Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad is one of my favorite easy lunches. Tender chicken, sweet dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, and celery are tossed with a creamy homemade dressing. Best of all, it takes about 5 minutes to put together!

I particularly love this as an easy lunch during a busy workday. You can use grilled chicken, leftover chicken, or even grab a rotisserie chicken to make it incredibly quick.

It's also a great recipe for meal prep since you can make it ahead and keep it chilled until you're ready to eat. Serve it on a bed of spinach, in lettuce wraps, or make chicken salad sandwiches. It's also easy to make a larger batch of chicken salad for a picnic, potluck, baby shower, or family gathering.

Ingredients

• Cooked Chicken - I prefer cubed grilled chicken breast, but shredded rotisserie chicken, leftover roast chicken, or cooked chicken thighs all work well.
• Dried Cranberries - Add little bursts of tart sweetness that pair perfectly with the savory chicken.
• Pecans - Roasted salted pecans give the salad plenty of crunch and more flavor than raw pecans. You can even use my smoked pecans.
• Celery - Adds fresh flavor and a nice crunch.
• Mayonnaise - Gives the dressing its rich, creamy texture. Any variety of mayo will work.
• Greek Yogurt - Plain Greek yogurt lightens up the dressing while keeping it creamy. You can substitute sour cream or use all mayonnaise if you prefer.
• Kosher Salt & Black Pepper - Season to taste.

See quantities in the recipe card.

How to Make Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

This easy recipe only takes about 5 minutes to make. 

Step One: Add all the ingredients to a large mixing bowl. 

Step Two: Toss the ingredients so they are combined with the dressing. 

Step Three: Season the chicken mixture to taste with salt and pepper. Serve.

Variations

The best chicken salad is the one you enjoy, so feel free to change this up to your personal preferences.

• Onions - If you enjoy onions, go ahead and add some chopped red onion or yellow onion to this along with the crunchy celery. Thinly sliced green onions work well too.
• Seasoning - Garlic powder, onion powder, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon pair nicely with the other flavors in this great recipe.
• Fresh Herbs - Fresh herbs are a wonderful addition. I particularly like fresh chopped basil in this salad. Rosemary or fresh tarragon are other great choices.
• Dried Fruit - Swap in dried cherries, blueberries, or raisins for the Craisins.
• Apples - Add chopped apple for even more sweetness and crunch. Tart Granny Smith apples work especially well with the dried cranberries.
• Grapes - Halved red or green grapes are another classic chicken salad addition.
• Dressing - If you want to save some time, add bottled poppy seed dressing in place of the homemade dressing I use. To enhance the flavor, add a little Dijon mustard or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a splash of apple cider vinegar.
• Nuts - Swap the pecans for walnuts or sliced almonds.
• Smoked Chicken - Swapping in Smoked Pulled Chicken adds so much flavor.

How to Serve Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

There are plenty of ways to turn this chicken salad into an easy lunch or dinner.

For a lighter meal, spoon it over fresh spinach or mixed greens or serve it in lettuce wraps. You can also pile it onto croissants, sandwich bread, or rolls for an easy chicken salad sandwich. You can even scoop it up with crackers for a quick snack.

Tortilla wraps work well too. Add avocado, lettuce, or cheese before rolling them up for a more filling meal.

Common Questions

Can I make this with leftover chicken?

Absolutely. Leftover grilled or roasted chicken works perfectly. You can also use rotisserie chicken or even leftover turkey. Starting with already-cooked chicken is what makes this such a quick meal.

Can I make cranberry pecan chicken salad ahead of time?

Yes. In fact, it's a great make-ahead lunch. Prepare the salad, cover it tightly, and keep it refrigerated until you're ready to serve.

If you're making it well in advance, you can reserve some of the pecans and add them just before serving for the best crunch.

How do I store chicken salad?

Transfer the chicken salad to an airtight container and refrigerate it promptly. Don't leave chicken salad sitting at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F.

That corrects the current post, which says one hour regardless of temperature.

How long does chicken salad last?

Store homemade chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator at 40°F or below and use it within 3–4 days.

I'd change your current 3–5 days to 3–4 days. That's a better food-safety recommendation for cooked chicken leftovers.

Can I freeze chicken salad?

I don't recommend it. Mayonnaise and Greek yogurt can separate after freezing and thawing, and the celery and pecans lose some of their texture. This one is much better made fresh or stored in the refrigerator for a few days.

Recipe

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Originally Published March 31, 2023. Revised and Republished September 15, 2026.