Description
Savory cranberry pecan chicken salad brings Mediterranean flavors to life with crisp greens and tender chicken. Tangy dried cranberries and crunchy pecans create a delightful balance you’ll crave at every lunch gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 1/4 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Poach or grill chicken breast at 165°F until thoroughly cooked, ensuring no pink remains in the center. Cool chicken completely before transforming into bite-sized fragments.
- Dice cooled chicken into uniform pieces, creating consistent texture throughout the salad mixture.
- Finely chop red onion and celery to provide crisp, delicate crunch against tender chicken pieces.
- Combine diced chicken, cranberries, and pecans in a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Whisk Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and fresh lemon juice in a separate container until smooth and well-integrated.
- Season dressing with kosher salt and cracked black pepper, adjusting flavors to personal preference.
- Drizzle prepared dressing over salad components, gently folding to coat every morsel without crushing delicate ingredients.
- Refrigerate salad for minimum 30 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize and develop complex taste profile.
- Prior to serving, garnish with freshly chopped parsley or delicate chive snippets for enhanced visual appeal and subtle herbaceous notes.
- Serve chilled as a refreshing, protein-packed meal or elegant side dish.
Notes
- Boost protein by using extra Greek yogurt for a creamier, more protein-packed version that supports muscle recovery and keeps you fuller longer.
- Swap mayo with mashed avocado for a heart-healthy alternative that adds rich, creamy texture and provides good monounsaturated fats.
- Create a low-carb option by serving the salad over crisp lettuce leaves instead of bread, reducing overall carbohydrate intake while maintaining delicious flavor profile.
- Enhance meal prep efficiency by cooking and shredding chicken in advance, storing separately from other ingredients to maintain optimal texture and prevent sogginess.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg