Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad: Fresh, Crunchy Favorite
Looking for a lunch that’s both tasty and healthy? This cranberry walnut chicken salad is exactly what you need! I make this all the time because it’s so quick and delicious.
The sweet cranberries pair perfectly with crunchy walnuts and tender chicken. Plus, the creamy dressing brings it all together in the best way. You can eat it in a sandwich, on crackers, or just by itself. It’s great for meal prep too!
This cranberry walnut chicken salad keeps me full and happy. Want to know the best part? It only takes 15 minutes to make from start to finish!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This salad is made with simple stuff that tastes wonderful together. Check the recipe card for the full ingredients list and amounts.
- Cooked Chicken Breast: This gives you protein and makes the salad filling and really satisfying for lunch.
- Dried Cranberries: These little gems add sweet and tart flavor plus a pretty color to your salad.
- Walnuts: Toasted walnuts give you that perfect crunch and nutty taste that makes everything better.
- Celery: Fresh celery adds crisp texture and a light flavor that balances the sweet cranberries nicely.
- Mayonnaise: Creamy mayo is the base of your dressing and holds everything together so well.
- Greek Yogurt: Tangy yogurt makes the dressing lighter and adds protein with a fresh, yummy taste.
- Dijon Mustard: Just a little mustard adds nice depth and a tiny bit of sharpness.
How to Make Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad
Making this salad is so easy! It takes less than fifteen minutes and barely any effort at all.
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Dice your cooked chicken into small pieces, about ½-inch cubes. Use 3 cups of chicken. I love using rotisserie chicken because it’s quick and tastes great!
Step 2: Toast the Walnuts
Toast 1 cup walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes until they smell amazing. Let them cool, then chop them up for perfect crunch.
Step 3: Chop the Vegetables
Dice 2 stalks of celery into small pieces for that nice crunch. You can add ¼ cup diced red onion, too, if you want extra flavor and bite.
Step 4: Make the Dressing
Whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup Greek yogurt, and 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard in your bowl. Add 1 tablespoon honey, salt, and pepper to make it taste perfect.
Step 5: Combine Everything
Add chicken, cranberries, walnuts, and celery to the dressing. Use 1 cup dried cranberries. Gently mix until everything is coated with that yummy creamy dressing.
Step 6: Chill and Serve
Refrigerate for 30 minutes so the flavors can get to know each other. Serve it over lettuce, in sandwiches, or with crackers for a delicious meal. YUM!
Tips for the Best Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad
Want to make this salad even better? Here are my best tips!
- Toast your walnuts for a special nutty flavor.
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time and get extra seasoning.
- Chill at least 30 minutes before serving so the flavors blend together nicely.
- Don’t add too much dressing at first because you can always add more.
- Store parts separately if making ahead, so everything stays fresh.
Variations and Substitutions
You can change this salad to fit what you like or what you have at home right now!
- Add fresh grapes cut in half for extra juicy sweetness and more fun texture in the salad.
- Swap pecans for walnuts if you like a buttery, mild nut flavor in your chicken salad instead.
- Use dried cherries instead of cranberries for a different sweet-tart taste that’s just as delicious and fun.
- Try apple chunks for fresh crunch and natural sweetness that goes so well with everything else.
Love fruity salads? You’ll also enjoy this tasty Christmas cranberry apple salad or this sweet cranberry fluff salad for your next party!
FAQs
Can I make this salad recipe ahead of time?
Yes, make it up to two days early and keep it covered in the fridge.
How long does cranberry walnut chicken salad last?
Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days maximum.
Can I freeze this salad?
No, freezing isn’t good because mayo separates, and veggies get watery when you thaw it.
What to serve with cranberry walnut chicken salad?
Serve on croissants, lettuce cups, crackers, or with fresh fruit for a complete, yummy meal.
Can I use canned chicken instead?
Yes, drained canned chicken works okay, but fresh chicken tastes better and has a nicer texture.
How do I prevent watery chicken salad?
Make sure the chicken is completely cooled and pat it dry before mixing to stop extra moisture.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes, use more mayo instead of Greek yogurt or try dairy-free alternatives for a creamy texture.
What type of walnuts should I use?
Raw walnut halves or pieces work great, just toast them first for the best flavor. ENJOY!!!
Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, diced (optional)
For the Dressing:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt, plain
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Toast walnuts in dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes until fragrant.
- Allow walnuts to cool completely, then roughly chop them into small pieces for the salad.
- Dice cooked chicken breast into half-inch cubes and place into your large mixing bowl now.
- Chop celery stalks and red onion finely, making sure pieces are same size for best texture.
- Whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, and honey in the mixing bowl until smooth.
- Season dressing with salt and black pepper, adjusting to your taste as you like it best.
- Add diced chicken, cranberries, toasted walnuts, celery, and onion to the dressing in the bowl.
- Gently fold all ingredients together until everything is evenly coated with the creamy dressing nicely.
- Cover salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend together.
- Serve chilled over lettuce, in sandwiches, wraps, or with your favorite crackers for a meal.
Notes
- Rotisserie chicken saves you time and adds extra yummy seasoning and flavor to the salad.
- Toast walnuts fresh each time for the best flavor because pre-toasted nuts lose their crunch fast.
- Change the sweetness by adding more or less honey depending on what you like best.
- Store in airtight container for up to three days and add more dressing gradually if needed.
- For meal prep, keep walnuts separate until you serve to keep them nice and crispy.
